UK rapper Knucks has announced the release of his second album, ‘A Fine African Man’, set to drop on October 31st through ADA.
This album comes after the success of Knucks' debut LP ‘Alpha Place’, which received acclaim as a modern classic in British rap. It debuted at No.3 on the UK Official Album Charts and shared the title of MOBO Awards 2022 Album of the Year with Little Simz’s ‘Sometimes I Might Be Introvert’, marking the first tie in the history of the awards.
The first glimpse of ‘A Fine African Man’ was provided through the single ‘Cut Knuckles’ – a reflective track that captures the warmth of Knucks’ smooth delivery while commemorating his early years in Nigeria.
While his debut LP focused on his personal experiences growing up in a North London estate, ‘A Fine African Man’ broadens the narrative, exploring Knucks’ transition to adulthood between Nigeria, his birthplace, and his adopted home, London.
The album’s title references his birth name, Afam, and weaves a compelling story of identity, inherited shame, cultural estrangement, masculinity, and the reclaiming of ancestral pride as a first-generation immigrant.
As with all of Knucks’ creations, the album is infused with cinematic influences, ranging from Nollywood classics to a homage to City of God in the cover art, making ‘A Fine African Man’ both personally resonant and culturally rich.
Regarding the album, Knucks states: “This project has taken two years to create. Two years of writing, reflecting, and living. Long nights spent in studios from London to Jamaica to Nigeria. I see this as a continuation of Alpha Place – another facet of who I am. I’m born and raised in London, but a significant part of my identity stems from my Nigerian heritage and the time I spent there during a crucial period of my life.
This project delves into the dualities of a child raised in London who is equally Nigerian and distinctly an African man. I was curious about how these two worlds could coexist in my music, as I embody both. I hope this project resonates with you similarly to how you engaged with Alpha Place.”
The music video for ‘Cut Knuckles’ was filmed in Lagos and co-directed by Director K (Wizkid, Burna Boy), and serves as a testament to Knucks’ mixed heritage and the cultural contrasts that inform this new chapter.
Check it out below.
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UK rapper Knucks has officially announced the release of his second album, 'A Fine African Man,' which is set to drop on October 31st through ADA. This album is a follow-up to Knucks’