And then some!
Self proclaimed The Mayor of Brum (for our non-UK readers, that means he hails from Birmingham), Kofi Stone’s music is relaxed but heavy with feeling. He makes reflective rap and is a certified sweetiepie who’s not afraid to talk about his feelings. Rooted deeply in the city that shaped him, Birmingham keeps surfacing in his work as both a backdrop and a source of pride, grounding his music in lived experience rather than bravado. He also speaks openly about mental health, particularly the importance of emotional openness among men, and doesn’t shy away from broader social issues. Racism, class, grief and the realities of growing up working-class in the UK all find their way into his lyrics, handled with care rather than cynicism. In conversation, that same openness carries through. Kofi talks candidly about prayer as a place to reset, honesty as a creative superpower, and why leading with love matters more than image. Whether he’s reflecting on loss, romantic relationships, or the fears that drive him forward, sincerity sits at the core of everything he does. Here’s 10 things you should know about him.
Where he goes when he’s stuck:
To God. That’s the source, that’s where I go. Prayer helps me feel more settled.
His earliest musical memory:
Playing the piano, which my parents bought me for Christmas, in my room at around 6 years old. Even as young as I was, I felt a deep sense of joy and belonging.
His favourite word, and his least favourite word:
Love is my favourite word, and hate is my least favourite.
His favourite flower:
Sunflowers.
His love language:
Words of affirmation.
One thing he never leaves without:
My durag.
The artists he thinks you should know:
Jordvn Emmanuel, Truemendous, Sanity and Ceebo.
Any phases he regrets:
No phases I regret, everything happens for a reason.
His most controversial opinion:
The concept of a community swimming pool is insane.
Last thing that made him cry:
Christmas Day 2023, Toy Story 4 got me right in the feels.
Something people assume about him that’s not true:
That I’m serious most of the time.
The most challenging song he wrote:
“Thorns”, it challenged me a fair bit. I had the first verse for over a year and wanted to make sure the message was conveyed in the right manner. It’s a topic very dear to me so it was impotant no words were wasted in those verses.
Something that influences his work (that has nothing to do with his field):
Romantic relationships.
His most irrational superstition:
When you look away from the microwave the time goes down faster.
The place that keeps showing up in his work:
Birmingham. I always mention Birmingham in the music, as that’s an important part of my journey. I became the artist I am because of my environment. Birmingham is where I grew up; it’s not often talked about much, so I always mention it at any opportunity I get.
His most influential collaborator:
Tom Misch. I only had a short amount of time to write my verses for this session, and I feel there was a lot of growth after that session. I learned that you have to seize the moment and get out of your own way. I learned to trust my words and lead with feeling.
Something that scares him, but also helps him:
The fear of not getting to my destination. It fuels me to push forward and make things happen.
The part of his work that feels most “him”:
The part where I am most honest. Being honest and authentic is a superpower – no one has your story but you. I think it’s important that my story is told in its purest form.
What he’s most looking forward to on tour:
Performing to the people and seeing how they’ve digested the new material. It’s always interesting to see how things have connected, and you can get a real feel of this at shows.
Images courtesy of Kofi Stone
