Jordan ‘Rizzle’ Stephens and Harley ‘Sylvester’ Alexander-Sule don’t take life too seriously, they prefer to get their kicks laughing out loud and laying down catchy tracks. This is Brighton hip-hop.
Momma’s boys first and rap artists second, lanky Jordan and joker Harley first came into contact with each other at the tender age of three. Their eyes met over a playpen and then tragically the two were parted, losing contact for years until one fateful Sunday League football match. Growing-up by the seaside in Brighton, penning light-hearted lyrics, inspired by everyday life, these chancers were simple dreamers who struck gold whilst trying to avoid getting a day-job. Signed to Universal, edging up the charts with each new release, Rizzle Kicks have collaborated with Ed Sheeran, Foster The People and Jessie J, and now have pop artists everywhere falling over each other to get in on the double act. Approached by fan and national treasure Norman Jay, the duo’s recent video ‘Mama do The Hump‘ was directed by Mr Fatboy Slim himself. This is feel good music designed for dancing, i-D online pinned down the pin-ups for some one on one time, and also dug through the archives to find an extra snapshot from the chaps’ i-D shoot for last year’s Summer 2011, The Hedonist Issue.
Text: Milly McMahon
Photography: Andrew Vowles
