Nice & Good

Alternative Rap OG Knucks calls on the ever-entertaining SL for his latest album teaser Nice & Good.

At this point, Knucks really has mastered his craft, with each song manifesting his jazz-infused soundscapes, profound storytelling and signature flow. The new single is listener’s latest encounter with Knucks’ upcoming project, ensuing silky double-drop Alpha House / Hide & Seek and moody follow-up Leon the Professional.

Like many of the South Kilburn native’s tunes, Nice & Good incorporates different sub-styles from UK and US rap within a unique hybrid approach to alternative music. Knucks rides the bouncy instrumental with charismatic poise, gliding through flow and cadence like a seasoned veteran. SL proves he’s still got it after a tame 2021, going back-and-forth with Knucks for the memorable hook before delivering a polished verse brimming with cheeky bars and nonchalant intonation. The video’s B&W aesthetic embodies the mood created in the sonics, as we see the two rappers kicking back with their dons. Watch out for some familiar faces from the scene throughout the visuals! 

One of the first in the UK to really push the boat out sonically, it appears that the nuanced rapper may soon reap the rewards of innovation. Could this be the album that finally gets Knucks the wider mainstream acclaim he deserves, having floated patiently beneath the glistening surface of commercial rap during his esteemed tenure? With his numbers steadily rising and features increasingly impressive, we can only hope that Knucks’ May-dropping project marks the beginning of an Alt Rap take over.