Birmingham-based rapper Kofi Stone makes a bold return with the release of two new singles: ‘Heartlands’ and ‘Thorns’ featuring Jacob Banks. Marking his first string of new music since last year’s long-awaited album ‘A Man After God’s Own Heart’, the double release follows a sold-out UK, European, and Australian tour – a testament to Kofi’s growing momentum and quiet ascent as one of the most vital voices in British rap.
‘Heartlands’ is a striking offering that finds Kofi at his most unfiltered – reflective, emotionally raw, and unafraid to confront the deeply personal experiences that have shaped him. It’s a moment of surrender, but also one of incredible resolve and the clarity that one often experiences when everything is stripped away. Directed by Christoph Davis, the visual unfolds within the quiet stillness of a hospital, where two versions of Kofi exist simultaneously: one waiting patiently in the waiting room, the other being tended to by doctors. It’s as though Kofi is waiting on himself, observing and experiencing his own healing in real time. “This little something got me wouldn’t go without a fight. Tried bargain with the Lord but he wouldn’t take a bribe. Looking at the doctor like maybe it’s my time..” he raps candidly, capturing the tension between fear and hope, and ultimately, the strength and determination to overcome.
“I wrote this song two weeks after getting out of hospital. I vowed to myself, once I came out, that I would live life to the fullest. I wanted to capture how I felt when I was bedbound, and how – even though I felt pretty helpless – I knew I still had a responsibility to stay alive to fulfil my purpose.” Kofi says of the track.
‘Thorns’ is equally as heartfelt – featuring the soulful vocals of British-Nigerian singer Jacob Banks – exploring the complex and often painful realities of living with mental health struggles. Told from the perspective of a resilient mother battling her thoughts daily, the track is a reflection of Kofi’s ability to write from a deeply nuanced standpoint – giving voice to the stories that are often unheard or misunderstood, yet profoundly relatable. Kofi explains: “I wanted to highlight mental health and the struggles faced specifically with schizophrenia. I approached the song from two perspectives – one from the point of view of a mother, and the other from my own.”