Bob Vylan is a London-based English punk duo that blends punk rock and hip-hop elements in their music. The duo consists of Bobby Vylan (vocals and guitar) and Bobbie Vylan (drums), who use stage names to maintain privacy, especially given their critical stance on surveillance. They collectively refer to themselves as “the Bobs”.
Musical Style
The band was formed in Ipswich in 2017. They released four singles and two EPs via their own label, Ghost Theatre, and distributed their albums independently. Their debut album, We Live Here, was released in 2020. They have since released Bob Vylan Presents the Price of Life (2022), which reached number 18 on the UK Albums Chart, and Humble as the Sun (2024).
Musical Themes and Influences
Bob Vylan’s music combines grime rap with punk rock. Bobby Vylan’s influences include rap, grime, punk, and indie rock, and he incorporates elements of Jamaican genres, as a tribute to his heritage, such as dancehall and reggae. Their music also incorporates spoken-word poetry. They cite Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols and Akala as influences, with Dizzee Rascal, Stormzy, and Skepta also being influences for Bobby Vylan.
Political Views and Recent Controversy
Their lyrics often address social and political issues, including racism, police violence, unequal income distribution, gentrification, mental health, and late-stage capitalism. The struggles of being a Black man in Europe are a recurring theme. They do not cite Bob Dylan as a musical influence, despite their stage name.
Discography
During their performance at the 2025 Glastonbury Festival, Bob Vylan demonstrated in support of Palestinian nationalism, leading chants of “Free Palestine” and “Death to the IDF.” This resulted in criticism and condemnation from various officials and organizations, including the Avon and Somerset Police, the BBC, the Embassy of Israel, and government officials. The BBC apologized for the content and removed the performance from iPlayer.
Awards
Their discography includes the albums: We Live Here (2020), Bob Vylan Presents the Price of Life (2022), and Humble as the Sun (2024).
Additional Information from Provided Sources
Bob Vylan won the Best Alternative Music Act MOBO Award in 2022.
The duo consists of Bobby Vylan (vocals and guitar) and Bobbie Vylan (drums), who use stage names to maintain privacy, especially due to their critical views on surveillance.
Bobby Vylan has stated that music is a creative outlet and a way to express himself, and that it keeps him “sane.” He has been making music for a long time, even before Bob Vylan, using software like Music 2000 on the PlayStation. The album Humble as the Sun has a spiritual aspect, with the band wanting it to feel more uplifting and empowering. His self-belief comes from his upbringing and a desire not to accept limitations imposed on him. The band’s Glastonbury performance, which included the “Death to the IDF” chant, is under investigation by the police. The band was previously rejected by major labels for being “too extreme.”
