One of the most established duos in British rap, Krept and Konan, return to the music scene as independent artists, after a six-year break. Known for hits like Freak of the Week (ft Jeremih), Don’t Waste My Time, and Pour Me Another One (ft Tabitha), Krept & Konan sit down with DIAIRES99 to discuss their musical and personal evolutions, and how this is reflected in their new album - the introspective, bouncing, and witty, Young Kings II.
How does it feel to release YOUNG KINGZ II twelve years on from YOUNG KINGZ?
We released Young Kingz in 2013, so to release Young Kingz II twelve years on feels like a full circle moment for us. When we dropped [Young Kingz], we were trying to prove ourselves, push the boundaries of UK rap artists, and make a statement about who we were. That was a turning point in our careers, as it set the foundation for everything that came after - from chart success to major collaborations, and even our ventures outside music.
Now, twelve years later, we’ve grown as artists and as people. We’ve experienced life more since then; fatherhood, loss, success, setbacks, the highs and everything in between, and that’s all reflected in Young Kingz II. The music still has that passion, but now it comes with experience and a different level of perspective. This project isn’t just about nostalgia, it’s about evolution and showing how far we’ve come, while still staying true to us.
What’s your favourite track on the new album?
Our favourite track changes every week, because the whole album has different moods and moments, but right now we’d say Bedroom ft Sizzla. He’s a legend where we’re from, so to have him on the track is a mad moment for us. It’s more than just a feature - he delivered something special.
With highly personal lyrics, matched with grit, dancehall and afrobeats, Young Kingz II is an extremely dynamic album. What was the process like building this on the album?
Krept: There’s a lot of personal moments on this album. One of the most special [moments] for me is Nala’s Song, which is a song I’ve written to my daughter. It’s everything I wish someone had told me when I was younger—guidance and reassurance. It’s a gift to her, but also a reflection of my own journey.
Konan: For me, it was a letter I’ve written to my Dad, where I open up about everything I’ve been through and where I’m at in life as my way of speaking to him, updating him on my journey. It’s something I think a lot of people will connect with, whether they’ve lost someone or just have things they wish they could say.
Can you talk to me about the concept behind the album’s cover art?
The queen represents the powerful women in our lives, our mums, daughters, and the strong female figures who shape us. Then you’ve got the joker with a keyboard, which represents the online trolls and negativity that come with being in the public eye. Social media gives people the power to say anything from behind a screen and we wanted to highlight that. Us as kings speaks for itself. The blackjack is a nod to our past, the younger versions of us, our upbringing, and the things we’ve been through that shaped who we are today.
If you look closely, there are hidden easter eggs throughout the artwork. Little details which represent staple moments in our career; every piece tells a part of the story. We wanted it to be something people could look at and really take in, because just like the album, there’s a lot of meaning behind it.
You’ve just opened Save Ways, a supermarket for Black and ethnic minorities in your hometown of Croydon, and Konan is in the process of founding a PTSD charity, Calming Minds. You’ve shown how important community is to you - how, in turn, can we support the music community?
Supporting the music community is something we take seriously; it’s one of the reasons we got involved in the rap game. We wanted to create opportunities for new artists, to give them a platform and help them navigate the industry the right way. The UK scene has so much talent and it’s important to keep pushing that forward, whether it’s through mentoring, collaborations, or just making sure upcoming artists get the exposure they deserve.
One of the biggest ways to support the music community is by taking it international. The UK scene has its own unique culture, sound, fashion, and history; we’re pushing for it to be recognised and respected on a global level. That comes from pushing boundaries, working with international artists, and making sure the right people hear the music.
What can we expect from you this year, and the years to come?
Musically, Young Kingz II is just the start this year; we’ve got our intimate live show on April 9th, at Outernet in London, and we’re playing a run of festivals over the summer. We’ve also got some big ventures in the works, not just in music but across different industries, from business to charity projects.
Interview by Madeleine Ringer
