KOJ - Villain with a Conscience (EP)

Picture Credit: Anthony Wilde

Upcoming British rapper KOJ continues his ascent with the release of his highly anticipated debut EP, Villain with a Conscience, is out now via Interval Records under EMI North. 

Building recognition as one of the UK’s rising stars, Liverpool’s KOJ is a versatile and introspective rapper who blends raw emotion with bold production. His music explores themes of self-discovery, power, and the consequences of ambition.

After making a statement of intent on 2024 single 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, and recent single Villain With a Conscience continued these themes, delving into feeling out of place in various worlds before finally stepping into his own. On EP focus track SINterlude, featuring Ni Maxine, KOJ takes a real deep dive into the harsh reality of many young people’s lives, especially in working class communities:

“I touch on real life events as well as painting a vivid picture of what life can look like from my perspective - whereby I am glad I have survived so much and have experienced so much but I also have to balance survivor’s guilt and finding a way forward whilst carrying that baggage.

The record can be viewed as a time lapse of turning negatives into positives. Between the production, by TEE, and Ni Maxine’s vocals - I think we articulated the light I traverse through the ‘darkness’. The video, which was conceptualised and directed by YawOwusu and shot by my most frequent visual collaborator Ollie Bradley-Baker, is an apt visual representation of exactly that same journey. We wanted to show the intense battle for survival we face and ultimately the salvation that can be reached when we just get out of our own way and live free. I see this moment in this campaign, and in fact my career, to be a pivotal one and I am sure you will see why if you continue to watch me on my path.”