- Words Solly Warner
- Interview Tiffany Calver
- Photography Rashidi Noah
- Styling Jermaine Robinson
- Photography Assistant Bradley Walsh
- Styling Assistant Delen Vaughan
Hailing from London's South Kilburn, Knucks continues to set the tone for his distinctive sound and music ability.
Knucks began to grow a strong interest in rhyme-based genres from a young age. With a brief stint MC’ing to himself aged 12, Knucks found more conventional hip-hop to be better suited to his rapping abilities. He gained musical influence from legends such as J. Cole, Curren$y, MF Doom and Sade. Further influence led him to creating his first body of work in 2014, “Killmatic”, an ode to critically acclaimed “Illmatic” by Nas.
After releasing a plethora of EP’s and alluring visuals, Knucks has quickly become a name to look out for. His unorthodox style has gained praise from the likes of Stormzy and Novelist and has led him to supporting Not3’s on tour and opening for Wretch 32.
Knucks’ reference towards nostalgic, jazz-inspired sounds really shine on fan favourite tracks like “Breakfast At Tiffany’s”, with his latest project, “London Class” further updating nostalgic 90s hip-hop beats in his own innovative way. The album is inspired by the rappers current surroundings and is pretty direct in personifying a man who is becoming a master of his craft.
Notion 88’s guest editor and Radio 1Xtra host, Tiffany Calver, picks Knucks as one to watch for next year. Learn more about the star on the rise below.
- Track jacket FRED PERRY X NICHOLAS DALEY
- Necklace FEATHER PENDANTS
What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
Moretime pray, then push ups.
Tell us your first musical memory…
11/12 years old recording with couple bredrins from my estate on LimeWire Beats, probably Scruface & Stimpy.
A song that sums up your life so far?
Curren$y – G’s Walk In.
If you were Prime Minister for the day – what would you do?
Sentence Breonna’s killers and Ban Boris Johnson from getting back in Downing Street the next day.
What’s your biggest learn from 2020?
No matter what you plan for your future a global pandemic can always swoop in and change things – always have a contingency plan.
You’re stranded on a remote island – you can only have five items. What are they?
Old iPod with all my music on it, a book or 2, my laptop with all my music software, some chicken and a sweet one.
- Jacket LIAM HODGES
- T-shirt MAHARISHI
- Necklace FEATHER PENDANTS
Describe yourself using one of your lyrics…
Took the lift but they wound up in arrears, while I took the stairs trana handle my affairs.
You can only eat one meal for the rest of your life. What is it?
Nah this one’s hard – maybe lasagne, I like lasagne.
What has been the defining moment of your life so far?
Probably the video release for Home, it really changed things for my career and reaffirmed I was on the right path.
Which of your songs do you think could have gone to #1?
Home, Breakfast at Tiffanys and Vows.
If you could curate the line-up for the next Tiffany Calver & Friends, who would you pick?
Mini kingz, Sam Wise, Kadiata, Kxyz and BlazeYL.
- Track jacket FRED PERRY X NICHOLAS DALEY
- Cargo pants XANDER ZHOU
- Necklace and ring FEATHER PENDANTS
- Shoes NIKE
What’s your hidden talent?
I can draw.
If you weren’t making music – what would you be doing?
I’d probably be an animator of some sort.
Cats or Dogs?
Dogs, although I’ve been slyly rating cats of recent – still though, dogs.
If you woke up to one million pounds in your bank account – what is the first thing you would do?
Invest in stocks – nah I’m joking, shopping init.
If you could win any award what would it be?
A GRAMMY I guess.
Which of your songs means the most to you and why?
Cake – it was my 3rd birthday song and the last I was able to record with my engineer/manager NRG before he died.