The most exciting emerging talent emanating from the North of England, Zimbabwe-born, Hull-based creative force Downtown Kayoto, unleashes his highly-anticipated EP Thinking With My Ears, alongside lead single “My Best”. This will be celebrated with DK’s debut London headline show at The Lower Third on release day.

Following on from three intoxicating singles including, “Came Thru”, “Trust U” and the recent “Coastlines”, Hull’s creative trailblazer continues to showcase his unique blend of sonic innovation and thoughtful, original lyricisms that has made the Yorkshire-based talent one of the most eye-catching new names of the past two years. This project is set to launch the young star into the very upper echelons of the UK music scene — his unique style outlining a narrative of nostalgia and early personal experiences dipping into fashion and love interests alike setting the tone for a deeper and more personal perspective of a new generation.

Completely co-produced by DK himself, the 8-track R&B-infused project continues his rapid growth as both an artist and creative, enlisting fellow producers such as Dan Briskin and Frankie Sococa — fresh from his production “Super Shy” by NewJeans — alongside DK’s smooth lyrical prowess focussing on the theme of confident vulnerability. Touching upon a past relationship, DK encourages the listener to be comfortable in expressing feelings and emotions. Whether it be on the choppy 00s R&B influenced bed of “Came Thru”, the drum-ridden “My Best” — co-produced alongside Grammy-award winning songwriter GG (“W” by Kofee & Gunna, “Monalisa” by Lojay & Sarz”) — or the guitar led rendition of “Ex To See Me Cry”, DK stays true to vulnerability throughout, introducing “iTried” with “is it bad if I said I didn’t want to let you in sometimes, I tired.. to make this right’. This EP is a standout reminder of the rising talent’s skill in crafting a sense of nostalgia, showcasing an artist well and truly beyond his twenty-three years of age.

Speaking on the EP, DK states: “This is a body of work that pulls from a breakup and trying to find a way to talk about it in a way that feels fresh and that hasn’t been done before, but also trying to tell my truth without it being cliché. It was amazing to produce as well and come up with a coherent project that you can listen to from start to finish. It feels like it’s got a thread tying everything together. It’s my favourite EP to date and it’s taught me so much and I’m learning so much.”

Downtown Kayoto is the definition of a new generation DIY artist, directing the entire spectrum of his world, from production to art direction to the choreography in his videos. Having amassed millions of streams across his catalogue so far and gaining a significant cult following in the process, the Hull native has become a beacon for individual expression and creativity, gaining significant critical attention across both sides of the Atlantic in the last year, PITCHFORK, NME, THE FACE, PIGEONS & PLANES, LYRICAL LEMONADE, WONDERLAND MAGAZINE and COLORS amongst others heralding a breakthrough new talent. Recent single “Came Thru” has already gained over 1M+ views so far across TikTok and Instagram as well as receiving tastemaker support from the likes of CLASH who described the track as an “addictive piece of alt-R&B that has a sting in its tail" and WONDERLAND MAGAZINE who stated “DK speaks to the power of cultural impact”.

Add to this comprehensive BBC RADIO 1 airplay from Jack Saunders, Gemma Bradley, Arielle Free, and Jessie Ware, as well as Apple Music / Beats 1 support from Pharrell Williams and Zane Lowe, DK has secured coveted support slots alongside Tkay Maidza and Finn Askew, with debut festival appearances at Reading & Leeds, The Great Escape and Dot To Dot. The whirlwind of attention all points to one of the most significant homegrown talents coming through right now.

Whilst the Hull artist’s grit in his narratives and unquestionable ease on the mic belie his lived experiences north of the capital, DK’s influences from a young age have always been beyond his bedroom window – from early appreciations for musical theatre, to listening and learning scores composed at Abbey Road and being surrounded by the sounds of The Police and Michael Jackson at home, it’s formed an open musical palette and a thrilling innovation to his music, heavily inspired by the blank canvas of the Yorkshire market town that he's made his home.

Thinking With My Ears is another defining moment in Downtown Kayoto’s illustrious career, underlining himself as not only a compelling young talent in his own right but also the creator of some of the most forward-thinking sounds in the UK right now. Successfully bridging UK R&B into pop elements heralds something genuinely exciting and Downtown Kayoto’s multifaceted ability will mark him as a significant name in the creative spheres across music, fashion and beyond.