Kemikali - Hypothesise This (Debut EP) + Interview
Kemikali is a Bristol-based hip hop and grime artist, poet, and DJ
Heavily inspired by the art of emceeing, his sound fuses conscious storytelling with battle rap energy, all delivered with a lyrical dexterity that rivals the best in the game. Scientist by day, rapper by night, he’s always cooking up something fresh in the lab. Catch him dropping knowledge on the mic or spinning everything from bass and breaks to techno and dubstep.
We caught up with Kemikali after becoming one of the winners for Novembars last year on JOIISOL’s beat. Since winning he has released his Debut EP and currently working on the winning beat with JOIISOL.
1. So tell me how did it all begin, what sparked your passion for music?
Since my earliest years I've had a passion for lyrics, poetry and experimental soundscapes. I got into hip-hop at age 8, introduced by my older brother who was listening to mainly US artists like Ludacris, Nelly & The St. Lunatics, Eminem etc. It very quickly became my own thing, as I caught the bug for everything from gangster rap to conscious hip-hop. The passion was certified when I discovered UK Hip Hop in the early 2000s.
Also, from my earliest years, I remember rocking to tracks like Puretone 'Addicted to Bass' and Mr Oizo 'Flat Beat', so my music palette has always been wide. Makes sense, as I've been a DJ for the last 15 years. On reflection, my dad was a very serious collector of Motown and Funk vinyl records. So, I guess it runs in the family.
2. How would you describe your sound?
Experimental, conscious, wavey. Wordplay-driven rap, hip-hop and grime.
3. Who/what do you consider to be the biggest influence on your music?
For sure my biggest influences are the Native Tongues generation and those whom they inspired including De La Soul, Tribe Called Quest, Queen Latifah, Mos Def, Talib Kweli. Massive props to the lyricism of Nas and Black Thought, and the musicality of The Roots. And on the UK side it'll be artists like Sway, Ty, Taskforce, Phi Life Cypher, Roots Manuva. Finally, grime wise P Money, Manga St Hilare, Jammz, JME, Footsie, LVLZ crew from Manchester.
4. What’s the proudest moment to date for you as an artist?
Releasing my debut EP on my own label eatmybeat. 37 days after I completed the recording, I dropped the EP as release number 36 in the label's catalogue, on my 35th birthday!
5. Name three things you can’t live without?
My wife, my laptop and decent headphones.
6. Name 3 people you would love to work with and why?
Hypho - He was the first artist whose music we released on my label eatmybeat. He's massively blown up since and makes incredible music. I would love to hop on one of his beats and it would kind of be a full circle moment.
I would love to collab on a track with the bro Chunky because he's one of my favourite MC's hands down. Plus, I think it would be a hot record!
Finally, a rapper/school teacher called Christian Foley because he's one of the sickest lyricists about, no doubt, and this guy is teaching kids via rap education which I highly rate and respect.
7. You released your debut EP this year called “Hypothesise This” talk us through your new work and what we should expect in the future?
I was inspired to drop this project as my debut EP, as I had already written a few projects, but none of them felt quite right to kick off my musical career as a rap/hiphop/grime artist. I had written one of the tracks from the EP, "Flavours" to a different instrumental. Although I knew it was a jam so I had to include it on the EP on an original instrumental. Then, I had a selection of other beats which were originally part of an eatmybeat project which fell through. So I had the idea to create a debut project to showcase my style and sound, which I started writing for in Oct/Nov 2024. It was wrapped by the end of the year and dropped on 18th Feb 2025 :)
Coming up this year and early next year you can look out for:
- A 3 track 140/grime EP produced entirely by Will B. These tracks have been poppin at live shows.
- A collaboration EP with an artist I met in Guinea, West Africa. We met randomly and proceeded to write and record a track in less than 24 hours (absolute hit, called "Mana Waka"). We had to complete an EP, which is a 3-tracker under our collaboration alias 'PAN-AFRIKANA'.
- A 3-track (possibly 4) hip-hop EP, also produced entirely by Will B.
- A 3-track hiphop EP produced by Bristol producer, the Illusionist.
- A few single and collaborations with artists including JOIISOL, The Mic Travellers and K Saulz.
8. What’s the best concert you’ve been to and where was it?
Jurassic 5 at Parklife Manchester, circa 2015/16.
Mos Def x Talib Kweli (Black Star) with Homeboy Sandman in London 2017.
Pusha T in Bristol 2024
9. What’s the album you’ve played more than any other?
Hands down 'Mos Def & Talib Kweli are Black Star'. Notable mentions to Nas 'NY State of Mind' and JME 'Integrity'. Recently I've been bumping 'Cheat Codes' by Black Thought and Danger Mouse on repeat.
10. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?
Don't watch the hype, don't be led by social media stats, don't fall into the 'attention trap'. Be authentic, be consistent, be patient. Continue to create regardless of how you think it sounds - it's a marathon not a sprint! Finally, if one person likes it, thousands of other people will defo like it too!
Kemikali is a true student of the culture, spreading love and good vibes through his passion for music and words
