Leeds emcee Kosi Tides became renowned alongside best friend Swish as The NorthaZe, since releasing the debut Up North Trip in 2013. From their earlier days spent cyphering with Leeds’ DSE rap collective, the duo steadily built a hype from hectic local performances, whilst maintaining consistency by releasing a string of mixtape releases annually. Inevitably catching the attention of the North’s most acclaimed hip-hop label Blah Records, without officially signing The NorthaZe were assisted in the release of projects now considered cult classics, such as Mellow Thrills (2016) & Pulp Diction 3 (2018). Although the Covid-19 pandemic has restricted The NorthaZe’s work-rate, Kosi Tides continued to make music regardless and released his 6 track, 15 minute EP called It Followed Me Home on August 2nd. After hearing this project, we spoke to Kosi a day into the aftermath to discover the makings and intentions of his first solo project to date.

The creation process for It Followed Me Home started in late 2019, before the makings of the project commenced around May 2020 amidst the global lockdown. “I had a lot of ideas on the go and wanted to formulate them into one spectacle,” said Kosi. “It Followed Me Home has been in the creation process since late 2019, I was writing a lot then and knew I was onto something.” The inspirations for this project echo’s Kosi’s journeys and thought processes over years gone, as well as arts and entertainment more-so than music. “In terms of inspiration it didn’t come from music to be honest,” confided Kosi, “More from my own personal experiences, games and anime’s I’ve been watching.” The first track from I.F.M.H. which Kosi penned and recorded was Violet Sky Drive, back in 2017. “Ages ago when I think about it,” continued Kosi, reminiscently. “But revisiting it recently made me want to make it a part of something, I tweaked the verses a little too.”

“I just wanted to create something that’s all mine with substance only from within my brain,” said Kosi, providing a summary of I.F.M.H. from his personal perspectives. “To me, ‘It Followed Me Home’ basically means all your experiences come with you, the best moments to the darkest moments all come back with you through that front door. I thought it was a good way to express what I do out there to what I come home to, there’s also a Halo 3 mission named after it which will give you even more understanding if you are into that.” To oversee the production of I.F.M.H., Kosi enlisted support from long-time friend Jatce, also Ghxst who is familiar from previous The NorthaZe projects, Maxmizacion who made Lost, Carter Black who made The Comedown and Husk, who produced two beats - the intro Nah, I’m Good and outro, Green Exorcist. “Husk is super talented, I’m happy to have met him at the time I did,” said Kosi, revealing how he knows Husk. “He’s a producer from Wales living up north, I found him on Instagram and told him we had to work. Luckily for me, he was local and everything was in motion from there.”

In the pursuit of desired instrumentals, Kosi tried to maintain the musical traditions of The NorthaZe. “In terms of sound it’s The NorthaZe tree,” explained Kosi. “I’m merely just one of the branches to that creation so I always keep that sound in mind while trying to execute new shit.” Also packing verses by 3 guest emcees, the first featured artist we hear is Graft in Lost. “Graft is a long term friend,” said Kosi, revealing they’d known each other since primary school days but didn’t speak much until recently. “He’s been in his music for a while as have I and thought it would be nice to finally make something happen, especially on that sound - he’s got the flows I can appreciate.” As previously mentioned, the third single Violet Sky Drive was penned and recorded in 2017. “I was literally heading home shotgun off a tab under a violet sky,” recalled Kosi. “Was a while back now, but I remember it all so clearly…” 

“I recorded Narrow Alleys late 2019,” continued Kosi, remembering the days creating Narrow Alleys with Pertrelli. “I had an idea for it for a minute but wasn’t recording much then so had it on the back burner, once I recorded the verse I knew exactly who I wanted on it and that was Pertrelli, one of the coldest with it and that song proves it. We recorded together within the same week, on July 20th.” The entire project was recorded at Pirate Studios in Leeds - “Hoodrich sessions,” laughed Kosi. “I’m back in my home studio now though which I’m happy about, your space really decides your sounds and moods.” The third and final lyrical feature is by Swish, the other half of The NorthaZe. “The NorthaZe has been inactive during the course of this pandemic,” admitted Kosi. “That’s probably what gave me more drive to do my own project, we’re back active now though, so be expecting things soon.”

Released independently, we asked Kosi if he had considered releasing I.F.M.H. through a label beforehand. “I thought about going through a label,” replied Kosi. “But me being a very spontaneous character wasn’t looking to abide by timelines, set dates and making pitches etc, I just wanted to do something I enjoy without any of the corporate shit that comes with it. The business side of music tends to take the fun away for me so I chose not to really think about it, maybe with my next release I’ll be more business minded but in this moment I enjoyed not having to reach out to anyone.” Available for purchase since August 2nd, so far Kosi has been content with the release. “I’m not concerned about doing big numbers and having huge responses or support like I used to,” said Kosi, thoughtfully. “I find peace in the music now and not the reaction, if I’m happy with it that’s all that matters.” Although no visuals have thus far been dropped to promote I.F.M.H., Kosi reveals he has at least two videos currently on the way. “I’ll release them throughout the month, I want people to enjoy the sounds for now,” said Kosi. “It’ll be Green Exorcist & Narrow Alleys - I’m working with two locals boys called Sam & Max who are pretty creative with it so it’s been a fun process. There will be green in the videos, lots of it.”

Kosi Tides, thank you for your time.

Words by Evo @ethanevo