The Kehlani-approved rapper on the sincerity of art, getting recognition from Timberland and why she’s ready to leave London behind.

“What you see is what you get with me,” KWN (pronounced Kay-wuhn) quips over a phone call. She’s been wrapped up in our cover shoot and feels better for it, admitting she’s always wanted to explore fashion and modelling. Her style is minimalist and masc; a combination of fitted box- cut shirts, hats (beanies, New Era Yankees caps), and wide silver chains.

 

Growing up in east London’s Walthamstow, it’s no surprise that 24-year-old KWN has an affinity for tidy street style. Here, streets are walkways of innovative fashion microtrends and creative outfits. “I’m learning a lot about myself,” she shares. “I’ve always been very boyish and I’ve never had anybody tell me I can’t do anything. My family’s always been so supportive. My mum drilled into me from a very young age to be whoever I wanted to be.” This sentiment of self-determination is construed throughout her art: experimental beats, a unique cadence, rhythmic melodies and all lyrics that reference everything from rotten fruit to wet bedsheets and discarded clothes. “I feel like this [authenticity] translates across everything, my music, my style – all of it,” she says. “I don’t really care what people think about it. I’m always going to do me.”

You might not know it, but KWN has been dabbling in music since her early teens. With nearly 10 years of writing and creativity bagged, she’s remained honest and upfront. “Each chapter or stage has been very transparent. I was signed to a label but it just didn’t feel like I had full control over what I was doing and I felt a little bit restricted,” she explains. “Now, I can release what I want when I want, and I can post what I want too. Since becoming independent, I’ve been on an upward trajectory – I’ve fallen back in love with what I’m doing.” Without passion and intention, she felt the purpose of her art falling to the wayside, and so re-finding that creative drive was paramount. “It felt like a job,” she says, “Obviously, I know this is my work but I never want to fall out of love with it – I’m now back. I feel good and happy. I’m just going to keep doing this for me, regardless.”

 

Focusing on her next steps, KWN wants to grow her audience and ambition. She recalls the days her Instagram Live broadcasts had nobody but her manager on. Since then, her numbers have steadily grown, pulling in hundreds of viewers at a time, a feat she doesn’t take for granted. KWN’s rise doesn’t stop there, either: music royalty have been chiming in on her work too, including big names Kehlani, Queen Latifah and Timbaland. “It feels surreal sometimes”, she laughs. “I had Queen Latifah of all people like my Instagram Reel, follow me on Instagram the other day.” As for getting recognised by one of her key childhood influences, it’s a milestone she’s still taking in: “I’ve been a fan of Timbaland for so long; he’s one of my biggest inspirations in terms of production. I’m always grateful: sometimes I sit back and I’m like, ‘Wow, I can’t believe these people are following me’ and they’re genuinely rocking with me and love my stuff. I can’t really let that get to my head too much. I just want to remain focused and stay on this journey.”

KWN’s journey is inherently a musical one: growing up with a DJ dad and a mega-mash of music genres – garage house, R&B,jazz and rock – she has onboarded childhood influences and her own sonic styles. But what is she listening to now? A combination of Leon Thomas III, Mk.gee, and DESTIN CONRAD, all of whom she praises for their distinct sound. On her single ‘Eyes Wide Open’, she takes notes from innovative artists, flipping a beat from Terrace Martin’s ‘With You’ into her own soundscape. Hopping on a live, she finetuned the instrumental and, soon after, set down a melody: “I was running through melodies and ‘Eyes Wide Open’ came straight away. We made that over a couple of days but it was a very easy song to make. It was a very natural feeling and it was cool,” she says. “I love that song, it’s probably my favourite that I’ve made.”

 

Inspiration, for KWN, comes from what’s around her. She notes relationships (platonic and otherwise) and scenery as a few signifiers. Yet, interestingly, she finds a sense of sterility in her stomping ground, London. “I don’t think London has inspired me. I’m not one of those people that represents London,” she says. “If anything, it’s pushed me to do better and see past what London has to offer because I feel like there’s a glass ceiling in London.” She doesn’t elaborate on the barriers holding back fresh new artists but it’s clear her growth is focused outside the skyscraping city. “I’ve been in London for 24 years and it feels super familiar. I don’t think you can progress anywhere by staying too comfortable,” she says. “There’s so much of the world to see, so many cultures and people to meet. I haven’t travelled as much as I would’ve liked to but I love America. I’ve been going to America a lot this year and last year. I’m not saying it’s better than London but, for me, it’s just about, not being stagnant for a long period of time.”

KWN isn’t someone looking to settle down. With new music readily teased – she shares they’ve just sold her “raunchy” song ‘Worst Behaviour’ – the newcomer is ready to let her talent and discography guide her. “I’m not here to prove anything, for real, man. I make this music for myself. I’m never going to change or try and fit a mould. I’m just trying to put out good music that makes people feel good and heal people. I just want to keep that fire in me and keep it moving.”

 

Buy your copy of NOTION The Artists Vol. 1 featuring KWN here. 

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