K*Ners: ‘Why are we still talking about Massive Attack and Portishead?’

Hip-hop veteran K*Ners has been on the Bristol music scene for 15 plus years. From his first music video dropping in 2003, he’s had quite the musical journey and rubbed shoulders with the likes of Drake and Burna Boy.

After so long in the industry, he recently announced a retirement – and didn’t do it quietly. His new track and video, Time is Counting, was released alongside the news, accompanied by Genesis Elijah and many other names in Bristol.

For K*Ners, the song has definitely been a success and clocked up 11,000 YouTube views within a few days.

“It’s been so positive, everyone’s loving it,” K*Ners told the Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast.

“The reason I had so many people involved in the track is that I want to use my experience to help younger artists be the new names of the city.

“When I say ‘I couldn’t jet out the game without this’ – I’m saying that yes I’m leaving you guys but here are the people who I think can carry the flag for Bristol. That’s the concept of the song.”

He might be retiring but the rapper is working hard to make sure that he supports a new generation of musicians from Bristol that will become the next big thing. And according to K*Ners, this is something that is way overdue.

“When I was starting out 15 years ago, people would always say that Bristol is the home of Massive Attack, Roni Size and Portishead. I get it, they were pioneers of the city. But fast forward to today and people are still saying the same thing.

“I’m 43 now and those names are still the only ones that are mentioned. Why is that? Where’s the new wave?”

K*ners makes a valid point. Ask friends or Google, it’s these three names that are still being mentioned most despite Bristol being a city famous for its music scene.

K*Ners is working with a new wave of artists. Credit: K*Ners.

It’s not without reason. Massive Attack, Roni Size and Portishead are all hugely successful artists. However, it seems fair to think that in the 33 years since Massive Attack formed, our city would have produced equally successful artists.

K*Ners may be retiring from music but his focus is shifting onto a new generation of local artists. He has announced plans for his own record label, which will focus on the new wave of local musicians.

“God put me here for a reason and that reason is to do this label. I have to be that bridge between old school and the new era of Bristol music names. It’s more important to me than signing a next record deal.”

“K* Records was born. I’m ready to put down the mic and put my all in all my effort into the new wave.”

He’s a man on a mission and has already signed multiple people including “the new Amy Winehouse” and Castro, who’s been supported by BBC Radio 1Xtra.

Main photo: K*Ners

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Listen to the full K*Ners interview on the Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast: