In an exciting development for UK rap fans, Krept & Konan, the chart-topping rap duo, have announced their upcoming fourth studio album, Young Kingz II, set for release on February 7, 2025, via their independent label, Play Dirty. The duo, known for their ground-breaking success in the British rap scene, are returning to their independent roots with this new project.
“Young Kingz was an independent project that transformed our lives and marked a staple moment in our journey. Now, we’ve come full circle, once again creating as independent artists with Young Kingz II,” Krept & Konan shared, highlighting the significance of their journey.
The album marks their first release since 2019’s Revenge Is Sweet, a top-5 charting project that cemented the duo’s position as UK rap royalty. Revenge Is Sweet was a landmark album that saw Krept & Konan make history, becoming the first British rap act to headline the iconic O2 Arena in London. This achievement followed their ground-breaking 2017 dual mixtape releases, 7 DAYS and 7 NIGHTS, which made them the first act ever to have two mixtapes simultaneously enter the Top 10 of the Official UK Albums Chart.
The duo first made waves with their 2015 debut album, The Long Way Home, which debuted at No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart, the highest charting British rap album in history at the time. Now, with Young Kingz II, Krept & Konan aim to continue their legacy and maintain their status as trailblazers in the UK rap scene.
Returning to their roots, Young Kingz II is the long-awaited follow-up to their 2013 mixtape Young Kingz, which catapulted them into the spotlight. That project broke records, landing in the Top 20 of the UK Albums Chart and earning Krept & Konan a Guinness World Record for the highest-charting UK album by an unsigned act.
Young Kingz was instrumental in establishing Krept & Konan as major forces in UK hip-hop, known for breaking boundaries and pushing creative limits. The mixtape featured an impressive range of collaborations, blending emerging talent with established names. Notably, it helped launch the career of a then-unknown Stormzy and featured appearances from top British artists like George The Poet, Chip, Tinie Tempah, and Giggs. The international appeal of the duo’s work also shone through, with US rappers like French Montana, Chinx Drugz, and Lil Durk contributing to the remix of the hit single “Don’t Waste My Time.”
The success of Young Kingz was further amplified by the duo’s win at the BET Awards for Best International Act and the MOBO Award for Best Hip-Hop Act.
With Young Kingz II, Krept & Konan are set to deliver yet another milestone in their ever-evolving and record-breaking career. Fans and critics alike anticipate that this album will once again showcase their signature sound, dynamic collaborations, and their unmatched ability to push the boundaries of British rap.
As pioneers in UK hip-hop, Krept & Konan continue to shape the landscape of British music, and with Young Kingz II, they reaffirm their place at the forefront of the genre.
