UK rapper Nines is continuing to turn heads both in England and abroad thanks to his raw and uncompromising lyrics. His 2017 debut album One Foot Out put him on the map as one to watch, before his 2018 album Crop Circle saw him catch the attention of some of the biggest names in both music and sport.
The album saw him collaborate with Dave, as well as members of his collective, Ice City Boyz, as well as perform hit single I See You Shining during boxing star Anthony Joshua's ring walk at Wembley Stadium in September 2018. It was a breakout moment for a rapper who's stuck true to his roots since his first mixtape in 2012, but he hasn't let it go to his head. Instead, he's determined to keep on improving.
Despite his success, music wasn't always on his radar. Speaking to Crack Magazine, he recounted a conversation with his mum that changed his mind on becoming a rapper. “I never planned to do music. I went to college for a couple of weeks but that wasn’t really for me. Then my mum was onto me to do something positive with my life, so I told her I’d become a rapper. I’m still the same guy as before, it doesn’t matter how big I get." It's this authenticity that is resonating with so many people.
He's not all talk, either, as he's all about his community. In the same interview as mentioned before, he discusses being a mentor for the younger members of his area. “I speak to the young bucks here. I chill with them, and sometimes I might just listen, but other times I’ll have words. Don’t get me wrong, they get into trouble. But they’ve got us to listen to. And it was the same for us, we had the elders.” This comes through in his music - this sense of pride of where he's come from, but also this sense of making sure that those who come after him have better conditions.
Nines continues to present a snapshot of what London is really like, while also elevating those around him. As 2019 draws to a close, he's currently preparing his next release, and it's sure to make people stand up and take notice, if they haven't already. Nines is all about keeping it real, and making sure that people understand what's going on in South London. He's bringing the area to the world, and it's about time that you give his music a listen - he's a superstar in the making.
