KiLLOWEN ft: Frankie Stew and Harvey Gunn - cook & effy (Single)
Picture Credit: chauffeur (@ksh.n)
London's KiLLOWEN is joined by Frankie Stew and Harvey Gunn for new single 'cook & effy' taken from his forthcoming EP 'six missed calls' due next month. KiLLOWEN gives his listeners the first glimpse of the overarching concept of the upcoming EP centred around self-recorded voice notes from fans as heard across the intro and outro. Regarded as an artist who wears his emotions on his sleeve, KiLLO offers full transparency in 'cook & effy', which he first teased during his Reading Festival performance last year. With consistency to his noughties references and nostalgia throughout his discography, the 25-year-old dedicates the song title to the iconic series 'Skins', which became a cult-classic post-release in 2007.
Music has always been the destiny of KiLLOWEN. Born in Hayes, he moved to Buckinghamshire during his pre-teens, giving him a completely different perspective on life as he knew it. His earliest musical memories stem back to rapping along to instrumentals as young as 7, which birthed a curiosity to explore new avenues of creativity. His older brother, a D&B DJ, was responsible for nurturing his musical knowledge and shared experiences that came with his journey, encouraging KiLLOWEN to explore alternative genres. Along with his discovery of Breaks, Dance, Grime, and Dubstep, KiLLOWEN was drawn to a golden era of UK and US Rap, citing Skepta's 'Black Listed' Kendrick Lamar's 'Good Kid Maad City' and Kanye West's 'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy' as pivotal albums. Those projects also shifted his perspective on how far he could push his early abilities to play instruments, produce, rap, and sing, leading to years of perfecting and showcasing his craft at any opportunity. With relatability infused in his storytelling, KiLLOWEN has organically become a voice for like-minded mid-20-year-olds in Britain who are processing the realities of adolescence. All of these align with the core purpose of his career as an artist: to paint a picture of what life is like for many people like him. His sound as we hear it today could be coined as Garage-Rap. In a world where virality can't be pre-meditated, his 2023 single 'Sober' was a shifting moment that kickstarted an influx of broader attention. Since then, the milestone moments have become a much more regular occurrence. In the same year, KiLLOWEN released his highly acclaimed debut project' Pub Therapy', which he cites as "a narration of me coming into adulthood and becoming more emotionally mature". At just 25 years old, KiLLOWEN's persona and music are everything you would imagine from "a man on a mission".
Electrifying duo, Frankie Stew & Harvey Gunn have been making waves in the UK music scene with their unique blend of soulful sounds and thoughtful lyrics. Having worked with notable artists such as Loyle Carner, Kojey Radical, and Kofi Stone, they have cemented their place among the most exciting talents in contemporary music. After a long time discussing a collaboration with KiLLOWEN [via DM], the wait is finally over with ‘cook & effy’.
A busy year ahead for KiLLOWEN has already kickstarted with a flurry of vlog-style videos on his YouTube that cover his recent tour antics alongside close friend and collaborator Songer. With a UK tour of his own to follow the release of 'six missed calls', he's laying a solid foundation for a long-lasting career with a genuine love for music at the core of every decision. It's an exciting time to be a fan of KiLLOWEN.