Rap star Knucks reflects on the tumultuous period of his childhood, which he says has heavily influenced his music. At just 12 years old, Knucks was sent to boarding school in Enugu, Nigeria, by his parents in a bid to sort out behavioral issues that had been causing problems at his London school.
Life as an expat student proved difficult for Knucks, who struggled with his new classmates and found it hard to adjust to the stark contrasts between life in Britain and Africa. However, he formed strong bonds with some of his teachers and friends, including the school cook, who became a mother figure to him.
Despite facing numerous challenges during his time at boarding school, Knucks persevered and eventually discovered his passion for music. The experiences he had during that period have clearly shaped his artistry, as evident in his new album "A Fine African Man", which explores themes of identity, belonging, and cultural heritage.
The title track is a particularly poignant reflection on Knucks' journey as an artist, who has navigated multiple genres to create something uniquely authentic. In contrast to the more traditional boom-bap hip-hop that has dominated British rap in the past few years, "A Fine African Man" incorporates Nigerian influences, from cowbell-like instruments and traditional masquerade sounds.
Knucks admits that dropping his Nigerian name was an adaptation strategy but he still feels a sense of shame about it. He has however come to see it as a normal part of his journey, as captured in the track "My Name Is My Name".
The album is heavily influenced by Knucks' relationship with his late mentor Nathan Rodney who instilled him with confidence and guidance that shaped his artistry significantly. In an interview, Knucks revealed he still gets emotional when talking about NRG's passing but he remains committed to honoring his memory.
On the other hand, tracks such as "Yam Porridge" offer a rare glimpse into the personal life of the rapper. It is a poignant tribute to the impact that his experiences had on him and those around him.
Life as an expat student proved difficult for Knucks, who struggled with his new classmates and found it hard to adjust to the stark contrasts between life in Britain and Africa. However, he formed strong bonds with some of his teachers and friends, including the school cook, who became a mother figure to him.
Despite facing numerous challenges during his time at boarding school, Knucks persevered and eventually discovered his passion for music. The experiences he had during that period have clearly shaped his artistry, as evident in his new album "A Fine African Man", which explores themes of identity, belonging, and cultural heritage.
The title track is a particularly poignant reflection on Knucks' journey as an artist, who has navigated multiple genres to create something uniquely authentic. In contrast to the more traditional boom-bap hip-hop that has dominated British rap in the past few years, "A Fine African Man" incorporates Nigerian influences, from cowbell-like instruments and traditional masquerade sounds.
Knucks admits that dropping his Nigerian name was an adaptation strategy but he still feels a sense of shame about it. He has however come to see it as a normal part of his journey, as captured in the track "My Name Is My Name".
The album is heavily influenced by Knucks' relationship with his late mentor Nathan Rodney who instilled him with confidence and guidance that shaped his artistry significantly. In an interview, Knucks revealed he still gets emotional when talking about NRG's passing but he remains committed to honoring his memory.
On the other hand, tracks such as "Yam Porridge" offer a rare glimpse into the personal life of the rapper. It is a poignant tribute to the impact that his experiences had on him and those around him.
Knucks' story is really inspiring! I mean, who wouldn't want to turn their struggles into art? He's like a true artist, pouring his heart out onto the track. The fact that he's still feeling emotional about his mentor Nathan Rodney just goes to show how much he loved and respected him. It's dope how he's incorporating Nigerian influences into his music - it's like a fusion of sounds! 
, like he went through so much in his childhood and still managed to find his passion in music! I love how his album "A Fine African Man" explores his identity and cultural heritage - it's like he's speaking directly to people who feel like they don't quite fit in 
. the way he incorporates Nigerian influences into his rap is so unique and refreshing 
, and I'm loving the vibe of the cowbell-like instruments 
it's like he's tryin' to prove somethin', but it just comes off as forced. and what's with all the emotional drama about his mentor NRG? sounds like he's more worried 'bout how people'll perceive him than actually creatin' somethin' real.
I'm not buying it that Knucks' parents just sent him to boarding school in Nigeria because they wanted to "sort out behavioral issues" 
. There's gotta be more to it than that. I mean, what if this was actually a way for them to get their hands on some Nigerian culture and pass it down to their son? And now Knucks is using it as inspiration for his music... sounds like a classic case of cultural appropriation to me 
. And don't even get me started on how he's dropping his Nigerian name - that's just convenient, if you ask me 
. I'm sure there's some deeper meaning behind it all, but I'll be keeping an eye out for more info... 
. It's dope how he's blended Nigerian influences with UK rap to create a unique sound 
. The part that really gets me is when he talks about dropping his name – it's like he's saying we don't have to hide our heritage just because of cultural norms 
, i love how the title track talks about identity and belonging - it's something we can all relate to 
, that's real talk about community and support. also sad that he had to drop his name, but at least he's owning up to it now 