Kojey Radical on Poetry, Ambition, and Loving Your Mother | Fashion Neurosis

Kojey Radical is a British musician and visual artist. Born and raised in East London, Kojey - real name Kwadwo Adu Genfi Amponsah - studied Fashion Illustration at the London College of Fashion and has been described as UK Rap’s ‘Renaissance Man’ in reference to his love of fashion and the disarming and dazzling way he wears clothes. He co-hosted the British Fashion Awards in 2023 and 2024. Throughout his teenage years he participated in poetry slams and spoken word events, releasing his first musical project Dear Daisy: Opium in 2016. Kojey Radical’s first album Reason to Smile was nominated for multiple awards including the Mercury Prize. Don’t Look Down is his newest album. In this episode of Fashion Neurosis, Bella Freud and Kojey Radical discuss the empowering force of Mother love, how a fish finger sandwich can be passive aggressive, and the awfulness of an Ugg boot with a lean. Part of the Vox Media Podcast Network. 00:00 Intro 00:22 What are you wearing today? 02:25 Kojey’s creativity 03:35 The name Kojey Radical 06:31 Poetry and language 11:12 The Last Poets 13:17 Spoken word 15:34 Kojey’s mother 17:54 Going on tour with Young Fathers 24:53 Early fashion inspiration 27:13 Grills 30:17 What do you wear to feel happy? 33:22 Showing emotions 36:28 Being a father 38:07 Proportions in fashion and graduate collections 42:21 Walking in fashion shows 44:32 Clothes that make you feel attractive 47:14 If you fancy someone… 48:16 Fish finger sandwich 50:28 Kojey’s new album 01:00:09 Superpowers