KID BOOKIE’S highly anticipated new album ‘SONGS FOR THE LIVING // SONGS FOR THE DEAD’ is out now on MARSHALL RECORDS—a bold fusion of rock, metal, and rap that dives deep into personal struggles, resilience, and raw self-expression.
Speaking on the release of his new album, Kid Bookie shares "I feel proud of myself for challenging not just who I am musically but who I am as a person, then presenting that to an open world of thoughts and criticism... crazy. I’m just happy to still be here with a team that believes in me when there are many other artists with trajectories easier to see than mine. It gives me hope the next swing will be out of the park. That’s where my thinking is: do better, be proud, repeat".
Along with the album release, the two-time MOBO Awards-nominated artist shares a tongue-in-cheek new video for the pop-punk anthem 'LOVE DRUNK' to celebrate. The track is a collaboration between Bookie and writer/producer Tom Mitchener (Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes).
“This is a funny one. I came in the studio with Tom, and he probably expected me to come in and do some nu-metal, but I just picked up the guitar and hummed these lyrics, and he was like, 'Okay, so we're making a fucking pop-punk song! Wicked!' It's not like I'm spilling my heart like in the other songs. It's more just a feel-good song.
“Love Drunk video was fun, nothing overthought, and just the tone and mood of the song shine through in this cheesy, happy-go-lucky video that, for once, even your mum can enjoy.”
Kid Bookie's latest album, Songs For The Living // Songs For The Dead, consists of 11 genre-defying tracks crafted alongside collaborators such as Good Charlotte’s Billy Martin, Skindred’s Mikey Demus, and producers like Tom Mitchener (Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes) and Romesh Dodangoda (Bring Me The Horizon). The album marks a bold evolution in his artistry, blending rock, metal, and rap into a singular sound that defies conventional expectations.
Through his music, Bookie candidly reflects on his struggles with acceptance, self-doubt, and the pressures of growing up in London. Themes of inadequacy, heartbreak, and obsession with death are juxtaposed with resilience, defiance, and triumph. His refusal to conform to cultural stereotypes, particularly as a Black artist in the UK, resonates deeply, making his work both personal and universally relatable.
“A lot of this album is about feeling inadequate,” Bookie admits, revealing a vulnerability that drives the raw, authentic sound of the record. By embracing his insecurities, he has created his most self-assured album yet. Bookie’s unique approach challenges norms, making him a standout figure in today’s music scene.