Photo by Joseph Okpako/WireImage
Kojey Radical is a British-Ghanian who was raised in East London and grown to be one of the most exciting artists in the country. He’s an MC, producer and visual artist, bringing a multi-dimensional approach to all of his work.
He’s been releasing music for more than 5 years but last year was a breakthrough year for him thanks to a string of strong releases from ‘97 to Water. Now, he’s gearing up to drop his most anticipated project to date and he’s kicked it off today with the release of Can’t Go Back.
Here’s a look into some of his most important releases.
Can’t Go Back
Can’t Go Back is the most recent Kojey drop and it’s a string-laden, powerful cut that features some of his best production to date. Lyrically, it’s about looking ahead while also ensuring he doesn’t go back to the past. It’s the first song to be lifted off a new project, his first since 2017, and signals some of his most confident work to date.
No Gangster
No Gangster is one of Radical’s latest releases and it sees him draw heavily on his roots for an African-influenced cut featuring saxophonist Shabaka Hutchings. It’s taken from a Jean-Michel Basquiat-inspired compilation Untitled which pays tribute to the influential artist 30 years after his death.
Water (Feat. Mahalia)
Water is Radical’s most streamed song on Spotify and also one of his most recent drops. It features soulful British vocalist Mahalia on a verse who slides into that laid-back beat effortlessly. The full version of the song is 9 minutes long and features an intro from Bubble Gum lead Michaela Coel. It’s the soundtrack to a powerful visual that accompanies an equally powerful song that tackles the worrisome state of the world.
One Night Only
Radical and Mahalia make a perfect pair and here he jumped on her own track for a lovelorn duet. It’s a different dimension to Radical and one that shows his R&B sensibilities. His verse is smoother than butter, the only mode that you can slide into when you’re going toe-to-toe with one of Britain’s most velvety vocalists.
97
97 is a song close to Radical’s heart about the loss of a close friend, not that you’d pick it from the sunny disposition of the beat. “I want the song to feel like a celebration. Something we can both smoke to in heaven,” he told Line Of Best Fit. With that in mind, it’s a heartwarming vision of the afterlife.
Black Rose
When Ghetts and Kojey team-up, the results are magical. This is a Ghetts song that has him talking to his daughter about the lack of black representation in the mainstream. Kojey reassures, “you’re golden,” while Ghetts recounts his own experiences exploring his own race.
