Meet the Irish Artist Merging 80s Synth with Afrobeats
Words: Rachel Hannon
Photo: Adam Kelleher
Dublin based vocalist and producer F3miii has officially burst onto the scene with his unique genre blend of R&B, electronic beats, soulful melodies, afrobeats, rock and even 80s synth. One of District Magazine’s Future of Irish Music 2024, F3miii is quickly becoming a standout in Ireland’s music landscape. With his raw sound, pristine production and captivating live performances, he is an artist you need to follow and get to know right now.
Early Journey
Born and raised in Dublin, F3miii started his journey on Soundcloud with his debut heartfelt track ‘Beautiful’. This song opened the doors for collaborations with various Irish artists like Monjola, Harsquead and Jafarais. Influenced by the likes of Kaytranada, Pharrell, Pi’erre Bourne and Brent Faiyaz, his musical roots began in his formative years in church. His mother was big into gospel and his father introduced him to R&B and pop.
As well as this, F3miii has fondly reminisced about his music teacher when he was 12. His name was Mr. O’Connor, and as a trad player, was often on TV for performances which influenced F3miii. For his 12th birthday he was given a guitar, which changed everything. After teaching himself guitar on YouTube, he joined a choir and later a band called GracePark which was heavily influenced by Brockhampton.
In 2020 he went solo and released his first track, and things have evidently picked up from there. Since then, he has produced various tracks of his own and others, performed live at some of Ireland’s most notable festivals and is continuing to blurr genre boundaries on the Irish scene like no other.
The Sound of F3miii
What sets F3miii apart is his ability to connect with his listeners. It’s raw and authentic, and his music has been described as a form of self-therapy. It’s somewhere on the border between alternative R&B and electronic music, but his versatility branches out to rock, hip-hop, afrobeat and even house. His vocals are often melodic with stacked electronic beats and heavy sub basses and atmospheric pads that give it that big textured feel.
Notable Tracks
- ‘LOSTWITHOUTMARIA’ has racked up 1.2 million streams on Spotify in just a few months. This nostalgic 2 minutes and 34 seconds is a slice of 80s synth pop heaven.
- ‘BAD4MYHEALTH’ draws on the intoxicating blend of love and addiction.
- His latest release ‘SAY MY NAME’ combines pulsating infectious beats, with late night energy, reflecting his ability to push boundaries and experience with different songs.
Creative Process
F3miii has said that melodies for his music often come to him in random places like the shower or while saying a prayer. By not focusing on the lyrics much, he has said that this helps in capturing the mood of the song more. We’re lucky in that like a lot of artists in today’s world, F3miii uses social media to exhibit how he has produced some of his tracks. Check out his step by step guide on how he produced his successful track ‘LOSTWITHOUTMARIA’.
Making Waves on the Irish Scene
F3miii is no stranger to crowds. Since he started releasing, he has played Ireland Music Week, performed at Trinity Ball, Forbidden Fruit Festival and sold out headline shows at The Soundhouse and Workman’s Cellar. Not only this, he has been featured on a whopping 15 editorial playlists. His Workman’s Cellar gig which was on last Friday the 20th of September showcased his exceptional stage presence, his ability to control a crowd, and to have fun while doing it. There was a guest performance from Khakikid, Nama, and support by CARSTEN2X.
The show was dynamic, energetic, and anyone in the room could feel that being there felt like being part of something special. Between singing happy birthday to his guitarist, having dancers on stage, and getting the crowd to chant back to him, it’s not a gig the audience are likely to forget.
What’s Next?
F3miii’s Workman’s Cellar show has just kicked off his UK & Irish tour. He is set to play Dolan’s Limerick on October 4 Union bar in Belfast on October 11. Based on his recent releases, his infectious performances and enticing visuals, f3miii is well on his way to becoming a household name.
As F3miii continues to bend genre barriers and connect with global audiences, he is undoubtedly becoming one of the most exciting artists to come out of Ireland right now. His dedication and craft continue to propel him forward in the industry. Do yourself a favour and keep an eye on this eclectic artist as he consistently shapes the future of Irish Music.
