‘BRAK VS BRAK’ Is Brbko going head to head with himself (and winning)

Lewisham-based MC and producer Brbko (Brak) gets introspective on his first release of 2025. ‘BRAK VS BRAK’ is a bold declaration of his individuality and stands as a testament to his commitment to carving out his own lane.

The title takes its cue from an episode of Samurai Jack, in which the hero battles an evil clone of himself—or rather, the darkness within. “It’s easy to blame our surroundings for our demons,” Brbko explains. “But, like the track itself, mine are of my own production.” He channels the chaos around him into something productive, using it to explore his inner battles while pushing the boundaries of his sound and storytelling.

The production walks a fine line between minimalism and maximalism, drawing on grime and electronic influences in a way few others can. Hats and percs rattle through unpredictable pockets of rhythm while glossy, effects-drenched synths build layers around a skeletal beat. All that’s left is for Brbko to slot his verses in with precision. The result? An alt-rap earworm destined for repeat spins.

‘BRAK VS BRAK’ is just the warm-up. The Manchester-born artist’s got an EP loading and he’s already been shutting down stages across the globe. If this is how he’s kicking off 2025, we’re all in for something special.

Alongside this single release, Brbko will play Ormside Projects alongside Anysia Kym, Niall Ashley and Mike Midnight on May 8th. You can get tickets for the show here. And you can listen to ‘BRAK VS BRAK’ here.

Words by Louis Rowland