Who Else but Denzel Kennedy
Photo Credit: Shon Sim
Brisbane based hip hop artist Denzel Kennedy has shared his new album ‘The Lucky Ones’. Denzel’s debut body of work was engineered by Mitaru McGaughey out of his Brisbane studio and contains 9 original tracks that he is set to perform at the massive industry showcase BIGSOUND that is happening in September. We caught up with Denzel to chat about the LP, the roles he plays in the delivery of his music and how the prep is going for what could be a door opening performance.
For those that haven’t heard your music before, what labels do you attribute to your sound?
I say it best in one of my tracks. “This isn’t rap or hip-hop, this is next up”. High energy, conscious, thought provoking bars.
You have just released your first album ‘The Lucky Ones’. How did you celebrate the occasion?
I guess I’m still in a state of celebration. I was super excited to get the LP out there and now that it is, I’m kind of just taking a step back and letting it sink in.
“Starting the LP was the hardest part….I had so many songs that I was working on”
What does delivery of the album mean to you?
It means a lot. I get to finally take a breath and just enjoy it for what it is. My goal was for the LP to get out there and just for people that might not have heard my music before to hear it now. I feel like that’s happening so it’s been a great start.
Did the LP come together easily, or did you face hurdles in its creation?
I think it was a bit of both. Starting the LP was the hardest part….I had so many songs that I was working on but they had no direction. Once I realised what I was going to write about it all sort of clicked.
“There’s a good sense of pride that comes with releasing any music, but when you’ve produced the track, written the lyrics and put it all together it’s something else.”
Do you play a part in the production side of your music?
Yeah I do! On this album, I produced four of the 9 tracks: ‘The Lucky Ones’, ‘Viral’, ‘Indamourning’, and ‘Who else’. There’s a good sense of pride that comes with releasing any music, but when you’ve produced the track, written the lyrics and put it all together it’s something else.
Do you have any favourite tracks or any that standout either for their subject matter or the journey of there creation?
‘Who else’ is my favorite track to do live. There’s something about the intro to it that I just love. It was originally the first track on the album but when we made the decision to have it end the LP it felt like it was perfect to do that.
“I do have BIGSOUND to look forward to, I’m putting a lot of love into the preparation for that”
Are there plans to head out on the road to showcase ‘The Lucky Ones’ live for fans?
We haven’t looked at touring yet. Although I do have BIGSOUND to look forward to, I’m putting a lot of love into the preparation for that, so hopefully I meet people there that might be able to help me take the show on the road.
You have been announced as one of the artists who will perform at this year’s BIGSOUND, how are the preparations going for this event that will provide you with massive exposure both to audiences and the industry generally?
The preparations are going well! We are performing with a live band for the first time ever! Shifting that dynamic from the standard DJ and Vocals to a full set up is super exciting. Being able to hear new spins on the tracks that my fans have grown to love is exciting as well.
“I would love to play at a festival this summer”
Festival Season is almost upon us in Australia; will we see Denzel Kennedy on any of the summer festival lineups?
I would love to play at a festival this summer, there’s nothing in the works but it’s always been a goal of mine to get to play my music in front of a large crowd.
Now let’s get a bit of the Denzel Kennedy back story. How did you get your start in music? Who do you credit as your musical influences?
I’ve always loved my music. My parents used to play a lot of different things when I was growing up and my uncle is a talented musician as well. I suppose I’ve always wanted to emulate that, and eventually I started doing it about 3 years ago. My biggest influences in rap would be Joey Bada$$, J.Cole, Kanye West, you know, the staples of the genre.
“I played my first gig at the Bearded Lady in west end, Brisbane. I believe it was almost a sellout for a small venue with like 100 people there. ”
Where was your first gig? Was it a success or flop?
I played my first gig at the Bearded Lady in west end, Brisbane. I believe it was almost a sellout for a small venue with like 100 people there. I remember being so nervous but thought it went pretty well.
What was the first album or song you remember buying?
‘Blackswn’ by Smino.
If you weren’t a musician what else would you be doing now?
I currently teach secondary students at Ipswich Grammar School during the week so I guess I would just be a teacher that doesn’t make rap music haha.
“They see the vision even when at times I might not and that support goes a long way. ”
Who in your crew or team deserves a shout out but never gets one? And what is it they do that keeps your world turning?
Everybody. My manager, sound engineer, my brother, my partner and all of my mates. They see the vision even when at times I might not and that support goes a long way.
Do you have a message for the Denzel Kennedy fans and supporters?
If you can, get down to the Sound Garden at 10PM September 2nd for a crazy performance. More music is always on the way. Love!
The Lucky Ones cover
Interview by Michelle Symes
July 2025
