North-West London rapper and producer Knucks has one of the most rewarding journeys in UK rap. Having become a champion of the more alternative prong of the genre, in 2022 he took his sound and ingrained it into the mainstream with the release of MOBO-winning LP Alpha Place, which in turn has given the opportunity for UK alt and underground rap to flourish.

Although he did gift us a Larry June collaboration last year, it’s been a tedious wait for Knucks’ full solo return to the scene. The time has come now though; the dogs are out. “Nkita” feels a suitable comeback cut – it’s cheek-laden, and ominous in an unserious sort of manner. Knucks’ flow remains impeccable, adapting well to the brisk rhythmic intentions of the beat. It’s a pleasure to see Fimiguerrero, a rising name in the UK space, make an appearance on the track. He bounces off Knucks’ sleeker energy with a sharpened performance full of craft and charisma, and the pair strike up great chemistry.

The tune is accompanied by riotous visuals directed by Tyrus. Speaking on the visuals, the man behind the camera told Wonderland, “The concept is surreal and sexy; the track is super playful yet exists in a space that feels dark and tense, we wanted to blend all of these feelings. I was inspired by Hype William’s ability to world-build alongside performance, creating scenarios that take elements of everyday life – dogs being locked in a car, or simply listening to the song on speakers, and pushing them to a place larger than life. The styling in this video was another key part of creating the look for this film – it centres around fur, leather metal chains and spikes, encapsulating the Nkita (dog) theme.”

Watch the video…

In a Wonderland exclusive, we take a behind the scenes look at the visuals…