South London rap collective KXR creating a buzz in the industry with new album

By Morgan Ofori

A rap collective are creating an organic buzz of their own.

Robert Mavro, 30, from Pollards Hill, Mitcham and Kenneth Kittoe, also 30, from east London make up KXR.

The duo are fast becoming masters of live performance, racking up shows at the 02 Academy (Islington), Brixton Jamm, as well as headlining the “lost world show” at the Ritzy on Thursday nights.

They have racked up more than 500,000 views and listens across Spotify, Apple music and YouTube. They have also been played on Kiss FM and Reprezent. As well as being co-signed by DJ Rude Kid.

Robert said: “We are two separate artists that have come together organically, and it’s meshed well. We are artists in our own right.”

“Nas was a big influence for me, as well as Method Man.”

He cannot go any further without recognising Peckham rap legend, Giggs.

“Simply put, he speaks South. Giggs put South on the map.”

However, the duo agree that north of the river is the “Mecca” of UK rap.

Robert said: “Kano always had mad flows, he had a thought process to his artistry.

“Generally, back in the day it was a grime thing, saying as many things as possible in that 140 bpm, and then hearing Wretch (Wretch 32) was mind-blowing.

“He showed you could use metaphors and put words together rather than just punchlines. He is a poet.

“Chip is so comfortable with his delivery and talks effortlessly into a mic.

“All of that mixed into how we shaped ourselves as artists.”

The group opened up on the challenges of completing sleeper-hit album Liver Fulla Wray, which was recorded in 2019 and finished in the midst of the Covid pandemic in 2020.

He said: Eighty per cent of the album was done and then lockdown happened. Covid brought so much uncertainty, nobody knew what was going to happen. It was unpredictable.

“This album concerned things we were experiencing live. We had to get the whole tape wrapped up during lockdown and we did that.”

Liver Fulla Wray touches on relationships, alcohol-fuelled decisions that impact them and displays a vulnerability that not many males in their mid to late 20s are open to share.

Robert said: “Yak and Hooked are good examples of this. Extremely catchy and seemingly surface-level party tunes but demonstrate navigation of life issues in equal measure.

“We don’t put a limit on what we can do in the studio, we’re always evolving but the music mirrors that.

“We are multi-faceted, we talk about the world and morality, but we are not one-paced.

“Music is there for the night out, but is equally there for reflection, songs like 100 and VSOP aid our listeners in this.

“We can only narrate our lives and issues that affect us and that seems to resonate with others.”

So, what next for KXR and what can we look forward to?

Robert said: “We want to headline XOYO this year. Shows are our favourite thing about making music. We conduct the party and the crowd gives energy.

“We want things to happen organically, and we have several visuals that are set to be released.

“We have a song on the way called Truman Show, which we are excited about. Anyone that has watched the film will love how this song was made.”

Liver Fulla Wray is available for streaming on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple music.