
Choice Music Prize winner God Knows has released his highly anticipated debut solo album โA Future of the Pastโ via narolane records, marking a significant milestone for one of Irelandโs most influential hip-hop artists.
The Zimbabwean-Irish rapper, who won the prestigious Choice Music Prize in 2016 as part of Rusangano Family-the first hip-hop act to claim the accoladeโhas crafted what he describes as โthe first chapter of a new bookโ from a collection of over 50 tracks.
The albumโs lead single โItโs Been A Whileโ is a family affair, featuring God Knows alongside his brother Godswill โDreddyโ Jonas on vocals and youngest brother Godwin as producer. His sister โOmgjojoโ also appears on the track โ18 Inch War & Eternalโ.
Speaking about the collaboration, producer Godwin explains: โItโd been a while since G had done a solo track and a Grime/Drill tune where he proves to the Irish scene and the world why he is where he is today. Itโd been a while since we did a track together.โ
Dreddy adds that the track captures their live energy: โWe wanted to have fun and give the energy that we get from the shows right back into music, turn up and have a mosh pit in the sound systems.โ
The album draws on influences spanning Zimbabwe, New York, Dublin, Shannon, and West Africa, reflecting God Knowsโ expansive creative vision.
Executive producer MuRli describes his role as โgiving God Knows a canvas wide enough to paint the truth as only he can.โ
โOver time, as I lived with these songs, the work became about building a world around his story,โ MuRli continues. โEvery crack and every filling was shaped by his vision; my role was simply to frame it so that his voice could echo fully.โ
The album blends multiple musical styles. God Knows describes it as containing โalbums within this albumโ, unified by his commitment to โcollaborating, experimenting, learning new tricks and most importantly growing.โ
As co-founder of narolane records, God Knows has established himself as a mentor figure in Irish hip-hop whilst building towards this solo moment. The collectiveโs work has garnered international attention from publications including NME, NPR, The Guardian, BBC, and The New York Times.
Known for his โvividly honest lyricism and electrifying energyโ, God Knows has been credited with elevating Irish hip-hop to new heights.
Music journalist Nialler9 has praised his work as โone of the best things to come out of Irelandโs music scene in yearsโ, whilst The Quietus noted that he โstands proudly at the helmโ of Irish hip-hop.
Though born from personal pain, God Knows emphasises that the album was โultimately made in freedom and loveโ, positioning โA Future of the Pastโ as both a deeply personal statement and a bold artistic progression for one of Irelandโs most compelling musical voices.