Harrow rapper Kibo has spoken to Harrow Online about growing up in the borough, the local places he still loves and why his home borough plays such a big part in his music.
The rising artist has been gaining attention across the UK rap scene following the release of his 16-track project Kwengletaria earlier this year.
But despite his growing profile, Harrow remains firmly at the centre of his story.
Growing up in HA3
Asked where in Harrow he grew up and where he went to school, Kibo told Harrow Online: “I grew up in HA3 and I was a Salvo boy.”
As most of our readers will know, the reference is to Salvatorian College, the boys’ school on High Road in Wealdstone. And when it comes to his favourite places in the borough, food is clearly high on the list.
Kibo said: “I love to eat so let me shoutout Cooper Thai, Masa and rest in peace to the late great, Pumpkinz Kitchen.”
Putting Harrow into his music
Harrow references can be found throughout Kwengletaria, including tracks with titles such as “Parrow-on-da-Hill” and “HAlienz Interlude”.
Explaining why it was important to put his hometown so heavily into the project, he said: “It’s my home, where I was born and raised. This project was my coming of age tale and so naturally my starting point held a lot of significance – it’s the origin point of my origin story.”
The project explores a wide mix of sounds, including grime, UK garage, jungle and drill, while building on what Kibo calls “Kwengletarianism” – the distinctive world and philosophy that surrounds his music.
Dream collaborations
Kibo has already received recognition from some major names within UK music, but when asked who he would most like to work with, his choices stretched well beyond one particular sound.
He said: “My answer changes every day, I’m convinced I could make a great tune with a broomstick. As of this moment, I’d say Billy Bragg, he’s always been a dream collaboration. Him or Chief Keef.”
On whether recognition from established artists makes it feel as though his career is moving to another level, he said the reaction from listeners means even more.
“Things are constantly progressing and I’ve been cosigned by some people I really admire, but the recognition from listeners who really respond to the music and hold it with them, who show up for me and are fully on board with the movement .. that is the real sign to me that things are moving in the correct direction.”
What comes next for Kibo?
Kibo has already taken his music around the country, with his sold-out Kweffy World Champ Tour earlier this year ending with a homecoming show at Trinity Bar in Harrow.
He has also performed at Boomtown and Reading & Leeds and appeared at London’s inaugural SXSW showcase.
Looking ahead, he told Harrow Online: “This project was a labour of love, and it was important for me to lay down the foundations of my story with this project. Now I get to put pedal to metal and have a lot of fun with different sounds and ideas. Next year I wanna keep taking the music around the world and divulging more Kwengletarian lore.”
Kibo announces UK headline tour
Kibo will be back on the road this autumn for the Kwengletaria UK headline tour.
The three-date run will take him to Rough Trade Bristol on 28 October, Village Underground in London on 30 October and Manchester’s Deaf Institute on 1 November.
The tour follows a busy year for the Harrow rapper as he continues to take the world of Kwengletaria beyond HA3.
Tickets for the shows are available now through Live Nation.
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Chris Mitchell is the founder and editor of Harrow Online, Harrow’s leading local news platform.
He launched Harrow Online in 2010 as a Facebook page sharing local news and information. Since then, it has grown into a trusted source for breaking news, crime, council decisions, planning, transport, business and community stories across the borough.
Harrow Online reaches hundreds of thousands of readers each month and has a social media audience of more than 200,000 followers.
For news tips, press releases or enquiries, contact Chris at info@harrowonline.org.
