Kojey Radical’s Ego Death

Through introspection and a total embrace of vulnerability, the British-Ghanaian rapper has stepped up to become one of music’s most provocative storytellers.

Photographs by James Robjant

◼ AFTER CASTING OFF LAYERS of coats, Kojey Radical (who was born Kwadwo Adu Genfi Amponsah) is buoyant and radiant – though a hit of that shine is coming from his newly purchased grill. He’s also keen to shed something else: the crown of “alternative rapper of 2022”. “Deep down, who really gives a fuck?” he asks, chuckling. Those monikers have always come with baggage: an attempt by the industry to nudge subversion outside of rap’s mainstream. In recent history, “alternative” has been attached to rappers from Little Simz to Loyle Carner who create soundscapes outside the neat constructs of drill, grime and Afro-fusion. For 29-year-old Radical, the term feels pointless. “At the end of the day, it’s all hip-hop,” he rationalises. “Whether it’s grime, drill, R&B, whatever, it comes from…

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British GQ Style (Digital) - 1 Issue, Issue 35

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