01Profile
A King Kofi Photo
King Kofi
Musician — London
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
King Kofi. I’m from London, Islington.
What do you do?
I’m a rapper, singer and songwriter.
Describe your style in three words?
Formless, atmospheric, cinematic.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
One of the best gigs I’ve ever been to is a Tyler, The Creator show back in November 2019. Tyler’s just really good at what he does. And you can tell he cares a lot about what’s going on when he’s up on stage. And I remember after the show he gave me some great career advice which has put me in good stead today.
If you could put any three bands in history on a lineup?
The Beach Boys, The Kooks and Run DMC simply because I’d know all the words to these songs.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
I’d say '90s and early 2000s hip-hop, skate culture and mid-career Kobe era basketball. I’m definitely not the best skater but I used to do it a lot as a kid and the thing I found interesting was that everything seemed really scary until you did it. And then once you did it once it became easy. And I think fearlessness, in general, is important.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
My grandparents on my mum’s side. I’ve never met them, don’t even know who they are.
Where is your favourite independent venue?
The Camden Assembly because it’s the first time I headlined a gig and from what I remember it was pretty good.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
I wouldn’t say unsung, but I’ve never understood why Kid Cudi isn’t considered one of the greatest artists of all time by everyone and not just his fans.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Where Is The Love?' by Black Eyed Peas.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Sing For The Moment' by Eminem.
One record you would keep forever?
'Circles' by Mac Miller.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
"If I told you a flower bloomed in a dark room would you trust it?"
From 'Poetic Justice' by Kendrick Lemar.
A song you wished you had written?
I’ve said in the past that I wish I’d written 'Sunflower' by Swae Lee and Post Malone. I don’t understand how that song is so good but it is.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Girls Like You' by The Naked and Famous.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'My Way' by Frank Sinatra but I feel like most of the songs I like people wouldn’t expect me to like.
A song to get you straight on the dance floor?
'I Don’t F*ck With You' by Big Sean.
Best song to end an all-nighter?
I’d probably be too tired to listen to anything but if I had to pick it’d be 'Bloodstream' by Ed Sheeran and I don’t really know why.
Any new bands you’re into at the moment?
Not bands per se but I’m really feeling Dominic Fike's debut album.
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
King Kofi. I’m from London, Islington.
What do you do?
I’m a rapper, singer and songwriter.
Describe your style in three words?
Formless, atmospheric, cinematic.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
One of the best gigs I’ve ever been to is a Tyler, The Creator show back in November 2019. Tyler’s just really good at what he does. And you can tell he cares a lot about what’s going on when he’s up on stage. And I remember after the show he gave me some great career advice which has put me in good stead today.
If you could put any three bands in history on a lineup?
The Beach Boys, The Kooks and Run DMC simply because I’d know all the words to these songs.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
I’d say '90s and early 2000s hip-hop, skate culture and mid-career Kobe era basketball. I’m definitely not the best skater but I used to do it a lot as a kid and the thing I found interesting was that everything seemed really scary until you did it. And then once you did it once it became easy. And I think fearlessness, in general, is important.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
My grandparents on my mum’s side. I’ve never met them, don’t even know who they are.
Where is your favourite independent venue?
The Camden Assembly because it’s the first time I headlined a gig and from what I remember it was pretty good.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
I wouldn’t say unsung, but I’ve never understood why Kid Cudi isn’t considered one of the greatest artists of all time by everyone and not just his fans.
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Where Is The Love?' by Black Eyed Peas.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Sing For The Moment' by Eminem.
One record you would keep forever?
'Circles' by Mac Miller.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
"If I told you a flower bloomed in a dark room would you trust it?"
From 'Poetic Justice' by Kendrick Lemar.
A song you wished you had written?
I’ve said in the past that I wish I’d written 'Sunflower' by Swae Lee and Post Malone. I don’t understand how that song is so good but it is.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Girls Like You' by The Naked and Famous.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'My Way' by Frank Sinatra but I feel like most of the songs I like people wouldn’t expect me to like.
A song to get you straight on the dance floor?
'I Don’t F*ck With You' by Big Sean.
Best song to end an all-nighter?
I’d probably be too tired to listen to anything but if I had to pick it’d be 'Bloodstream' by Ed Sheeran and I don’t really know why.
Any new bands you’re into at the moment?
Not bands per se but I’m really feeling Dominic Fike's debut album.