The world can be a twisted, confusing place. Most days feel like an uphill slog through a viscous, synthetic substance, a ritual that leaves even the strongest of us confused, exhausted, and ready to load up an image of a white flag on our phone. There might just be a solution to these troubles, though. Have you considered the DOOMLIFE? It’s both the name of the great new Nammy Wams-produced EP from London rapper BABYDOOM and a sort of statement of intent: Maybe it’s time to let it all go, to submit to the music and the party. I don’t know, there are worse ideas. To learn about the DOOMLIFE—and a lot more—read our interview with the artist, and listen to REAL+LIFE, his mixtape hosted by Madjestic Kasual, below.

What does it mean to be living the DOOMLIFE?

BABYDOOM: Enjoying the party whilst the outside world is burning on the edge of apocalypse. Kinda like if you’ve gone out and left the bath running, it’s gonna overflow eventually but when are you going to care and turn off the water. That feeling of impending doom mixed with getting stoned drunk and tripping for the first time at the same time lol. 

How did you link up with Nammy Wams?

We linked up through a mutual friend but we had been planning to do sessions before. We would see each other at a few events and always be like, Let’s cook. Multiple other artists too were saying, Yeah, I need to lock in with Nammy. After we recorded “RSVP” everything after that just happened so organically. 

How would you describe the mix of music on this EP? 

Sonically I would say it’s defo for the nightlife people—the beats are very fun and bubbly, imo very party centric. I don’t know if there’s a label for what we did. Everything draws from real life interactions I’ve had at afters, events, or day-to-day living. So I guess it’s just journalism or like a diary entry.

What is “The Feeling” about?

I would class myself as introverted. I like to talk to my people and it takes a little while for me to warm up to new people. I like to scope the scene, check for any red flags, etc. etc. “The Feeling” is basically me talking about my first few times tripping and not giving a fuck. My introverted ways are put to the back of my mind as the MDMA takes the driving seat. Very talkative and wavvy. 

Tell us about life in Croydon. What’s your favorite pub? Where’s the best spot for late night food?

Croydon feels like DOOMLIFE has already hit it lol. Growing up in the area I never saw the problems, it was just normal life. Now I’m older, I try as much as possible not to get too invested in what’s going on in the area because it can and will hold you back. In saying all of that, Croydon defo plays a big part in how my music sounds. The raw and gritty nature of the area makes some of the best musicians and music in my opinion. I have such a large pool of influences, from the Jamaicans in Thornton Heath playing dancehall mixtapes out loud to bossman in Morley’s playing his favourite Bollywood songs. Best place to eat in Croydon is Yahso near Selhurst Park. 

How did you get into doing music? Any formative memories that put you on this path?

Me and my friends used to freestyle all the time, one day I just said I might take this serious. I then met Jawnino and HEG (my brothers) in the area and we just started rolling together. My other bro Essem started doing music to but more like drill and we all just started rolling together. NTN is the group name. Years pass people come and go but still the same core group. 

During lockdown we started hanging out with Virgil (Ryoko Virgil) making music. Our other bros who we had met through music RENZ, CHAMBER45, 2NICE, all kinda just happened naturally and we formed a collective called NPOP.

Any London music you’ve been excited about lately?

Big Ys & Manny Dubbs AS GROSS AS IT GETS mixtape one of the best mixtapes I’ve heard in years. The art of mixtapes is lost and he brings it back. Anything coming from NPOP. Essem dropped a tape earlier this year. All the unreleased stuff from the mandem is sizzly icl. When I wanna listen to grime defo listening to Kruz Leone and Renz. 

What’s next for BABYDOOM?

More music defo keep an eye on the mandem defo. I wanna do more live shows. Defo wanna do something like a documentary kinda year in the life of BABYDOOM. Also wanna collab more. Got a banger produced by NV coming out soon called “Xtra.” Right now I’m working on a REAL+LIFE TAPE DELUXE so that’s prob how gonna end off the year. Me and Nam probs gonna lock back in and make some more music.