One of our favourite artists and our Nialler9 Podcast guest last week has dropped a new single and formally announced his debut album.
Zimbabwean-Irish rapper God Knows long-awaited A Future of the Past debut album is out on September 26th via narolane records.
Misplaced Empathy is the third song from the record, after ‘The Observer’, ‘The Art Of Alienation’
“While reflecting on my journey of life, I was taking stock of how far I had come,” God Knows says. “While being thankful for blessings, I had to take accountability for my missteps, and I am guilty at times of misplaced empathy, so I wrote a song about it. It felt freeing. If you have ever felt how I felt, then I hope this frees you too. I no longer make the same mistakes – I make new ones, hopefully in the right direction.”
The track features vocal from Doda Jawn.
Listen to God Knows on the Podcast discussing his new album and more.
More About A Future of the Past
A Future of the Past, the debut solo album from God Knows, is “like the first chapter of a new book, by God Knows.” A labour of love shaped by influences and contributions from Zimbabwe, New York, Dublin, Shannon, West Africa, and beyond, the album captures the artist’s expansive creative vision.
“Sitting on 50 odd tracks,” God Knows says selecting the final tracklist was “a bittersweet endeavour,” shaped by a desire to tell a coherent story. Blending almost every style of music he loves, God Knows describes the album as containing “albums within this album.” Throughout, the MO remains the same: “collaborating, experimenting, learning new tricks and most importantly growing.” Though born from pain, the project was ultimately made in freedom and love.
Known for his vividly honest lyricism and electrifying energy wherever he sets foot, God Knows has elevated Irish hip-hop to exponential levels.
In 2020, God Knows’ debut solo EPs ‘Who’s Asking? Vol. I’ and ‘Who’s Asking? Vol. II’ saw him bring together the country’s most exciting, influential and progressive artists for a project that saw one of Ireland’s foremost music journalist Nialler9 commenting, “The ‘Who’s Asking Remix’ is one of the best things to come out of Ireland’s music scene in years. The heat of it is undeniable.” Elsewhere, The Quietus wrote that God Knows “stands proudly at the helm” of Irish hip-hop.
As part of Rusangano Family, God Knows was the recipient of the Choice Music Prize for 2016’s ‘Let The Dead Bury The Dead’ – the first ever hip-hop record to win the prestigious ‘Album of the Year’ award.
Although God Knows leaned into his mentorship role fully, it was only a matter of time before he was ready to truly step into the spotlight he engineered. As one of the two founders of narolane records, God Knows is getting ready for the most prolific period of creativity of his life.
LIVE DATES:
August
1 WATERFORD All Together Now Festival
September
12 CORK Sounds From a Safe Harbour Festival
30 DUBLIN Ireland Music Week
October
30 WALES Other Voices Cardigan
Follow God Knows:
Bandcamp | Twitter | Instagram | Spotify | Apple Music
Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005. He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Cara Magazine, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, co-founder of Lumo Club, event curator, Indie Sleaze club promoter, and producer of gigs and monthly listening parties & events in Dublin.
