Rizzle Kicks

Formed in Brighton by Jordan Stephens and Harley Alexander-Sule, Rizzle Kicks sit at the intersection of British hip-hop, alternative hip-hop, pop rap and touches of UK garage, operating as a duo that blends rapping, singing and very melodic choruses. Their career began in the late 2000s around AudioActive workshops and the BRIT School, followed by a series of demos and online videos that led to a deal with Island. Rizzle Kicks first gained attention for a relaxed yet direct sound, informed by pop culture, hip‑hop rhythms and lyrics often rooted in everyday life. The debut album, Stereo Typical (2011), established that formula, continued by Roaring 20s (2013), where the duo broadened their palette with a fuller production and occasional soul and funk colours. On stage, Rizzle Kicks played British festivals and toured the UK and Europe, occasionally crossing paths with names like Norman Cook, Olly Murs and Ed Sheeran. After a hiatus in the mid‑2010s, each member developed individual projects — Jordan Stephens as a solo artist, Harley Alexander‑Sule under other names — before Rizzle Kicks returned in 2024. That comeback resulted in Competition Is for Losers (2025), their third album, which relaunched the duo’s activity.