This Virgil Abloh–Approved Rapper Is Performing at Rihanna’s Virtual Party Tonight

Octavian walks the Louis Vuitton runway.
Octavian walking Virgil Abloh’s first menswear show in Paris.Photo: Getty Images / Victor Boyko

Though he might still be relatively unknown in the United States, the British rapper Octavian has a lot of famous fans. In 2017, the 23-year-old London-born rapper released “Party Here,” a slippery sub-bass-laden track punctuated by his staccato verse that caught Drake’s ear. A few months later, at the top of 2018, Drake posted the song’s lyrics on his Instagram and was caught on camera just days later singing Octavian’s song at a Golden Globes after-party.

In the time since then, Octavian has walked Virgil Abloh’s very first Louis Vuitton runway show alongside Playboi Carti, Dev Hynes, and Kid Cudi in 2018. He showed up again at Abloh’s spring 2020 show. He’s also released full-length projects, including Spaceman and Endorphins, and most recently collaborated with Skepta on their new track “Papi Chulo,” which you might recognize from one of Megan Thee Stallion’s latest Instagram uploads.

Octavian and Diplo.

Photo: Getty Images / Francois Durand

Now, though, he’s about to find himself virtually immersed in the Fenty universe: The Londoner is doing a live performance tonight as part of the Fenty Instagram Live party that Rihanna will be cohosting (the festivities begin at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT). It’s no surprise Rihanna tapped Octavian for the event. If his Louis Vuitton runway appearances didn’t already make it clear, Octavian is as interested in fashion as he is in music, much like RiRi herself.

The rapper has been a frequent attendee of men’s Paris Fashion Week. This past January, he posed alongside Diplo at Dior Men’s show wearing a gray scale, camouflage-patterned fur coat; last summer, he arrived at Acne Studios’ menswear show in a mint green, crushed velvet trench. Even on his Instagram, he’ll post selfies that show off zebra-patterned puffers and furry hats. In short, he’s not afraid of a statement piece, especially when it comes to outerwear. But what will he wear indoors for Fenty’s Instagram party? Judging by his previous fashion choices, we’d say something equally vibrant.

Photo: Getty Images / Matthew Sperzel
Photo: Courtesy of Octavian / @octavianessie