Bree Runway
Brenda Wireko Mensah (born 18 November 1992), known professionally as Bree Runway, is a British singer, rapper, and songwriter of Ghanaian descent raised in Hackney, East London.[1][2] Emerging from a DIY background influenced by early 2000s MTV and local grime scenes, she began self-releasing tracks in 2016 before signing with EMI Records in 2018.[2][3] Runway's debut commercial EP, Be Runway (2019), showcased her provocative fusion of hyperpop, hip hop, R&B, and experimental elements, with artwork and lyrics explicitly addressing personal experiences of colorism and discrimination.[4][3] Her 2020 mixtape 2000AND4EVA marked a breakthrough, blending noughties pop nostalgia with trap and guitar-driven sounds, and featuring a collaboration with Missy Elliott on the single "ATM", which highlighted her genre-defying approach and drew acclaim for innovation amid industry barriers for Black female artists.[2][5] Nominated for the BBC Sound of 2021 poll, she has since contributed to remixes like Lady Gaga's "Babylon" and appeared in videos for artists including Chlöe, while maintaining a bold aesthetic that challenges conventional pop norms.[6] In 2024, Runway parted ways with EMI after five years, citing inadequate promotion, withheld payments, and dismissive responses to her concerns as factors in the split, opting for independence to retain creative control despite financial setbacks.[7] Her work consistently emphasizes self-determination and critiques structural biases in music, positioning her as a voice for underrepresented perspectives in mainstream genres.[8][9]Personal background
Early life
Brenda Wireko Mensah, known professionally as Bree Runway, was born on 18 November 1992 in Hackney, London, England.[10] [11] Of Ghanaian descent and raised by Ghanaian parents in the local area known as "Murder Mile" for its elevated crime rates, she grew up in a challenging environment that fostered resilience and assertiveness.[12] [13] Mensah has credited her upbringing in Hackney with developing her "thick skin" and teaching her to stand by her voice amid adversity.[13] Her Ghanaian heritage played a formative role in shaping her creative outlook, infusing elements of cultural DNA into her artistic expression from an early age.[14] The artist's stage name originated from a cousin's nickname, reflecting personal family influences during her childhood.[15]Career
2015–2019: Career beginnings and Be Runway
Bree Runway initiated her solo recording career in late 2015 with the self-released extended play RNWY 01, a project primarily produced by Nastylgia featuring candid lyrics over experimental beats.[16] This debut, distributed digitally without major label backing, marked her transition from earlier informal online music sharing—begun around age 17 during music technology studies—to structured releases.[6] She followed with the Bouji EP in May 2016, expanding on themes of luxury and self-assurance across five tracks, again self-produced with Nastylgia's involvement.[17] These independent efforts, alongside live performances including support slots for acts like Years & Years, helped cultivate a grassroots following in London's underground scene.[18] By 2018, Runway's momentum led to a signing with Virgin EMI Records, a pivotal shift from DIY distribution to commercial infrastructure.[9] She presented label executives with a detailed pitch deck outlining her artistic identity, emphasizing visual and sonic elements that blended rap, pop, and hyperpop influences.[9] This deal positioned her for wider exposure, though initial output remained selective as she refined her sound. The label era commenced with the Be Runway EP, released on August 16, 2019, comprising five tracks including lead single "2ON" and "X2C," totaling approximately 13 minutes. Clocking in at a runtime suited to streaming platforms, the project showcased polished production and Runway's versatile delivery, bridging her independent roots with industry resources.[19] It represented her first major-label release, prioritizing high-energy pop-rap anthems over the raw experimentation of prior EPs.2020–2022: Breakthrough with 2000and4Eva and Woah, What a Blur!
In March 2020, Bree Runway released the single "APESHIT", which garnered positive attention for its energetic production and potential as a mainstream hit.[20] [21] The track's accompanying video teaser amassed over 100,000 views within hours of launch, signaling early momentum amid the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.[22] On November 6, 2020, Runway issued her debut mixtape 2000AND4EVA through Universal Music Group and EMI Records, comprising nine tracks spanning hip-hop, pop, rock, and reggae influences over 21 minutes.[23] Key collaborations included Missy Elliott on "ATM", Yung Baby Tate on "DAMN DANIEL", and Maliibu Miitch on "GUCCI", enhancing its assertive and genre-fluid appeal.[24] Critics praised the project for its bold, belligerent yet vulnerable tone, versatile experimentation that avoided incoherence, and focus on Black womanhood in pop, positioning Runway as an emerging pop force.[23] The mixtape propelled Runway's visibility, culminating in her win for Best New International Act at the 2021 BET Awards and a nomination for the BBC Sound of 2021 poll.[25] Her profile surged through high-profile endorsements, including topping the NME 100 list for 2022, which highlighted her ambition to reshape pop with dramatic, boundary-pushing output.[8] Runway also received a nomination for the 2022 Brit Awards' Rising Star category, reflecting industry recognition of her rapid ascent.[26] In December 2022, Runway surprise-dropped the five-track EP WOAH, WHAT A BLUR! via EMI, clocking in at 11 minutes and featuring Stormzy on the Afropop-infused "Pick Your Poison".[27] The release incorporated Baltimore club rhythms alongside slower, introspective elements, described by Runway as capturing a personally and professionally disorienting year.[28] Reviews commended its genre-hopping creativity and replay value, particularly tracks like the previously issued "THAT GIRL" from September 2022, affirming Runway's ongoing innovation amid rising demand for live performances.[27]2023: Touring and label tensions
In early 2023, Bree Runway served as an opening act for Lizzo's Special Tour, performing at venues including the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin on February 28 and the Mediolanum Forum in Assago, Italy, on March 2.[29][30] She also headlined a solo concert at the O2 Forum Kentish Town in London on April 6, where she performed tracks including "All Night," "Pick Your Poison," and "That Girl."[31][32] These appearances marked continued momentum from her 2022 mixtape Woah, What a Blur!, though setlist data indicates a limited number of live shows that year, focusing on high-profile support slots rather than an extensive headline tour.[33] Tensions with EMI Records, her label since 2018, intensified during 2023 amid creative and operational disagreements. Runway later described the label's push for "softer" collaborations and hit-oriented tracks—such as potential features with artists like Stormzy or Khalid—as misaligned with her experimental style, leading to rejections of her proposed edgier material like "That Girl."[7] She cited frequent staff turnover, including a new president and loss of key A&R personnel, alongside budget constraints and subpar marketing efforts, such as delayed releases and low-effort artwork, as exacerbating factors that left her feeling unsupported and scolded for raising concerns.[7] These issues, compounded by what Runway perceived as industry biases requiring young Black women to "fight 10x harder" for resources, prompted her exit from the label in June 2023.[7][34] On July 3, 2023, Runway publicly announced her departure via social media, declaring herself independent and emphasizing the decision as optimal for her career to escape the "rat race mentality" of label-driven production.[35][34] She attributed the split to exhaustion from systemic industry struggles rather than specific contractual breaches, prioritizing artistic freedom and personal well-being over continued major-label affiliation.[34]2024–present: Split from EMI and independent releases
In July 2023, Bree Runway announced her departure from EMI Records, with which she had signed in 2018, citing creative constraints after five years under the label.[7][36] She reflected on the split in a June 2024 interview, stating that while it resulted in financial losses, missed opportunities, and a decline in social media followers, it granted her unprecedented artistic freedom, describing the prior major-label experience as akin to wearing a "straightjacket."[7] Transitioning to independence, Runway established her own imprint, Free Runway Records, to self-fund and release new music. Her first independent single, "Just Like That," arrived on June 14, 2024, marking a return after a year-long hiatus and emphasizing themes of resilience and self-determination.[37][38] This was followed by "PAWZ" on August 29, 2024, her second self-released track, produced with an industrial hip-hop edge and accompanied by a visualizer.[39][40] In 2025, Runway continued her independent output with "EAT IN SILENCE," a performance for COLORS SHOW released on February 24, and additional singles including "2BADGYALZ."[41] Her debut studio album, +233 WORLDWIDE!, was issued on April 17, 2025, comprising six tracks that blend pop-rap and Afrobeats influences, self-distributed digitally via Free Runway Records.[42][43] These releases underscore her shift toward full creative control, funded independently without major-label backing.[7]Artistry
Musical style
Bree Runway's musical style is defined by its genre-fluid eclecticism, fusing pop, hip-hop, R&B, and rock into high-energy, maximalist compositions that prioritize immediacy and innovation.[8] Her tracks often feature rapid stylistic shifts, from pounding bass-driven beats to electronic shimmers and dramatic vocal layers, creating a sound that defies conventional categorization while maintaining a polished, arena-scale sheen.[27] This approach draws from her self-taught production skills, honed through studies in music technology, enabling DIY experimentation that results in dense, idea-overflowing arrangements.[8] Vocally, Runway alternates between melodic rapping, singing, and stylized Auto-Tune effects, delivering confident flows with stacked harmonies and theatrical swoops that enhance the tracks' dynamic range.[8] In her earlier work, such as the 2019 single "Apeshit," she blends millennium-era R&B futurism with nu-metal aggression, while later releases incorporate hyperpop's frenetic energy and Baltimore club rhythms, as heard in "That Girl" from the 2022 EP Woah, What a Blur!.[44] [27] Slower, confessional moments, like the Afropop-inflected "Pick Your Poison" featuring Stormzy, showcase her ability to pivot to intimate, bass-heavy grooves without losing momentum.[27] This boundary-pushing versatility extends to explorations of electronic and global sounds, including warm synth-driven ballads reminiscent of D’Angelo and Jai Paul-inspired pop introspection, underscoring Runway's reputation as a "pop polymath" unbound by UK genre norms like Afrobeats or drill.[27] [45] Her freestyling roots over diverse YouTube instrumentals—from drill to Latin trap—further inform this adaptive, high-octane delivery, evident in live performances that span hip-hop aggression to stadium-rock bombast.[44][46]Influences and lyrical themes
Bree Runway's musical influences draw from a wide array of genres and eras, reflecting her genre-fluid approach that blends pop, rap, trap, and hyperpop elements. She has frequently referenced early 2000s pop icons such as Britney Spears, particularly inspired by the innovative music video for "I'm a Slave 4 U" (2001), which featured cutting-edge production and collaborations like Pharrell Williams.[47][5] Similarly, Missy Elliott serves as a major influence, evident in Runway's 2020 collaboration with her on "ATM," where Elliott contributed verses praising Runway's style and energy.[5][48] Her influences extend to non-mainstream and cultural roots, including Ghanaian highlife artists like Daddy Lumba for percussive rhythms, as well as 1970s funk pioneers Zapp for vocoder techniques, soca, and calypso from Trinidad.[5] Childhood exposure to her parents' tastes—such as Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel, Kate Bush, Queen from her mother, and African heavy instrumental music from her father—further shaped her eclectic palette, alongside admiration for Grace Jones' persona and early grime from Wiley.[47][48] Runway has also expressed fandom for contemporary boundary-pushers like Lil Nas X, Lizzo, and Doja Cat, who redefine pop norms, and even emo acts like The Used during her youth.[48] Lyrically, Runway's work often explores themes of materialism, sexuality, and empowerment, as seen in tracks like "ATM" (2020), which juxtaposes images of wealth and opulence with provocative chants about desire and control.[47] Her content frequently delves into the complexities of modern dating and romance, with songs such as "HOT HOT" (2021) examining attraction and relational dynamics, and "Somebody Like You" (2022) serving as an emotive ode to an idealized future partner.[47] Personal vulnerability emerges in confessional narratives addressing bullying, racism, sexism, and body image issues like skin-bleaching experiences, positioning her lyrics as cathartic social commentary that challenges stereotypes faced by Black women in music.[48] Tributes like "Nicole Thea & Baby Reign" (2020) introduce themes of grief and loss, honoring the late influencer and her child with raw emotional depth.[47] Overall, Runway's themes emphasize resilience and self-assertion, rejecting rigid genre labels to celebrate multifaceted Black female experiences.[48]Public image and reception
Critical reception
Bree Runway's releases have garnered acclaim from music critics for their genre-blending innovation, high-energy delivery, and unapologetic flair, often highlighting her ability to fuse rap, pop, and electronic elements into what she terms "destructive pop." Her 2019 debut EP Be Runway was noted for its electrifying mix of pop, rap, and hyperpop, establishing her as a versatile newcomer with bold flows and contrasting beats.[49][50] The 2020 mixtape 2000and4Eva received strong praise for its fearless experimentation across styles like reggae-infused tracks and nostalgic bangers, avoiding a "sonic mishmash" while proving her command of pop's kingdom, as per NME's 4/5 rating and DIY Magazine's similar commendation of its fun, versatile homage to 90s influences.[23][51] Clash described it as "fiery, dauntless and impassioned," emphasizing its vibrant testament to genre fusion.[52] Her 2022 EP Woah, What a Blur! continued this trajectory, earning NME's 4/5 for its "boundless creativity" in hopping from Baltimore club to Afropop sounds, though some tracks were critiqued for feeling undercooked in execution.[27] Singles like "That Girl" drew Pitchfork's approval for its thumping, bass-heavy production evoking catwalks and nightclubs, while live performances, such as her 2022 Manchester Academy show, were hailed by The Guardian for potent rap surges and euphoric pop moments signaling superstar potential.[53][46] Overall, reviewers position her as a rising force challenging colorism in pop through raw bravado and stylistic range.[54]Commercial performance and industry challenges
Bree Runway's music has achieved moderate streaming success, with her collaboration "Be The One" featuring Khalid accumulating over 28 million streams on Spotify as of September 2025.[55] Other notable tracks include "All Night" with 18 million streams and "HOT HOT" with approximately 17 million, contributing to her total artist streams exceeding 170 million on the platform.[55] [56] She maintains around 426,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, reflecting a dedicated but niche audience rather than mainstream dominance.[16] Her YouTube videos have similarly garnered millions of views, such as "ATM" featuring Missy Elliott with over 7.3 million and "Be The One" with 3 million, indicating viral appeal in select releases but limited broader chart penetration.[57] Despite features with established artists like Missy Elliott and Khalid, Bree Runway has not secured top-tier commercial breakthroughs, aligning with her positioning as an innovative but under-commercialized act in UK rap and pop.[7] Industry challenges emerged prominently during her tenure with EMI Records, signed in 2018, where initial creative support waned by mid-2021 amid shifting label priorities and team changes.[7] The label rejected tracks like "That Girl"—which later exceeded 7 million Spotify streams—as overly edgy and pushed for a "softer" sound, while providing inadequate marketing, including delayed assets and subpar video production.[7] Bree Runway parted ways with EMI in June 2023, citing misalignment and a stifling environment that prioritized "building language" over album development.[7] [35] Post-split, she has faced financial strain, self-funding studio time, videos, and publicity at a cost of "thousands and thousands," resulting in lost opportunities and followers, though she emphasizes reclaimed artistic autonomy over metrics.[7] This experience echoes broader issues for artists like Raye, who achieved major accolades after a similar label exit, highlighting systemic hurdles in major label support for non-conformist Black British women in music.[7] As an independent artist, Bree Runway has released singles like "Just Like That" in June 2024, prioritizing uncompromised expression amid ongoing economic pressures.[58]Controversies and criticisms
In June 2023, Bree Runway announced her departure from EMI Records, after signing with the label in 2018, alleging significant mismanagement that hindered her career progression.[7] She detailed how, midway through 2021, the label abruptly shifted focus from her planned album—initially slated for October release—to vague "building language" efforts, resulting in stalled projects and inadequate promotion.[7] Specific grievances included the mishandling of her 2022 single "That Girl," which amassed over 7 million Spotify streams but was deemed too "edgy" by executives, leading to sloppy marketing, budget cuts, rushed artwork described by Runway as "a scribble," and delayed promotional assets.[7] Frequent changes in label personnel, including a new president and the loss of her A&R representative, further exacerbated communication breakdowns and creative constraints, with Runway's expressions of frustration reportedly met with reprimands, including a label employee labeling one meeting as "the worst artist meeting."[7] Runway claimed the experience cost her financially, professionally, and in audience engagement, stating she "lost money, opportunities and followers" while transitioning to independence, where she personally funded "thousands and thousands" for studio time, videos, publicity, styling, and wigs.[7] EMI responded by expressing sadness over her comments, noting they "enjoyed working with Bree and respected her decision to go in a different direction back in June 2023" and wishing her success moving forward.[7] Runway framed the split as liberating, emphasizing that despite the losses, she had "found me," prioritizing artistic ownership over commercial alignment.[7] Earlier, in March 2021, Runway faced backlash over the abrupt removal of a Busta Rhymes sample from her single "Hot Hot" in its streaming version, replaced by an alternative beat shortly after release.[59] The sample, drawn from Busta Rhymes' 2005 track "Touch It," was cleared for the initial video but failed in final processing due to an unspecified party's oversight, which Runway publicly attributed not to Rhymes himself but to "somewhere along the line someone didn’t do theirs."[59] She expressed personal distress on Twitter, stating she had "cried, screamed" in frustration and apologized to fans, who voiced disappointment online, with some deeming the revised track a "hot mess."[59]Discography
Extended plays and mixtapes
Bree Runway released her first commercial extended play, Be Runway, on August 16, 2019, through Virgin EMI Records.[19] The five-track project marked her major-label debut and featured singles like "2ON" and "Trade," blending hyperpop, rap, and electronic elements.[19] Her debut mixtape, 2000AND4EVA, followed on November 6, 2020, also via Virgin EMI.[60] Comprising seven tracks with guest appearances including Rico Nasty, the 21-minute release showcased aggressive flows and Y2K-inspired production, drawing comparisons to early mixtape eras of artists like Nicki Minaj.[60][61] In December 2022, amid ongoing label association, Runway surprise-dropped the EP WOAH, WHAT A BLUR!, a five-track effort produced by EASYFUN, LIOHN, and Khlar.[28] Featuring Stormzy on "Pick Your Poison," it experimented with Baltimore club, Afropop, and rap, released independently of prior promotion.[28][62] Following her 2023 split from EMI, Runway issued +233 WORLDWIDE! on April 17, 2025, under her independent imprint Free Runway.[63] Classified variably as an EP or mixtape, the project emphasized Afrobeats and pop rap influences, aligning with her Ghanaian heritage. Prior to her label signing, Runway self-released independent projects, including early EPs that built her underground following, though specific titles and dates remain less documented in major outlets.[16]| Title | Type | Release Date | Label | Tracks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Be Runway | EP | August 16, 2019 | Virgin EMI | 5 |
| 2000AND4EVA | Mixtape | November 6, 2020 | Virgin EMI | 7 |
| WOAH, WHAT A BLUR! | EP | December 8, 2022 | EMI | 5 |
| +233 WORLDWIDE! | EP/Mixtape | April 17, 2025 | Free Runway | N/A |