Rapper Tkandz is making the most of his moment
Tkandz’s ascent doesn’t feel random. It feels inevitable. At just 19, the Lagos-born, London-raised artist has gone from uploading lo-fi drill tracks online to breaking into national charts and soundtracking football montages across Europe.
His early songs, like Love and Affection, carried the fingerprints of a self-taught musician finding his voice. Gentle ukulele chords and pitched-down vocal snippets hinted at what was coming: nimble flows, a clear and emotive delivery, relentless ambition, and an instinctive sense of how to make a song stick. At 16, he reached a breakthrough with No Sleep, a late-night, introspective track built on airy lo-fi production. It reached a million streams in a month — a near-surreal achievement for a teenager juggling school, gaming sessions and studio time.
The real turning point, though — the moment wider audiences and industry figures were forced to pay attention — came with Now Or Never. Made using a mobile music-creation app and released in September, the track debuted inside the UK singles chart and shot to the top of a major global viral ranking. Now Or Never is lo-fi at its finest: distant vocals from Elise Trouw float over Polish producer CXSPER’s skittering 808s and coiled bassline. Tkandz uses the space to recount his humble beginnings before flipping the focus outward, turning the song into a message for the listener: “If I can do it, then why can’t you?”
Today, Now Or Never has passed 50 million streams and counting, earning endorsements from global football stars such as Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé. Despite the flood of new listeners and celebrity recognition, Tkandz remains focused on the bigger picture. Fame, for him, isn’t a destination — it’s fuel. “I’ve always wanted this,” he says. “From young, I knew I wanted to be a superstar.”
When we speak to him in mid-November, he’s in Miami, Florida, wearing a deep blue, weatherproof jacket that mirrors the cloudless sky behind him. His demeanour is calm but assured as he reflects on his journey, the making of Now Or Never, his upcoming debut EP Prodigy, and why patience — not pressure — underpins his rise.
Your music seemed to appear out of nowhere for a lot of people. What’s the real journey behind it?
Tkandz: “I’ve been making music for over four years. I’m 19 now, but I really started properly at 15. My first record was Love and Affection. That was during the time when vocal-heavy samples over drill beats were everywhere, especially during lockdown. Then I dropped No Sleep at 16 and it hit a million streams in a month. After that, I locked in. Short-form video platforms became my best friend. Things really took off.”
Those platforms changed how artists break through. How did that feel at such a young age?
“As a kid, I always wanted to be a superstar — whether through music or streaming video games. I just wanted to entertain people. So the attention wasn’t scary; it was something I’d actually dreamed about. It feels good to be recognised for something positive. Those platforms help people like me who don’t have money for big marketing. If a song hits at the right time, it can travel far. It’s free — you just need the right moment.”
That idea of timing and belief runs through Now Or Never. You performed it at the Ballers League in front of hundreds of thousands online. Was that your first big show?
“It was my first major show, but not my first performance. I’d done loads of open mics — Camden Assembly, O2 Academy Islington, local festivals like Afro Fest in Essex. Those shows gave me confidence. Performing in front of around 200,000 viewers was crazy, but it didn’t feel random. It felt like everything had been building toward that moment.”
Take us back to when you first heard the beat for Now Or Never.
“It was instantly uplifting. People call the sample ‘heavenly’, and that’s exactly how it felt. When I hear a beat I connect with, I just start talking on it. Whether it becomes a hit or not, it has to resonate with me. The funny part is how it happened. I was getting my hair re-twisted, my phone kept buzzing, and it was CXSPER saying, ‘Bro, the sample is going crazy right now — check this.’ I listened once and thought, ‘Oh my gosh.’
“I started writing the song right there while an auntie was doing my hair. When I finished, the hook was ready. I told my mum, ‘Let’s make this a moment.’ We went straight to the car and filmed a freestyle. Five takes — we used the first one. It wasn’t rushed. It was about capturing that exact moment.”
Your mum sounds central to your journey.
“She’s involved in everything. Not just behind the scenes — she’s right there. If I need advice, music or life, she’s who I go to. Having someone who knew you before all of this keeps you grounded.”
What’s next? Can you tell us about upcoming projects?
“I’ve been working on an EP called Prodigy for over a year. It has to be more than just a project — it has to tell my story. I want people to really understand who Tkandz is. There’ll be upbeat tracks, but also songs you sit with alone and really feel. Raw emotions. Right now, there are no guest features. I want people focused on what I’m saying, not on big names. Production-wise, CXSPER is definitely involved.”
You and CXSPER seem to have strong chemistry. How did you link up?
“Through Discord, actually. Everyone else was emailing beats, but he found another way to reach me. I respected that. We jumped on a call and talked about games, memes — stuff outside music. I don’t like transactional relationships. The energy has to be real. That’s why Now Or Never happened.”
Who are you listening to right now?
“I’m really tuned in to EsDeeKid, he’s doing his thing. Nemzzz, JB — they deserve their flowers. And Central Cee, obviously, he’s a pioneer. But right now, I’m probably listening to Nemzzz and JB the most.”
What advice would you give young artists watching your rise?
“Timing is everything. Don’t force it. Stay humble and give everything to what you want to do. If you’re not ready, don’t rush. But when you go for something, go all in. 110 per cent. Now or never, basically.”
Dream tours or collaborations? What’s the end goal?
“My big goal right now is a Europe tour — Germany, France, Italy — meeting people, connecting outside the UK. Even if I hit what looks like the ultimate goal, I don’t think you ever really ‘make it’. There’s always another level. Gold, platinum — that won’t make me feel finished. It’ll just make me hungrier. I’m always competing with myself. I’m not complacent. I’m taking it step by step.”
