OCEAN WISDOM taps London veteran K KOKE for infectious rap heater "NO SQUIDS"
UK rap trailblazer Ocean Wisdom recruits NW London veteran K Koke across “No Squids” – released via his own label Beyond Measure Records, distributed by Believe.
A clear marker of his reputation in the scene right now, the rare co-sign from one of the most respected emcees in the UK underlines the influence Ocean Wisdom is accumulating in his dominant return to the landscape this year.
Emerging with vibrant strings and rolling percussive textures, the sample works as a sharp backdrop for Ocean to glide over, carrying purities in his cadence to signify a state of growth and reflection in his endless pursuit of solace. “Can’t do road up, you got to change” he pleads before K Koke joins the fold with incendiary bars depicting an inspired soul adapting to life at street level – an impressive character flip from both artists with enigmatic displays of power and vulnerability shining front and centre.
With Ocean’s Jamaican heritage nodding through his musical identity, the elusive rap icon has tapped into the creative energy surrounding him from an early age. Born in Camden exposed the young artist to many muses and influences across music, fashion and community; most notably his father who would guide him through classic 90s sounds. Ocean quickly developed a serious technical passion for music creation and song writing, spending his adolescence studying rap legends from Eminem to Dizzee Rascal while gaining introspection from the adversities of inner-city life and the consistent pressures faced on the roads.
Initially signing to High Focus Records, Ocean issued his first two explosive projects through the label: 2016’s Chaos ’93 and 2018’s Wizville, home to his smash hits “Revvin’” (watch) featuring Dizzee Rascal and “Ting Dun” (watch) recruiting Wu-Tang Clan member and GRAMMY-winner Method Man – certifying Ocean as a breakthrough name on both sides of the Atlantic.
The rising star would later create his own label Beyond Measure Records, carving out new spaces that defy expectations for emerging rap talent in the UK. Releasing his mixtape Big Talk Vol. 1, Ocean continued to make his mark on the culture with rare, significant crossovers with some of the most serious rappers in the landscape in Freddie Gibbs, Ghetts and LD, alongside one of the most culturally resonant DJs in the world, Fatboy Slim.
Continuing to develop Ocean’s diverse musical makeup, his acclaimed album Stay Sane was unleashed in 2021, featuring further homegrown talent including Kojey Radical, Novelist, Maverick Sabre, Frankie Stew and Harvey Gunn – and an incendiary UK headline tour across iconic stages including O2 Forum Kentish Town.
Now with clear visions to re-establish himself as one of the UK’s most prominent rap talents, Ocean has delivered two incendiary releases in “I Exist” (watch) and “Near Life Experience” (watch) this year – amassing serious attention across the landscape from CLASH, WONDERLAND, NOTION and CULTED to name a few.
Having announced his forthcoming album Fight Club, featuring some of the best lyricists in the game including Method Man, Giggs, Ghetts, D Double E, Suspect and more, Ocean Wisdom is adding his name to London’s thriving music and arts culture once again.
