Clash Issue 134 - Samuel Ross, Bakar, Lancey Foux

Samuel Ross MBE, Lancey Foux & Bakar Are The Seventh Faces Of CLASH 134

Between living brotherhood and ancestral memory, Samuel Ross, Bakar & Lancey Foux have emerged as cultural custodians from the time-worn streets of London. The city is both a symbol and setting to their stories; a backdrop to their origins, their respective breakthroughs and now, a stage for their most recent transformations. 

Samuel Ross MBE has actively pursued artistic autonomy in his work by establishing his studio SR_A SR_A. A dedicated engineering space for industrial design and spatial architecture, the studio resists institutional framing, thoughtfully reshaping notions of Black British identity. 

Ross crossed paths with Hublot in 2019 when he was awarded the Hublot Design Prize. Ross has helped define Hublot through both functional design and innovation. They strengthened their design partnership this year, debuting the Big Bang Unico SR_A, the first signature SR_A model equipped with the Manufacture’s Unico chronograph calibre.

Lancey Foux - the latest ambassador for CUPRA, with our shoot featuring the new CUPRA Raval - is a pioneer of glitch-in-the-matrix "dream rage"; a psychedelic fusion of trillwave, the shadowy cadences of UK drill and high-impact dance music. His influence on a generation of hyper-online UK rap upstarts is unmistakable, but his new album serves as an antidote to that digital myopia - a call-to-arms for real-time, real life connection.

Hailing from North London, Bakar has achieved that rare feat in music: crossover glory. Just as much of a name in the US as he is a homegrown success story, Bakar bridged the gap between lo-fi indie revivalism, narrative-driven pop and the beatmaking dexterity associated with hip-hop. Now, he’s moved past the frenzied feel of his past to a new era that reconciles his idiosyncrasies with carefully-honed, classic song craft.

“The city of London is so rich in terms of culture and creativity,” Samuel Ross tells CLASH. “There’s all these different tenets that make our individual relations to the city so interesting. That extends to us three. We’re all so distinct but very much informed by this city.”

Bypassing the conventional cover story format, in keeping with the non-conformist spirit of all three artists, we present a conversation between friends, brothers and peers.  

Words: Shahzaib Hussain

Photography: Jesse Crankson 

Creative Direction: Samuel Ross

Fashion: James Loach, Josh T. Arimoro, Samuel Ross

Makeup & Grooming: Paige Cole