{"id":1003113,"date":"2026-06-03T17:43:22","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T17:43:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1003113\/"},"modified":"2026-06-03T17:43:22","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T17:43:22","slug":"this-scouse-rapper-whose-music-is-reaching-as-far-as-texas-is-releasing-a-new-track-this-june","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1003113\/","title":{"rendered":"This Scouse rapper whose music is reaching as far as Texas is releasing a new track this June"},"content":{"rendered":"

Liverpool musician KOJ will perform at his flagship live event TRiBE on 25th June at 24 Kitchen Street, as a celebration of the release of his new single \u2018Punk Panther\u2019.
\nKOJ, who played the \u2018Introducing Stage\u2019 at BBC Radio 1\u2019s Big Weekend last summer, said in an interview with The Guide:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe expectation of me has gone up (since Radio 1\u2019s Big Weekend) both from my listener base and from my internal team. I\u2019ve been making a lot of music. I\u2019ve been defining my sound more, really focusing on the art itself and how I\u2019m going to package the art as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just one foot in front of the other, my single is coming out on 25th June, and that\u2019s gonna be the sign post for the future.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve taken music that\u2019s inspired me from when I was a kid, stuff that my dad put me on to. I think the content is very anti-establishment, you know what I mean? very defiant.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s been great about TRiBE recently is that there\u2019s been more and more new faces and I love the idea of new people coming and linking up with the core group that we\u2019ve had coming to every single one of them.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe great thing about Liverpool and its listener base, as well as the talent in Liverpool because people have got good taste and they know good music and they know a star when they see one and I think what we do really well with TRiBE is we showcase talent in its purest forms, but we package it in a way where it\u2019s palatable and cohesive for listeners of an eclectic variety of genres.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"KOJCredit: Becky Oliver<\/p>\n

TRiBE is designed to celebrate community, collaboration and contemporary Black creativity across the North West.<\/p>\n

As part of Liverpool Music Month, TRiBE sits inside a wider city-wide celebration of sound and culture.<\/p>\n

This edition of TRiBE will also feature Manchester\u2019s ONEDA and Liverpool\u2019s Finite Experience.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Speaking on the upcoming release of his new single \u2018Punk Panther\u2019 KOJ said:<\/p>\n

\u201cI started to work on a body of work that would capture sort of where I\u2019m at and my frustrations with what I\u2019m seeing around me.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople aren\u2019t speaking about what we\u2019re seeing and the things we\u2019re living through.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted to redefine my sound and speak on some of these things and ultimately tell people where I\u2019m at now.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo this track that\u2019s coming out is going to be a representation of how I\u2019ve grown and changed and what to expect going forward really.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"KOJCredit: Becky Oliver<\/p>\n

KOJ from South Liverpool, also visited Austin, Texas to play the South by Southwest festival in March.<\/p>\n

Telling us about that experience, KOJ said:<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a beast to be able to see the Americans be able to take it past the language barrier, it was a nice experience.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat was surprising for me was that people weren\u2019t really surprised at all (by my accent) . It was more so just a direct appreciation for what we\u2019d come to do. I was shocked by the lack of shock really.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a really nice moment of validation because it\u2019s one thing pegging away and having compliments from people in and around you, but to have that worldwide recognition in a way, that was a big eye-opener.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere aren\u2019t many wins when you\u2019re an underground artist. There\u2019s a lot of grinding and graft, and enjoying your craft and being grateful to have the privilege to be able to express yourself and perform and have people listen to you.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo go to the States and perform in the hip-hop capital of the world, that was massive for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tickets for TRiBE on 25th June can be purchased here<\/a>.
\nGet the latest music news across Liverpool here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Find out what\u2019s good up North on our new platform, The Northern Guide.\u00a0
\nFrom the best hotels, beauty spots, days out, food and more up North \u2013 visit\u00a0thenorthernguide.com<\/a>\u00a0and follow The Northern Guide on Instagram\u00a0HERE.<\/a><\/p>\n