Blanco (British rapper)
Joshua Emmanuel Pinto João Eduardo, known professionally as Blanco, is a British-Angolan rapper and singer. Beginning his career in 2015, he released his debut EP, English Dubbed, in 2019, and debut mixtape, City of God, in 2021. He is a former member of the UK drill group Harlem Spartans.
Career
Blanco began to write lyrics at the age of 15, taking inspiration from artists such as Skepta and 50 Cent. He would later join the Harlem Spartans collective through a youth centre in Kennington. In 2016, he released "Jason Bourne", which, according to New Wave Mag, certified his place as a well-respected drill artist.In 2019, Blanco released his debut EP, English Dubbed.
On 24 August 2021, Blanco released his debut mixtape, named City of God after the 2002 film. The mixtape was named within Complexs best albums of 2021, with an article in Clash noting that the album saw him move away from a drill sound.
On 18 August 2023, Blanco released his second mixtape, named ReBourne. This saw him getting a BPI: Sliver award, peaking at 66th on the charts in the UK, and 95th in Ireland.
On 15 November 2024, Blanco released his third mixtape named Gilberto's Son. The song, named after his late father, was heavily influenced by his trip to Brasil.
On 21 November 2025, Blanco released the EP titled Paradise On A Lifeboat. The project perpetuates his illustration of his personal life story by blending social commentary with an abundance of anime references and themes that are consistent throughout his discography. The first track Regime is dedicated to Patrice Lumumba.