The journey of international artist 45 HD is anything but conventional.
Born in Mali, West Africa, before moving to Europe and eventually building a new life in the UK, 45 HD has experienced poverty, migration, racism, homelessness, street life, viral success and countless setbacks on his way towards establishing himself as an independent artist.
Speaking on the Tales from the Trap podcast, 45 HD opened up about the experiences that have shaped him, from growing up without running water to working multiple jobs in London to fund an enormous catalogue of unreleased music.
His story is ultimately one of ambition, reinvention and an unwillingness to give up.
Growing Up in Mali
45 HD was born in Mali and spent his earliest years living in conditions dramatically different from those he would later experience in Europe.
He describes growing up without plumbing, proper toilets or easy access to water. Water had to be collected from a well, while opportunities for education and employment could be extremely limited depending on where someone lived.
His father left Africa while 45 HD was still very young, attempting to establish himself in Europe so that he could financially support the family.
For years, money was sent back home while 45 HD lived with his mother and sister.
Eventually, his father’s efforts allowed the family to move from their village into the city, giving them access to better housing, food and medical care.
It would not be until around the age of seven that 45 HD properly met his father.
Starting a New Life in Spain
The next major chapter in 45 HD’s life began when the family relocated to Spain.
Suddenly, he found himself experiencing an entirely different culture, education system and way of life.
However, adapting was not easy.
45 HD recalls experiencing racism after arriving in Spain, particularly because there were relatively few black families in the area at the time. He believes much of the prejudice he encountered came from ignorance and misconceptions about Africa.
Rather than allowing the experience to define him, he focused on adapting.
Within months, he had learned Spanish fluently. He performed well academically and also developed a reputation as a talented footballer.
Later, after moving to Catalonia, he learned Catalan too.
Languages would eventually become one of his biggest strengths. Today, 45 HD says he can communicate across numerous languages including Spanish, Catalan, Portuguese, Italian, French, Arabic, Bambara and English.
That multilingual ability would later become a major part of his identity as an international recording artist.
Discovering Music as a Teenager
Music entered the picture when 45 HD was around 12 years old.
Alongside friends, he formed a rap group called Street Diamonds.
Their early productions were extremely DIY. Music videos were recorded using basic mobile phones and there was little knowledge of professional production, marketing or music monetisation.
Yet something unexpected happened.
Their music started attracting serious attention online.
According to 45 HD, one early release reached tens of thousands of views before eventually exploding into the millions. Another release attracted even more attention.
By his early teens, people were recognising him in public and asking for photographs.
There was only one major problem.
They had no idea how to turn that attention into a business.
Despite generating huge numbers of views, the group had no management and little understanding of monetisation, publishing or the wider music industry.
Eventually, the momentum slowed.
Street Life, Trouble and a Turning Point
As his teenage years continued, 45 HD began moving further away from music.
He openly discusses becoming involved with the wrong crowd, drinking, smoking and selling cannabis.
For a period, he and his friends were stealing cannabis plants before selling the product, using some of the proceeds to fund their lifestyles and music videos.
Eventually, an encounter with the police became a turning point.
Rather than continuing down a path that could potentially lead to prison, 45 HD decided he needed to change direction.
One friend had already ended up in prison, while another had left Spain.
For 45 HD, the message was clear.
He needed to leave.
Moving to London With Almost Nothing
England had already been part of 45 HD’s ambitions for years.
As a 12-year-old, he had reportedly posted online that within ten years he would be living in England.
Eventually, he made it happen.
But arriving in London was far from glamorous.
45 HD says he initially slept rough in Green Park before finding work at the restaurant group Big Easy.
Unable to speak much English, he relied on his willingness to work.
He arrived early, accepted whatever jobs needed doing and gradually began rebuilding his life.
Once he received his first wages, he was able to rent a room.
His sister later moved to the UK legally and offered him somewhere more stable to live, which became another important moment in his transformation.
He stopped drinking, smoking and partying and returned his attention to music.
The Birth of 45 HD
In 2020, another reinvention began.
Previously performing under the name El Creator, he decided that his old identity represented a version of himself he wanted to leave behind.
He changed his image, his sound and his artist name.
The name 45 HD combines elements of his past and identity, including numbers inspired by the postcode of the area where he spent significant time in Spain.
His first release under the new identity was No Trust, followed by tracks including No Face, No Case.
More importantly, his musical direction began changing.
Rather than restricting himself to traditional street rap, 45 HD started experimenting with melodies, singing, pop influences and different languages.
That versatility has now become central to his brand.
Working Three Jobs to Fund the Dream
Perhaps the most remarkable part of 45 HD’s current strategy is his commitment to remaining independent.
Instead of waiting for a record label to finance his career, he has spent years working multiple jobs and reinvesting the money into his music.
During the podcast, he revealed that he has built a catalogue of approximately 180 mixed and mastered songs and 55 music videos, created over several years.
Videos have been filmed internationally across countries including Spain, France, Italy, Germany, the United States, Morocco and parts of Africa.
The plan is equally ambitious.
45 HD intends to release a new song and music video every two weeks over several years.
Building More Than a Music Career
45 HD’s ambitions extend far beyond streaming numbers.
He talks about developing his own record label, clothing brand and technology aimed at helping artists better understand music contracts.
Ownership remains extremely important to him.
Rather than surrendering creative control simply to secure a record deal, he wants to own his music, videos and intellectual property wherever possible.
For 45 HD, independence gives him the ability to create rap, R&B, melodic music, pop and multilingual records without being forced into a single category.
It is an approach that perfectly reflects his life.
He has never belonged to just one place, culture, language or musical genre.
Never Give Up
Towards the end of the conversation, 45 HD was asked what advice he would give someone facing their own challenges.
His answer was simple: never give up.
He credits his parents’ work ethic and sacrifices with teaching him that mentality.
From growing up in Mali to experiencing racism in Spain, sleeping rough in London and working multiple jobs to fund his music career, almost every stage of his journey has demanded persistence.
Now, with hundreds of songs prepared, dozens of music videos completed, television appearances, acting opportunities and an ambitious release schedule ahead, 45 HD believes the next chapter could be his biggest yet.
His journey demonstrates that success rarely happens in a straight line.
Sometimes the wrong turns, failures and difficult periods become the experiences that eventually create the artist, entrepreneur and person capable of taking advantage of the opportunity when it finally arrives.
