Kraftykid - 10 Questions
Photo Credit: @shotby_dm
Kraftykid is a multi-talented artist hailing from Hackney, London based in Tokyo. He has made a name for himself as a rapper, producer, and songwriter. He has been featured in GQ Japan, Neet-Tokyo as a guest and interviewer, and performed at POP YOURS festival 2025, further cementing his status as a notable figure in the Japanese music industry.
Since 2009, Kraftykid has been active in the music scene, exploring various styles ranging from Grime to UK Drill. A member of Tokyo-based collective The Hilt, and his solo ventures have seen him collaborate with several artists, including ghostpops, Samon Kawamura, ralph, Jinmenusagi, Tade Dust & Bonbero, and more.
As a songwriter, Kraftykid has penned tracks for renowned artists such as Japanese Hip-Hop legend SEEDA and German-Japanese singer Aki Ella. His own songs and ones he's written for said artists have gained attention on popular playlists such as ラップスタア誕生 and Monday Spin.
In addition to his music talents, Kraftykid is also a skilled interviewer, representing Neet-Tokyo and showcasing his ability to connect with high-profile guests such as Alligator Jesus and JNR Choi.
Kraftykid has been featured on various influential blogs such as fnmnl, Spincoaster, natalie.mu, amongst others. With ten projects and numerous guest verses under his belt, Kraftykid continues to push boundaries and showcase his unique style and creative vision…welcome to the mind of K.
Kraftykid sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:
1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?
It started back in 2009. I was just a 14-year old kid writing rhymes in my notebook, trying to make sense of my world. Music became my outlet — it was the one place I could put all the feelings I didn’t know how to say out loud. Growing up in Hackney (East London), surrounded by grime it just felt natural to pick up a pen. By the time I came out to Tokyo, music had already become less of a hobby and more of a calling. Speaking of which, my plan A used to be becoming a Manga artist, hence the move to Japan originally, so Kraftykid (one word) comes from arts and crafts. I got the name from my cousin Uwafeme— check out his raps too. The name was a permanent link between my two passions so I never changed it after all these years.
2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future
Influence-wise, I’ve got a wide palette — from grime legends back home like Ghetts and Skepta, to American greats like Lupe Fiasco and Nas, to Japanese voices like Jin Dogg and NENE who are bridging cultures in their own way. As for who I want to work with— I guess the people I just named. I had the honour of meeting and interviewing Ghetts as part of a community panel way back. Wish I'd gotten a copy of that picture. I’d love to lock in with people who share that hunger — whether it’s UK rappers pushing the scene forward, Japanese underground cats who have their own raw sound, or producers who aren’t afraid to experiment. I'm pretty open.
3. You recently dropped the very excellent EP We Must Laugh At Some Point with Samon Kawamura, how did the EP come about and what was the idea behind it?
Thank you Ed, I'm glad you enjoyed it and wrote about it! That project started with me and Samon just vibing Halloween 2024. We made a song, then another song, then another. Then before you know it we made the whole EP that same day! He’s got such a cinematic ear — his beats have this timeless warmth to them. We wanted to create something reflective but with a hopeful outlook. The title, We Must Laugh At Some Point, is me acknowledging that life can be brutal — but you’ve got to find humour in it, otherwise it’ll swallow you whole. It’s introspective, but it’s also about resilience. Thank you to Melting Pot Music for helping the tape reach more ears!
This EP was also like a response to my ex who wrote me a letter but I didn't know how to respond except through music. She said she bumps Burden a lot. Life is funny man.
4. What projects do you have coming up and can you give us any info on them?
My next project is an EP called Under Yukichi’s Nose, produced by Japanese producers D3adStock and TAXON. It’s a nod to the ¥10,000 note — but also a statement about making art right under the nose of Japanese society. It’ll be bilingual — English and Japanese — and I’ve got a lot of notable Japanese artists on board. It’s about fusing worlds and showing you can spit real rap in both tongues.
5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?
I have to pick a few because it's been a long journey. So earlier this year I performed with Jinmenusagi, Tade Dust and Bonbero at Japan's biggest Hip-Hop festival POP YOURS! I felt proud to represent the UK up there and it still feels unreal. Being interviewed by GQ Japan in Japanese was also a blessing. But overall, it’s the little things adding up — seeing my songs reach people in different countries, or when someone tells me my lyrics helped them through something. Like with this EP, many of my friends were going through breakups at the same time, reminiscing on the what-ifs and what not. Coming from where I come from, and now being in Tokyo carving my lane, that’s the proudest thing: proving to myself it’s possible.
Photo Credit: @aki.lifeonfilm
6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?
Many people use music for different things. For me it's a therapeutic outlet, but it's also fun. What does making music mean to you? Is it something you'd still do if no-one was listening? If it didn't make you any money? My answer to those things has always been yes, and that's why I have no choice to be honest in my music. Say yes to more things because opportunities are everywhere, but also, trust your gut if something feels off. That's your body telling you you've seen this before and it didn't end well. Also, my biggest advice, research is half the battle, and YouTube is free. So if you don't have a mentor there's a tutorial for everything under the sun on YouTube (this is not an ad), and I've spent hours on interviews, tutorials, deep-dives, you name it.
I love paying it forward so if you have any questions about music DM me on instagram @kraftykid_
7. Are there any artists on your radar right now that we should check out?
Man I've got a shopping list. I'm in a crew called The Hilt and the other members are A.Valley, MJ the Sensei, J the Protagonist, Monsieur Jovoni, J.Rovia, and Neku.
Then there's other cool artists I've had fun working with, like Conrad Kira, tilimgood (my other cousin who's so versatile), Mike Larry Draw, the Canada family that's Koga Clan, St.Mike, City Fidelia and DJ Mes. To producers like ghostpops, Polo San Pablo, yuta109, Szophia Nagasaka, DJ ReddRokk, Nicorina Beats. To those I songwrite for like SEEDA and Aki Ella. I could go on, there are so many talents I've had the honour of working with. Thank you all!
8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?
I use Apple Music, but I listen to pretty much every genre, because I make beats too so I often draw outside of rap for inspiration and bring that back in. I rotate between classics and new stuff. In the past few years I've been listening to a lot of Chy Cartier, Meekz Manny, Potter Payper, Rx Papi, G Herbo, Kodak Black, Namedaruma. Outside of rap, SZA, Agnes Obel, Nena, King Krule, Men I Trust, Coco & Clair Clair, Porches, Soutaiseiriron, Yumi Zouma, SOAK, Surfing...again, I could go on so I'll stop here.
9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?
I’m big on anime, manga, movies and TV shows. I also do a lot of bike rides after hours when the streets are clear. Podcasts, audiobooks, mobile games for the commutes. When I realise I've spent too much time alone I go outside and touch grass with my friends.
10. Name three things you can't live without when in the studio?
My phone— because that's where the lyrics are.
Water, tea or coffee — I need my voice clean.
I prefer the studio session to just be people involved with the song — the sessions that feel more like a party with many people are never productive in my case.
Thank you to all my supporters old and new, and I love you! You matter!
Look out for my next EP and more singles in-between.
Kraftykid