Knucks

Born in London in 1994 and tied to the Kilburn area, Knucks, real name Ashley Afamefuna Nwachukwu, develops British rap nourished by grime, New York hip-hop and a muffled soul-jazz, with writing that pays close attention to the details of daily life and urban landscapes. Of Igbo Nigerian origin, he began releasing in the mid-2010s with the Killmatic mixtape in 2014, then sharpened a format in which tracks often unfold like brief scenes, mixing storytelling, social observation and melodic production. After several singles, Knucks released the NRG 105 EP in 2019, followed by London Class in 2020, a project that further anchored him in a London scene where rap, spoken word and jazz influences intersect. His first studio album Alpha Place appeared in 2022, featuring appearances by SL, M1llionz, Sainté and Stormzy, and extending this supple aesthetic, both introspective and anchored in the rhythm of contemporary UK rap. Knucks has also collaborated with Loyle Carner, Venna and La Fève, while maintaining a personal approach, composed of calm flows, measured refrains and arrangements that avoid ostentation.