The Acts of James Massiah: London’s Legendary Poet

Born and raised in South-West London, James Massiah could be classified as a multidisciplinary musical act, performing as a poet, rapper, and DJ. His music career blossomed through an upbringing with the church, inspired by feelings of sounds, mixed with a presence in spoken-word and poetry circles around London. From collaborations with Dean Blunt on Babyfather’s BBF as DJ Escrow, to an illustrious career in the underground club scene, Massiah has now perfected yet another form of music: Rap.

Rap has always been a form of poetry, rhythmically sound through a play of words and how they sound. Through that philosophy, Massiah takes ironically. In recent projects (Bounty Law EP 2025, Contact High EP 2026), his delivery is meticulously monotone, acting like a Messiah over an orchestra but instead of a religious context, there is a grimy cloud-beat with lyrics like, “I did too much K, I’m in the backseat.” 

Years of experimenting in the club, blending grime, rap, ambient, and other electronic genres have also shown upon his past releases.

Massiah’s projects are all synonymous to his self-identity, despite all bearing different “personas.” His art cannot be categorized, it is simply a reflection on the many parts and feelings from his life; An artistic language that comes from emotional freedom and a sense of detachment.

His alter ego, DJ Escrow, in collaboration with Dean Blunt (Babyfather), plays on this duality, narrating on BBF as an excessive voice/host. Through many interviews, Massiah states that this role is a separate person from himself. DJ Escrow is avant-garde, a role and persona that encapsulates spoken performance art, pioneering a sound UK Rap had never seen.