Slawn released his debut album 'Not An Artist'

## From Gallery Walls to Streaming Platforms Slawn released 'Not An Artist' on March 8, 2026, marking a radical departure from traditional album rollouts. The 25-year-old Nigerian-British artist born Olaolu Akeredolu-Ale transformed the prestigious Saatchi Yates Gallery into his personal recording studio for the project. The month-long exhibition titled 'Slawn's Studio' ran from January 22 to February 22, 2026, offering visitors unprecedented access to his creative process. Music was written and recorded within the gallery walls while canvases were created and reworked on site. ## Star-Studded Collaborations Meet High Art The album features 17 tracks with artists including Unknown T, Blackhaine, Obongjayar, AntsLive, Jammer, Cochise, Travy, Len, taves, Youngs Teflon, Tiny Boost, Reign, Kida Kudz, Yuno Miles, deeD0t, Kidwild and JELEEL! Executive producer Arthur Bean, celebrated for his work on five tracks from Central Cee's debut album 'Can't Rush Greatness', led the sessions. A steady stream of friends, collaborators and fellow artists moved through the space, contributing to an atmosphere that was both industrious and electric. Their collective presence transformed Saatchi Yates into a rare cultural moment, reinforcing London's position at the forefront of contemporary art and music. ## Breaking Down Traditional Boundaries The space prioritised immediacy, experimentation and collaboration, dissolving the traditional boundaries between studio and exhibition. Slawn uses 'Not An Artist' to question the commercialization of art and gallery elitism, demonstrating its impact can mobilize both contemporary art collectors and the new generation of urban underground. Born in Lagos in 2000, Slawn operates deliberately outside the conventions of the traditional art world, creating instinctive, raw paintings that blend psychedelic, jazz-like patterns with satirical observations of modern society. ## Limited Edition Release Strategy Only 1,000 vinyl copies will be available for pre-order exclusively through the Saatchi Yates website. The full album is available digitally now, marking a strategic release that bridges the gap between high art and street culture. Slawn previously designed the statuette and set for the 2023 Brit Awards, becoming the youngest and first Nigerian-born artist to do so. He also designed the cover for 21 Savage's 2025 album 'What Happened to the Streets?' ## Cultural Impact Beyond Music Slawn has 432,000 Instagram followers, where his bio reads 'im not an artist, i paint like a 6 year old'. His transition to painting occurred during London lockdown in 2020, with his first exhibition at Truman Brewery in 2021. His paintings have spawned great demand and even mayhem; when he invited fans to his studio for the chance to be given artwork, fistfights have erupted. In May 2023, Slawn opened BeauBeau's Cafe, a family-run restaurant in East London named after his son. The album represents more than just musical experimentation. This blurring of boundaries between visual arts and music has resulted in a work that captures the immediacy and controlled chaos of London's current scene.