Zimbabwean Irish rapper and Rusangano Family member God Knows has released his new single, The Art of Alienation. We asked him the BIG questions . . .
Released on Narolane Records, it follows his EP We Move The Needle and dropped just before his debut live solo performance in Limerick earlier this month.
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Inspired by Outkast's The Art of Storytelling series, The Art of Alienation "takes listeners on a personal journey of self-discovery, with the town of Shannon serving as a backdrop to explore themes of identity and belonging."
Speaking about the new song, God Knows says: "The track reflects my journey as a first-generation immigrant from Shannon, Ireland's first planned town, established in 1960 near the Shannon Estuary, where the town was developed alongside the international airport and new industrial estate."
"I explore the rich history that it holds and my trials grappling between my identity as a Zimbabwean and as an Irish man."
As part of Rusangano Family, God Knows was the recipient of the Choice Music Prize for 2016’s Let The Dead Bury The Dead - the first ever hip-hop record to win the Irish Album of the Year award.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I am an MC, I love God, I love my family.
How would you describe your music?
Rap music from the southwest of Ireland with African influences.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Wiley, Ghetts, Skepta, Winky D, Kendrick Lamar.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
Jay-Z at the Point in 2006 for the Kingdom Come album. Highlight was when he was rhymed on Lethal Bizzle’s Forward Riddim.
What was the first record you ever bought?
Usher - 8701. I rinsed that album to school and back and back again on a CD Walkman
What’s your favourite song right now?
Maverick City Music - God Problems. I play it when I am happy, when I am sad and especially when I am afraid.
Favourite lyric of all time?
'You see two decks and a mixer but I see the bigger picture’ - Skepta. That lyric aligns me when I need to keep the main thing the main thing.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Thabo Moratiwa - Dalom Kids. The nostalgia alone does most of the work.
Where can people find your music/more information?
"Type 'God Knows' artist on any/all socials and streaming platforms. You’d think I am the only fella with Godknows on a birth cert, but you would be surprised, there's loads of us. I am one of the few artists with that name though."
Alan Corr
