Yung Ludd Releases ‘Two Tone’ EP
Born and raised in Lyttelton, Yung Ludd is the rap alias of musician Connor Strati. Having spent some time in Auckland in his twenties, he was exposed to a lot of the underground hip hop scene there which proved to be very influential on his sound. Rapping in his kiwi accent over mellow, self-produced beats, Yung Ludd spits honest lyricism about everyday life, mental health struggles, and searching for balance.
Two Tone is an EP written about Yung Ludd’s turbulent experiences in 2020, where Covid was the last of his troubles. Covering mental health crises, run-ins with the law, eventual diagnosis and a road to recovery, this project is an honest and vulnerable depiction of some of his darkest days.
Two Tone also represents Ludd relearning to make music and express himself in words after a mental breakdown. These songs were written in his Auntie’s garage last year, while on the Sickness Benefit, going to therapy, taking medication and generally working on healing.
The theme of duality is explored throughout this project, from the title, to the black and white artwork, and in many of the lyrics. This reflects Ludd’s bipolar diagnosis, and more broadly, the highs and lows, light and dark, of life.
