In an industry often clouded by pretense, Alex Gough emerges as a breath of fresh air. Unapologetically candid, with a charmingly self-deprecating humor, the drummer/rapper from Waterford candidly admits to battling self-doubt, humorously reflecting, “I never had an 'I can do this' moment. It was more a ‘Should I do this?’ moment.” Yet, listening to his brilliantly versatile productions, the answer to the latter resoundingly affirms his talent.

Amidst established talents like Rejjie Snow, Gough is carving a path for Irish hip-hop on the global stage. With radio support and notable placements in esteemed playlists, he has amassed millions of streams for his 2019 EP, ‘80%’, and earned a prestigious sync on the BBC adaptation of Sally Rooney’s ‘Normal People’. This early success is particularly remarkable considering Gough's journey, navigating the industry without clear role models or mentors while growing up in southeast Ireland.

Raised in a household where music was omnipresent yet no family member played an instrument, Gough stood out when he picked up drums at the age of six. Initially drawn to replicate the rhythms of rock bands like AC/DC, Green Day, and The Who, his musical trajectory shifted under the influence of his older brother towards hip-hop. Immersed in the genre, he spent hours memorizing lyrics to classics by Mos Def before delving deeper into the works of Slum Village, J Dilla, and The Roots.

Throughout his teenage years at Waterford’s De La Salle College, Gough's passion for music set him apart from his sports-oriented peers. Though he played in various bands during school, it wasn't until he enrolled at the Cork School of Music that he found his musical community. Venturing into music production, he initially crafted instrumentals for guest vocalists, but ultimately found his own voice in rap, albeit after grappling with self-assurance.

Gough's refusal to disguise his Irish accent adds to his authenticity as a vocalist. His smooth flow, coupled with witty lyricism, brings weight to his introspective bars, often addressing real-life encounters and anxieties, from smartphone addiction to confrontations with overzealous bouncers.

Sonically, Gough’s productions traverse a spectrum of styles. From the sample-heavy sound of his acclaimed ‘Infomercial Tape’ in 2018 to the eclectic beats of ‘80%’, which range from old-school vibes to jazz-infused compositions like ‘Dear SJ’. Recent tracks like ‘Be Kind’ delve even deeper into contemporary influences, showcasing Gough's penchant for experimentation.

Looking ahead, Gough promises even greater diversity in his forthcoming mixtape, "Forever Classic". Inspired by the 90s era yet spanning bossa nova to breakbeat, and infused with influences from both contemporary and legendary musicians, his creative restlessness promises a compelling musical journey.

Despite his undeniable talent, Gough remains refreshingly modest about his potential, making him an intriguing prospect in the music industry.