Name a better way to celebrate your 25th birthday than with a victorious and introspective hit. North-west London rapper Knucks is kicking off 2020 in the right way with a brand new self-assertive track and “Jubilee” is jam-packed with chilled melodic verses and nostalgic orchestral samples, while delivering throwback snippets of Stormzy’s Glastonbury speech.

The lyrical mastermind commands attention and speaks greatness into existence, with his cheeky and optimistic flow over enthralling trumpets and boundary-pushing harmonies. Blasting through our speakers, the jazz-inspired track exhibits the rappers accolades and success throughout the years, toasting to sold-out headline shows and performing among icons at Glastonbury.

Knucks effortlessly emits confidence and swagger, his unique rapping style and music skillset is formidable for a rising rapper. After previous hits “Vows” and “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”, the rapper released his debut album NRG 105 last year receiving warm reception all round for its witty constructed flow and well-balanced structure. We caught up with the star and talked inspirations, his Nigerian upbringing and what’s next.

Check out the interview below…

When did you first realise you wanted to make music?
I’ve always made music as a way of expressing myself. After “21 Candles” dropped, it pushed me into wanting to make a career out of it as it organically built a buzz around my name.  

Your latest song “Jubilee” celebrates your 25th birthday, what has been your proudest moment?
My first headline show was amazing. It was my first opportunity to perform to a crowd with just my fans. Hitting one million-plus YouTube views with my song “Home” on my own channel was another milestone, I can’t lie. 

Who did you listen to growing up?
Dot Rotten,  Ice Kid, Wretch 32, Currency, MF Doom, Young Teflon, Sade, Anita Baker, the list goes on. 

In “Jubilee” you included a snippet of Stormzy’s Glastonbury speech where he shouted you out, what made you include this and how did you guys come across each other?
I included the snippet because it was another important milestone of that year for me and for the culture. I performed there earlier that day and Stormzy gave me a shout out in front of millions of people later that night.  I felt like him shouting me out made me a part of what was an iconic moment in UK Music. We crossed paths when I released “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” he reached out on Twitter and we’ve kept in contact ever since. 

You’ve spoken before about how you were sent to Nigeria when you were younger, how did this experience impact you and your music?
Going back to Nigeria was an experience that I didn’t know I needed. It forced me to mature faster and I came back with a new mindset and approach on getting things done. With regards to my music, the Nigerian culture and music that came out at the time – widened the range of music I now listen to. 

Your song “Home” touched upon a lot of issues such as knife crime and the media, what was the inspiration behind the song? 
The inspiration behind the song was to put a face and a conscience to the statistics that are usually shown in the media of young people. I used drill to get my message across to a particular demographic and to represent the people in that demographic. 

The UK rap scene has come together in the last couple of years, how important is it to support one another in the scene?
Very important to give people their flowers when they are here. 

Who would you love to collaborate with?
Sade.

What’s next for you? Is there another album on the way?
I’ve got a brand new project on the way. Stay Tuned!