Who Are Pete and Bas?

If you haven’t heard of Pete and Bas yet, you’re in for a treat. They’re two London-based septuagenarians who have defied every convention of aging by making waves in one of the UK’s most intense music scenes—drill. Known for its gritty beats and raw storytelling, drill is typically dominated by young artists, often from tough urban backgrounds. Pete and Bas, on the other hand, are old-school mates who decided in their later years to take a creative leap and enter a world where they seemingly didn’t belong.

The duo started making music in 2017, influenced by Pete’s granddaughter who liked to play grime tunes on the car stereo. Pete, annoyed at first before becoming intrigued, shared this with Bas and they decided to produce their own tune for YouTube. “Shut Ya Mouth” went viral. Their early releases—marked by hard-hitting lyrics, intricate wordplay, and an undeniable yet authentic charisma—quickly caught attention. Initially dismissed as a gimmick, Pete and Bas proved they weren’t a novelty act. Their talent, combined with their genuine passion for the genre, earned them the respect of both fans and established drill artists. They’ve since collaborated with major names in the scene, sold out live shows, and built a devoted following that spans generations.

But their real impact goes beyond music. Pete and Bas are living proof that aging doesn’t mean fading away—it means evolving. And that’s where the lesson for the FNG comes in. 

Let’s dispel a few myths about aging.

By a Certain Age You’ve Peaked

From a young age, we’re led to believe that our best years are behind us by the time we hit midlife. That our prime is something fleeting, reserved for the young and reckless. But Pete and Bas show us something different: growth is continuous, and if you’re willing to put yourself out there, you can hit your stride at any time. The FNG mindset isn’t about looking back—it’s about what’s next.

Learning Slows Down as You Get Older

There’s a common belief that the best learning happens in youth, that as we age, we become less interested. But let’s be honest—most of us feel sharper, more experienced, and better equipped to absorb new skills now than we did in our twenties. Pete and Bas stepped into the building, mastered an entirely new industry, and made themselves known in a space where no one expected them to succeed. It’s proof that lifelong learning isn’t just possible—it’s desirable.

You Become Set in Your Ways

It’s easy to fall into routine, to feel comfortable in what we think we know. But staying in familiar territory means missing out on what’s out there. The FNG thrives on curiosity, on testing new waters, on saying yes to the unknown. Pete and Bas didn’t just step outside their comfort zone—they owned it. Their story is a testament to the idea that staying open to new cultures, new ideas, and new experiences keeps life dynamic.

You Prefer to Stay in Your Lane

We’re conditioned to believe that different worlds don’t mix. That by the time we reach a certain stage in life, we should stick to our own crowd, our own generation. But Pete and Bas jumped straight into a scene dominated by artists 50 years their junior. They show us that respect isn’t about age—it’s about what you bring to the table. The FNG mindset? There’s no such thing as staying in your lane. The road is yours to explore.

Your Best Times Are Behind You

Think about the best nights of your life. Chances are, they weren’t tied to a number—they were tied to experiences, to people, to how present you were in the moment. Pete and Bas don’t just participate in a youthful scene—they thrive in it. They remind us that laughter, excitement, and discovery don’t have to slow down just because the years roll on. If anything, with the right attitude, they can get even better.

As You Grow Older You Lose Relevance

Society often tells us that as we age, we become less relevant—that our voices carry less weight, our contributions diminish, and our presence in certain spaces is no longer necessary. But Pete and Bas prove that relevance is not something granted by others; it’s something you claim for yourself. Their success in a space dominated by youth shows that staying relevant is about energy, passion, and a willingness to engage with the world, no matter how many birthdays you’ve had.

Fun Is for the Young

There’s an unspoken rule that fun is something reserved for the young. That past a certain age, we should trade excitement for stability, passion for responsibility, and risk for comfort. But Pete and Bas challenge that entirely. They remind us that fun, creativity, and personal expression aren’t exclusive to any one generation. The key to enjoying life at any stage is to never let age dictate what you can or can’t enjoy.

You Can’t Teach an Old Dog New Tricks

Perhaps one of the biggest myths about aging is that reinvention is off the table. Once you’ve set a path, it’s too late to change direction. But Pete and Bas prove that adaptability and evolution are always options. The ability to shift gears, to try something new, to throw yourself into an unfamiliar challenge—that’s where true vitality lies.

There is a Generation Gap

One of the most damaging narratives of aging is the divide between generations—the idea that older and younger people exist in separate worlds. But Pete and Bas smash that idea, collaborating with and earning the respect of younger artists. The takeaway? Connection is ageless. The FNG thrives on shared experiences, on learning from those ahead of us and those coming up behind us. Life isn’t about separation—it’s about integration.

You Must Grow Old Gracefully

For too long, society has dictated that growing old means fading quietly into the background, becoming less visible. Pete and Bas didn’t just reject that notion—they grabbed the mic and took centre stage. And that’s the challenge for every FNG: don’t let expectations dictate your narrative. If there’s something you want to do, do it. If there’s a space you want to enter, step into it with confidence. The only person who decides whether you’re too old for something is you.

You’re Stuck with Who You Are

Pete and Bas keep their pasts close to their chests, but one thing’s certain—they didn’t grow up listening to grime and drill. This world was completely new to them when they entered it in their seventies. Reinventing themselves at that stage in life took guts, but it paid off. While many fade quietly into the background, Pete and Bas proved that it’s never too late to take a bold leap. With an open mind and the courage to try something new, you can rewrite your story at any age.

You Become More Risk-Averse

One of the biggest shifts that aging supposedly brings is an increasing aversion to risk. We’re told to play it safe, to avoid unnecessary risks, and to stick with what we know. Pete and Bas defy that entirely. They took a creative leap into an unfamiliar world, putting themselves out there despite the odds. Their journey proves that bravery isn’t something we leave behind in our youth—it’s a choice we make at any age. The FNG knows that taking risks, following passions, and stepping into the unknown isn’t just for the young—it’s for anyone bold enough to believe in their own potential.

Final Thoughts: What Does This Mean for the FNG?

So, what does all this mean for the FNG assessing their career, their lifestyle, and their sense of worth as they grow older? It means that every societal ‘rule’ about aging is just a suggestion. It means that whatever you think is off-limits—whether it’s a career shift, a new passion, or a bold leap into unfamiliar territory—is still on the table. It means that confidence, adaptability, and curiosity don’t fade with time—they sharpen with experience.

Getting older isn’t about winding down. It’s about finding new ways to thrive. And if Pete and Bas can do it, what’s stopping you?