How I rapped my way out of a troubled youth
KINGDOM RAPPER’S MESSAGE OF HOPE ON DEBUT ALBUM
A NOTTINGHAM rapper says his troubled upbringing saw him avoid prison by the skin of his teeth – and led to his first album release.
Kingdom Rapper – real name Benje Howard – grew up in Nottingham and its surrounding suburbs where he got involved in gangs.
Today, he is determined to help other young adults stay on the straight and narrow. Last year he was involved in schemes to teach rapping to inmates at Nottingham Prison.
The Beeston artist is trying to move away from glorifying “drinking, smoking, and causing harm to others” to promote a more positive message on his debut album The Changing Room.
The 34-year-old said: “Since 2015, I’ve been in a period of life where things radically changed for me. “That was an inspiration for the title. “I’ve been releasing music for free and that has given me a bit of a network.
“For the last two years I’ve been writing this album, which I’ve finished over the lockdown.
“It’s been a period of finding myself where I’ve changed a lot. That’s what this project is about – to show where I’ve been and where I am now.
“Some people who believed in what I was doing here have helped me by financing the album and that’s been a great help.”
Kingdom Rapper has previously told the Post about his troubled life in Nottinghamshire, including one horrific incident where he had a gun pointed at his head in his own home.
He added: “Growing up I wandered drastically off the right path and my past experiences have completely shaped this music.
“The music is completely clean but I do delve into overcoming difficult things in my life.
“I avoided prison by the skin of my teeth and overcoming addiction are some of what I rap about.
“I don’t have regrets but I do feel a bit sorry about some of the mistakes I made because I have a good heart.
“It’s important to remember your mistakes and realise you learned the hard way.
“My music takes a completely different approach to a lot of what is out there right now. I tend not to look at what others are doing for inspiration.
“Don’t get me wrong – there is so much great stuff out there and I even like some drill music released recently. But too much of it is about drinking, smoking and causing harm to others. It glorifies that behaviour.
“I’m trying to change what young people feel they need to talk about in their music.”
The Changing Room will be released on all major streaming platforms on February 24 with a music video for its lead single, On The Side, released on Youtube.
Manager Tyrone Forbes said: “Kingdom brings a unique and fresh approach to the UK rap scene, full of honesty and relatable topics which inspire people to get more for themselves and to include others.”
I’m trying to change what young people feel they need to talk about in their music
Kingdom Rapper