Kojey Radical has spoken to NME about his recent Mercury Prize nomination, and flying the flag for UK hip-hop. Watch our video interview with the rapper above.The Hoxton rapper was speaking to NME from the London launch event for the prize yesterday (Wednesday July 27), where his acclaimed debut album ‘Reason To Smile‘ was named as one of the Albums Of The Year alongside records by the likes of Sam Fender, Self Esteem, Nova Twins, Harry Styles, Little Simz and more.Before we started talking about music, we put it to the rapper in his mint green suit that he might well have been the best-dressed person at the launch.“That’s a fact,” he replied. “I will not debate that, I will not argue that, that is a clean, clean fact!
It’s minty! Shout out to my brother [legendary designer] Paul Smith! I’ve got a great relationship with him. We met up yesterday, he showed me some options, and we knocked it out of the park.”The London star then told NME how he had ultimately been left humbled by the nomination.“To be honest, people have seen me on camera before and found me to be quite boisterous and rambunctious,” he admitted. “Today I’m trembly, giggly and nervous.
There’s a little thug tear that wants to drop every two seconds and I keep pushing it back in. Ultimately, I’m very grateful and very happy.“It’s something that I’ve manifested since I was a teen, for a very long time.
Fans of mine have always recognised that it’s going to be in my journey. To be here feels good and lets you know that all that walking wasn’t in vain.
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