Summer Lovin'

Written by Francesca Emms |Photography by Tom Wright

Any finn goes with outlandish rapper Beach Boy.

With a name like Beach Boy it’s no surprise to find the Wellington-based musician swimming in the sea or tanning on the sand. ‘I love being outside,’ he says, ‘especially since it’s been so hot.’ The 21-year-old started life in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, and describes his move to New Zealand’s capital city ten years ago as an amazing journey. ‘The people here are the nicest people on the planet,’ he says. He loves Oriental Bay where he always feels nostalgic, the vegie burger at Five Boroughs diner and raving at Club 121. But most of all he loves performing live music with his friends. ‘I’m loud, crazy and always wanting to party.’

21-year-old rapper Beach Boy started life in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, before moving to New Zealand.

Over the past couple of years Beach Boy (real name Finn O’Brien) has released 38 music tracks, many of them accompanied by a homemade music video. His debut I’m The Most Drunk sees him rapping about (you guessed it) being the most drunk, drinking Scrumpy and jumping in the harbour. ‘At the time I was trying to put myself out there,’ he says. He wanted to produce for local rappers and singers but no one gave him a chance. ‘So I decided to rebel against the whole scene and do something very left field. From there everything has just been developing from a meme to an artist.’

Along with his own body of work he now produces for Iris, Pillow T, Bugs! and Josef Parties. He takes inspiration from here and abroad. A fan of Swedish rapper Yung Lean, Beach Boy says Yung’s new album Stranger is ‘one of the most amazing pieces of work I've ever come across. Its incredible sounds and large production make you feel you're standing in the ice cold city of Stockholm.’

Beach Boy seems to have energy for days. Recently he’s been travelling a lot and filming music videos and has been ‘super busy in the kitchen cooking all sorts of crazy dishes. I love spice and anything from the sea.’ Perhaps his vigour can be attributed to his favourite book, DJ Khaled’s self-help guide The Keys. Even haters of the out-spoken hip hop mogul have admitted the book is ‘damn inspiring’. Or maybe he gets his verve from his drink of choice, ‘only and forever, red flavoured Scrumpy.’ But it’s probably his support system that keeps this beach boy bouncing. ‘I have a close circle of friends who inspire me every day.’ He often hangs out with the Shark Week crew at the Left Bank store and models for their streetwear label. When asked about his style he says he’s happy to wear anything really. ‘From glitter sneakers to this handmade suit covered in flowers I got made in Hoi An. I think it's important to switch it up every day and always be yourself in what you wear.’

One day he’d like to have enough money to design his own house. But in the mean time Beach Boy’s enjoying the music, the sun and the party life. The only problem at the moment is that one of his cats has recently gone missing. So, ‘if you see a cute lost tabby in Miramar, message me asap.’