KOJ - Villain with a Conscience (Single)
Upcoming British rapper KOJ continues his ascent with a new single and details of his forthcoming debut EP, Villain with a Conscience. The title track drops on 21 February, ahead of the highly anticipated full EP on 4 April, via Interval Records under EMI North.
Building recognition as one of UK rising stars, Liverpool’s KOJ is a versatile and introspective rapper who blends raw emotion with bold production from the likes of frequent collaborator TEE and legendary hip-hop producer Joe Buddha, to craft deeply personal storytelling. His music explores themes of self-discovery, power, and the consequences of ambition, all while maintaining an authentic voice, making his body of work relatable, relevant and thought-provoking.
After making a statement of intent with his ‘return to the game’ on A Reminder, KOJ went on to examine the seductive and destructive power of Love Money Drugs, portraying them as forces that can elevate or ruin a person. A Roadman’s Tale of Home focused on identity and belonging, while new single Villain With a Conscience takes that a step further, delving into feeling out of place in various worlds before finally stepping into his own: KOJ says: "It represents a journey through many worlds. Whilst I’ve had the ability to exist in these varied realities, none of them truly felt like my own, a place I could be my authentic self. So this song stands as the moment I decided to take a leap of faith into my own world, the real world. This is the turning point in the EP too.
The production, from TEE, sees me pushed further than I have ever been before sonically, accompanying my metamorphosis perfectly. The visual also sees me stretch my visual storytelling in a way I have never done before."
The scouse rapper had a breakthrough year in 2024, headlining the hometown leg of BBC Radio 1Xtra’s Touchdown Tour with DJ Target and performing at major festivals like Liverpool Sound City, Dot to Dot, and Latitude. His new live event series, TRiBE sold out multiple dates, receiving a nod from The Face Magazine as part of a cultural spotlight on Liverpool. KOJ also launched This is Not a Drill a fan-driven project for his growing community, #ThePeoplesTribe. His Red Bull ‘Raise the Bar’ performance gained over 20k views in one day. In the past 12 months KOJ has gained playlist and media support from BBC Radio 1Xtra, BBC Introducing, Spotify, Amazon Music, Clash, KISS FM, BET UK, and Apple Music’s New Fire, and New Music Daily.
Touted as ‘the future of UK rap’ by the likes of Wordplay and Oculate, Villain with a Conscience arrives on 4 April showcasing KOJ’s unmistakable presence in the UK rap scene.