Krept and Konan - Young Kingz II review
for Overblown Magazine
From debating the censorship of drill in parliament, to opening a restaurant in Croydon and Krept building his Nala’s Baby empire; Young Kingz II ends a five-year hiatus in which both artists have become a force larger than music
Upon its arrival twelve years ago, Young Kingz introduced the London duo as trailblazers in the UK rap scene. Now, the album’s sequel release intertwines these remarkable off-mic accomplishments with moments of immense grief and trauma. Krept and Konan articulate the highs and lows of life with maturity, authenticity and wisdom over improvised bars and lyrics. While the album structure does not reveal an obvious arc, the structure does resemble a similar pattern to its predecessors, namely the variation of genres reflecting their Jamaican roots and South London upbringing, from road rap (also known as British gangsta rap), to dancehall, to afro-swing. Young Kingz II serves as a continuation of their legacy and their enduring relevance in Black British music and popular culture.
The introductory track, Konan’s ‘100 Mistakes’, encapsulates the central themes of the album; their resilience and the navigation of trauma and loss. Konan’s lyricism is reflective and vulnerable, “guess all the trauma in my life taught me how to move,” he raps. “When you’re the famous no one asks how are you.’ In the same light, ‘Nala’s Song’ and ‘Delroy’s Son’ reiterate these feelings as the songs move from parent to child and child to parent. The juxtaposition between life and death serves as a heartfelt tribute to the father that made Konan and the daughter Krept is raising. Piano keys, gospel singers and a laid-back production allows their messages of guidance and gratitude to shine over the heavy themes.
Krept and Konan celebrate the highs of life on ‘Low Vibrations’, ‘How Many Times’, the afro-swing of ‘Kilmanjaro’ and the dancehall-powered ‘Smooth Lovin’. These feel-good tracks break up the album, positioning themselves nicely amongst the more introspective numbers as their effortless b2b delivery mirrors the LP’s focus on positivity and unity.
The feature list might appear lengthy at a glance, but each collaboration lands with intent and demonstrate the duo’s artistic versatility. Longtime fans will appreciate ‘Last Night in Kingston,’ in which Konan sequels 2017’s infamous ‘Last Night in LA’ [lifted from the 7 days LP] with a similar ferocity; his cadence and clarity is undeniable. ‘Rage’ is filled with vicious verses and a hard-hitting bass which echos 7 Days‘ compelling aggression, featuring Ghetts‘ fitting and effortless contribution as the pair mirror the hunger of the early Grime days.
In symmetry with the mixtape that put the duo on the map in 2013, classic road rap is delivered in tracks ‘New Snap City,’ ‘Street Therapy’ and ‘Guided Me Back.’ The fusion of perspectives is shared by rap pioneers, Chip, Young’s Teflon and Potter Payper; who reflect on the hardships of street life, relentless run-ins with the police and questioning life choices through the vehicle of a therapy session.
Young Kingz II serves as a testament to Krept and Konan’s elevation, providing an intricate and authentic insight into their life-defining moments, while further cementing the duo as undisputed forces in Black British popular culture.
Check out the article at Overblown Magazine: https://overblown.co.uk/reviews/krept-and-konan-young-kingz-ii-review/
