With a terrific sharpness to his technicality, a voice that commands any beat it rides atop of, and emotional breadth behind his lyricism, Jelani Blackman is proving himself to be one of the finest talents emerging from the London rap space.
He’s built an impressive resume since breaking out in the scene towards the back end of the 2010s. With a storming COLORS show, solid solo projects, and collaborations with a wide variety of heavy hitters – Fred again, Gorillaz, Wolf Alice and Ghetts amongst others – he has shown cultured artistic vision and sonic dexterity.
He has just augmented his discography further with the release of his long-anticipated debut album, The Heart of It. Across the LP’s fifteen track, Blackman offers a soaring fluidity of genre; from straight-cut rap numbers to electronic-leaning immersion and undeniable pop energy, it’s a sprawling and explorative body of work. Tackling society, politics, love and living through the eyes of a young adult in modern London, the album is characterful and reflective, boasting features from household names like Kojey Radical, Bob Vylan and Biig Piig.
We caught up with Blackman, discussing collaborations, the stylistic variation on his new record, and what’s next for him.
Listen to The Heart of It…
Read the full interview…
Who and what inspires you to create?
Society and love inspires me. The need to tell a story, and explain life the way I see it.
How did you first start singing and rapping?
I first started rapping in the park when grime was first around, I was singing before that, probably in my bedroom to myself.
You’ve got an impressive array of collaborations under your belt. Who’s stood out to you?
It’s hard to say because they’re all significant in some way, but the Gorillaz collaboration was a massive moment for me.
Who would you love to work with in the future?
I’d love to work with Kendrick, I respect him so much as an artist, and his versatility, I feel like we’re similar in that way.
Congratulations on your first album, The Heart of It! How does it feel to be releasing it out into the world
It’s mad to be honest, I’m still kind of just taking it in. I think it will feel real when I go on tour and play the music live with people for the first time.
Why did now feel like the right time to release your debut LP?
It felt like now was the right time because I think it’s the best music. It’s the most complete version of me as an artist, and the clearest insight into the subjects and stories that mean something to me.
What was the creative process behind the project?
I spent a lot of time listening to other albums, a huge range of music from folk to electronic and R&B. Then I got in with a lot of producers I’d worked with before and some new ones which gave me different energies and perspectives to bring to the music.
What are the main themes you reflect upon in the body of work?
There’s a lot of social commentary, on race, inequality, economic turmoil and political corruption. But also love and hope and finding joy with the people you care about.
It’s stylistically really varied, where does that breadth of influence stem from?
Just me as a person really, I am interested in a lot of different things, and music, and forms of art. So it feeds into the music that I make, I’ve tried to be more focused but it doesn’t seem to work.
Where do you want to take your artistry?
It’s always going to be musically diverse and have depth of meaning. I’ve just finished this album and it’s given me an idea about what’s next, but that might change once I’ve digested it and gone on tour.
What are your career goals?
I just did my album launch in the Avenell Club at Emirates Stadium, one day I want to play in the stadium itself.
What’s to come from you?
Practically, a tour beginning of next year. Generally, more music, more life, more words.