Introducing... Kojey Radical

Kojey Radical is a man with many strings to his bow. Although he describes himself as an artist, his talents clearly know no bounds as he is also a poet, a musician, a director and creative director of Push Crayons, the creative media agency and network that he founded. Oh - and he's also an occasional art director for contemporary menswear’s brand, Chelsea Bravo.

But it's not his ability to balance these committments that's impressive. No, it's his passion for art, his freedom of expression and willingness to experiment that sets him apart.

Since arriving on the music scene in 2014, Kojey Radical has carved a name for himself as a creative storyteller, using different mediums to enhance and enrich his words. Check out his website here and read below to unpack his motives and learn just what goes on inside his head.

How did you get to where you are now?

Perseverance and understanding. You only hurt yourself by underestimating the power of practice hours. Honing your craft and having self belief is imperative, you can’t get anywhere without it. 

What’s your favourite thing about your job?

Performing is an absolute highlight. I take pride in my live shows and knowing and appreciating my audience, Connecting with people that connect with my art. 

What’s a typical working day like for you?

There is no typical day, I try and stay as busy possible. I think if there was a typical day i’d go crazy. I don’t even like staying in the studio for too long. As long as i’m creating i’m happy. I need to end the day knowing I having made something, could be anything.. a song, a drawing, an idea… anything.

What made you get into this industry?

It seemed like the most logical next step, I was writing and performing poetry but I felt like I needed another outlet and poetry felt a little bit too stagnant. music was the only thing that i could see myself writing, performing, directing and genuinely doing all the things that I enjoy. A lot of the people I was inspired by creatively, were either musicians or had worked in music at some point.  

Tell me something about your job that few people know.

The things that you think are impossible, are not and they want you to think they are impossible so you don’t try, so that the infrastructure still exists and they can monetise and make money off you. 

What’s one thing that you strive to do in your career?

Earn enough to do more. I’d love to open an art school in Africa and invest in new creative ideas.

How important is social media to your role?

It’s important for branding myself as an artist, but it does my head in. My goal is to get big enough to never have to rely on those platforms ever again.

What are the biggest challenges that you’re seeing in your industry and how do you plan on overcoming them?

There are too many problems to name and i think they present themselves as and when. I think one of the most common and probably the easiest to combat at the moment, is being labelled and defined via race. People look at me and instantly assume that I make grime cause I’m young black and from London. I have to remember to continuously be myself and jump out of all boxes people choose to place me.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt so far in your career?

I haven’t learned it yet.

What do you do to stay inspired?

As cliche as it sounds, I live. You can find inspiration in every life experience. 

How would you define what it is that you do?

I wake up, I breath oxygen. I make art, I make music, I go sleep. Then repeat.