New Single ‘LOVE, MONEY, DRUGS’ is dropping this Friday 22nd
Liverpool’s KOJ has had a breakthrough year, headlining the hometown leg of BBC Radio 1Xtra’s Touchdown Tour with DJ Target and performing at major festivals like Liverpool Sound City, Dot to Dot, and Latitude. His new live event series, TRiBE, launched in Liverpool in July and sold out immediately, with the second instalment coming up on 27 November.
His recent singles, ‘A REMINDER’ and A Roadman’s Tale of Home’, gained playlist and media support from BBC Radio 1Xtra, BBC Introducing, Spotify, Amazon Music, Clash, KISS FM, BET UK, Apple Music’s New Fire and New Music Daily, and Wordplay. KOJ also launched THIS IS NOT A DRILL, a fan-driven project where his growing community, #ThePeoplesTribe, voted for their favourite tracks. The top choice, ‘Chosen One’, inspired a live video recorded at Svara Radio in Liverpool. His Red Bull ‘Raise the Bar’ performance gained over 20k views in one day.
Gaining recognition as one of UK rap’s rising stars, KOJ’s artistry is on full display as he builds toward his anticipated EP, ‘VILLAIN WITH A CONSCIENCE’, set to be released by Interval Records under EMI North in 2025.
Image: Ollie Bradley-Baker
1. For someone that is yet to discover KOJ, how would you describe your music?
I have a very unique sound as I came from that Grime MC space which is very energetic and competitive. But as I grow as an artist I’m moving more towards an old school hip hop sound, mixed with that Grime edge, but with depth.. with a Scouse twist, of course.
2. What inspired you as an artist?
Having the opportunity to spread a message of self-betterment and autonomy, challenge the narrative and inspire others. Coming from Liverpool, where Black music talent doesn’t often flourish as it would in other UK cities that are more well known for Black music.
3. What is your process for preparing to perform live? Do you have any Diva demands?
Practice of course. But on the day, just before we touch stage, me and the band usually do a huddle. This is just to find time to be grateful for the opportunity to perform live in front of another crowd. I like to remind everyone that this is God’s plan; so long as we’re focussed, nothing can go wrong.
The more prepped I am, the more focussed I can be, which will result in ultimate shells. That being said, I can definitely be a diva from time to time.
4. Where do you feel you fit into the music landscape?
I feel like my slot in the music landscape hasn’t quite been claimed yet. Floating somewhere between conscious rap and street rap, being at the crossroads of UK Rap and Grime. Then taking inspiration from genres outside of my own makes for a unique sound and proposition that I don’t believe anybody has currently.
5. What are your favourite musical genres, and are there any you dislike?
Grime has always been a huge favourite of mine, as time goes on I’m getting more into OG Hip Hop and newer genres like Trap. If we were to take it a little outside the box; I was raised on a lot of punk, so I have a soft spot for some angry, punchy, anti-establishment music and I think that runs through me. Recently I’ve been well into German Rap and even some vintage gunfighter ballads from lord knows when.
Image: Anthony Wilde
6. What would you say is your greatest strength as an Artist?
It’s a difficult question to answer in many ways. I think my strengths lie in my passion, energy, lyrical dexterity and adaptability. But I think my greatest strength is the ability to convey emotion through music. In the hope to provoke thought and impact change.
7. What would you say is your greatest weakness as an Artist?
I don’t think I am always as confident as I’ve earned the right to be. I’ve done my 10,000 hours and more so I should have full belief in myself 100% of the time. But this can be something I struggle with from time to time.
8. What can fans expect from your new single ‘LOVE, MONEY, DRUGS’ ?
This song is about the allure of these three things. Right off the bat, love is like a drug itself, and money is always related to power. These things can empower you and help you rise up but they can also destroy you. They can literally ruin you…Through my story, I aim to take you on the journey through the highs and lows of searching for these things to uplift us. But we’re ultimately flying too close to the sun, because once you get what you want, what then? How many people do we see fall back to square one?”
9. What music artist would you say have influenced your work?
I draw inspiration from lots of artists, I find it a healthy exercise. Kano massively inspires me because of the subject matter of his music and the presentation of his art in both recording and on stage.
10. Who would you most like to collaborate with artistically?
Fraser T Smith. I think working in the right environment with a talented and skilled creative like Fraser would bring out the best in me.
11. What was your worst performance?
To be honest, performing is one of my stronger qualities in my game, so there haven’t been many bad performances.. that being said, there have definitely been some sub par performances.
Usually if I’m unwell with some kind of illness at the time of performing it can go one of two ways: Flu Game or falling apart. One time I had a 24 hour bug type of thing. We were supporting Bugzy Malone that night so when we arrived to the venue I took a couple of Cold&Flu tablets. 15 minutes before our set I started vomiting all over the place and that night, I performed worse than I looked.
12: What was the most difficult obstacle you have ever faced and how did you overcome it?
Making music that is real and true to me, I face a lot of obstacles, these obstacles evolve and change just as human beings do. I always find it difficult putting pieces of my life in the music when it happens to be relevant to other people also. Talking to the world about experiences with family and friends. These experiences are not always positive, and it’s not easy talking about people I love in a negative light. This can cause a lot of friction in my personal life. I overcome it by understanding is bigger than that. My mission is bigger than all of us. I hope to inspire the next generation – and even my peers – to be better than before; wiser, more thoughtful, more aware, more loving.
13: What is your creative process when making music. Do you work with others or is there just you?
It really does depend, and I take whatever I can get my hands on. It all started with some earphones and a random instrumental a friend of a friend made. I would play it on loop and write for hours, alone. This method has definitely evolved as my craft has become more serious. I think the best way for me to create is to be in a room with another musician, recently I’ve been working with TEE (@anartistcalledtee) who is a phenomenal new producer. TEE can play multiple instruments and has experience in Musical Direction, so when me and TEE come together, it’s pretty special. You’ll hear the fruits of our labour on my forthcoming project ‘Villain With A Conscience’
14 Where do you see your musical career in 10 years?
By that time, it’s BIG DADDY KOJ worldwide!! I see myself touring the world doing up the stadium ting. I put that on my life!
Image: Anthony Wilde
