Lowkey

{{Short description|British rapper and activist (born 1986)}} {{about|the British rapper||Low key (disambiguation)}} {{pp-blp|small=yes}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}} {{Use British English|date=November 2011}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Lowkey | image = LowkeyBristol5 (cropped).jpg | caption = Lowkey performing in Bristol, 2009 | birth_name = Kareem Dennis | alias = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1986|05|23}} | birth_place = London, England | genre = {{flat list| * British hip hop * grime }} | occupation = | label = Mesopotamia Music SO Empire Recordings | years_active = 2001–2012 2016–present | associated_acts = {{flat list| * Akala * Immortal Technique * Mongrel * Black the Ripper * Marcel Cartier }} | website = }}

'''Kareem Dennis''' ({{langx|ar|كريم دينيس}}; born 23 May 1986),<ref name="suuk"/> better known by his stage name '''Lowkey''', is a British-Iraqi<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Thapar |first=Ciaran |date=2019-04-11 |title=The Return Of Lowkey: A Wide Ranging Interview With The UK MC |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/lowkey-return-interview-uk-rap-2019/ |access-date=2025-11-07 |website=VICE |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Watch UK Rapper Lowkey Perform Moving Track ‘Long Live Palestine’ Live |url=https://scenenoise.com/New-Music/Watch-UK-Rapper-Lowkey-Perform-Moving-Track-Long-Live-Palestine-Live |access-date=2025-11-07 |website=SecneNow}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dazed |date=2025-04-29 |title=5 rappers the government didn’t want you to listen to |url=https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/66688/1/5-rappers-government-kneecap-onefour-drill-mia-nwa-lowkey |access-date=2025-11-07 |website=Dazed |language=en}}</ref> rapper and activist from London. He first became known through a series of mixtapes he released before he was 18,<ref name="vol3r"/> before taking a hiatus from the music business. He would return in 2008,<ref name="1xtra">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk//1xtra/semtex/20081031.shtml|title=31 Oct 08, Brand New Kanye West, Q-Tip & Lowkey|publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=2009-01-15}}</ref> with appearances on BBC Radio<ref name="bbcasian">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00fc7v4|title=Lowkey is live in the studio to talk about his BBC Electric Proms performance|publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=2009-01-15}}</ref> and at various festivals and concerts including the BBC Electric Proms,<ref name="proms">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/electricproms/2008/artists/lowkey/|title=Electric Proms Artists|publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=2009-01-15}}</ref> Glastonbury, T In The Park and Oxegen<ref name="hhk">{{cite web|url=http://www.hip-hopkings.com/2009/01/lowkey-interview/ |title=Lowkey Interview |last=Hallick |first=Stuart |date=4 January 2009 |publisher=Hip-Hop Kings |access-date=2009-01-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20090123212731/http://www.hip-hopkings.com/2009/01/lowkey-interview/ |archive-date=23 January 2009 }}</ref> in the buildup to his first solo album ''Dear Listener'', as well as collaborating with other British musicians to form the supergroup Mongrel. He released his second solo album, ''Soundtrack to the Struggle'', independently in 2011.

After a five-year hiatus, Lowkey released a string of singles between 2016 and 2018 to precede the release of his third album, ''Soundtrack to the Struggle 2'', released in 2019.

==Early life== Lowkey was born in London to an Iraqi mother and an English father.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lowkey |url=https://www.greenbelt.org.uk/artists/lowkey/ |access-date=2025-05-25 |website=Greenbelt |language=en-GB}}</ref> From the age of twelve he began to rap, initially imitating American rappers but soon began using his own accent.<ref name="suuk">{{cite web|url=http://www.ukhh.org/index.php/Interviews/Lowkey.html |title=Lowkey |publisher=Stand Up UK |access-date=2009-01-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106144617/http://www.ukhh.org/index.php/Interviews/Lowkey.html |archive-date=6 January 2009 }}</ref> He began attending open mic sessions at the Deal Real record shop on Carnaby Street, Central London.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ukhh.com/oldreviews/twelve-inch/1661.html |title=Ukhh.com | reviews | twelve-inch | Lowkey - Politics |website=www.ukhh.com |access-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110816115054/http://www.ukhh.com/oldreviews/twelve-inch/1661.html |archive-date=16 August 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The first time he went he introduced himself as Lowkey and was told there was already a regular there by that name; the two had a rap battle to decide who would continue to use the alias. Kareem emerged victorious and continued to use the name thereafter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hiphopug.com/lowkey.html/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20100922222914/http://www.hiphopug.com/lowkey.html/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2010-09-22|title=Hiphopug.com}}</ref>

==Music career== ===2003–09: Mixtapes & ''Dear Listener''=== The first part of his mixtape series ''Key to the Game'', was released independently in 2003.<ref name="hhk"/> Within a year and a half he had released a second and third volume.<ref name="vol3r">{{cite web|url=http://www.ukhh.com/reviews/lp/2036.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051219065352/http://www.ukhh.com/reviews/lp/2036.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2005-12-19 |title=Key to the Game Vol 3 Review |publisher=UK Hip Hop |access-date=2008-11-03 }}</ref> Though the first volume largely used music from other artists, the second was mostly original work in conjunction with numerous artists and producers while the third, which had no skits or short songs like a traditional mixtape would, was mostly his own work.<ref name="hhk"/>

While Lowkey was busying himself with European tours in support of Immortal Technique, Canibus, and Dead Prez,<ref name="hhk"/> he began to make musical contacts and record his debut album. Though stalled by other artistic endeavours, ''Dear Listener'' was released in October 2008.<ref name="bbcreview">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/d5mq|title=An album full of poetry.|last=Small|first=Elle J|date=5 February 2009|publisher=BBC|access-date=2009-09-29}}</ref><ref name="fm">{{cite web|url=http://www.factmagazine.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1718&Itemid=32|title=Lowkey 'Dear Listener'|last=Oliver|first=Matt|date=7 January 2009|publisher=Fact Magazine|access-date=2009-01-18}}</ref> In December he released the compilation album ''Uncensored'', with highlights from the entire ''Key to the Game'' series and ''Dear Listener'', digitally through iTunes.<ref name="uncens">{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/uncensored/id340715527|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101027063456/http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/uncensored/id340715527|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 October 2010|title=Uncensored by Lowkey|publisher=Apple Inc.|access-date=2010-01-18}}</ref>

===2009–12: ''Soundtrack to the Struggle''=== After touring with Immortal Technique the two made a single, "Voices of the Voiceless" which was released in September 2009.<ref name="metro09">{{cite news|url=http://e-edition.metro.co.uk/2009/08/13/25.html|title=One to watch: Lowkey|last=Haider|first=Arwa|date=13 August 2009|newspaper=Metro|access-date=2009-08-22}}</ref>

The second single, "Long Live Palestine" (also known as "Tears to Laughter") was digitally released on 9 March 2009. In December 2009, Lowkey revealed he would release a second part to "Long Live Palestine" featuring Palestinian rap group DAM, Anglo-Palestinian soloist Shadia Mansour, Narcy from Iraq, Iranian artists Hich Kas and Reveal, Syrian-Lebanese performer Eslam Jawaad and African-American Muslim Hasan Salaam. "Long Live Palestine" was packaged in an EP with Part 1 and the instrumental.<ref name="llp2">{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0031CS65U|title=Long Live Palestine Parts 1 & 2: Lowkey|website=Amazon UK|access-date=2010-01-13}}</ref> The single received statements of support from Tony Benn and Benjamin Zephiniah.<ref>[http://www.palestinecampaign.org/about/patrons/ Palestine Solidarity Campaign: Our Patrons] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150104021810/http://www.palestinecampaign.org/about/patrons/ |date=4 January 2015 }} palestinecampaign.org</ref>

''Soundtrack to the Struggle'' was released on 16 October 2011. The album entered the UK Albums Chart on 23 October at number 57, becoming Lowkey's first entry on the national charts. ''Soundtrack to the Struggle'' peaked at number 14 on the UK Download Chart. On the UK R&B Chart, the album received its highest ''OCC'' position, number 6. In the UK Indie Chart, the album peaked at number 9.<ref name=autogenerated2>{{cite web|title=Archive Chart|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-chart/20111023/7502/|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=23 October 2011|date=23 October 2011}}</ref><ref name=autogenerated3>{{cite web|title=Archive Chart|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/r-and-b-albums-chart/20111023/115/|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=23 October 2011|date=23 October 2011}}</ref><ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web|title=Archive Chart|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/independent-albums-chart/20111023/131/|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=23 October 2011|date=23 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Archive Chart|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-downloads-chart/20111023/7003/|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=23 October 2011|date=23 October 2011}}</ref>

===2012–16: Musical hiatus=== On 17 April 2012, Lowkey put his musical career on hiatus, announcing the news on Facebook. He said that after months of contemplation, he had decided to "step away from music and concentrate on my studies". With this, he announced that he would deactivate his Facebook page, which had over 180,000 followers.<ref name="sbtvlowkeydeparture">{{cite web|url=http://sbtv.co.uk/2012/04/lowkey-announces-his-departure-from-music-news/|title=Lowkey Career Pause|author=Mehreen|date=18 April 2012|publisher=UK Hip Hop|access-date=2012-04-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120422190012/http://sbtv.co.uk/2012/04/lowkey-announces-his-departure-from-music-news/|archive-date=22 April 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===2016–present: Return and ''Soundtrack to the Struggle'' trilogy=== On 26 July 2016, various sources shared an image on social media relating to Lowkey's return to the music scene with new single "Ahmed". On 29 July 2016, Lowkey released a video for the single, the subject matter of which revolves around the refugee crisis and Europe's response. In addition, a seven-day tour across the UK in September 2016 was announced.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sbtv.co.uk/watch/music-videos/lowkey-ahmed-new-track-uk-tour/|title=Lowkey returns with new track 'Ahmed' and announces a UK Tour - SBTV|last=SBTV|date=29 July 2016|access-date=30 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160802025727/http://www.sbtv.co.uk/watch/music-videos/lowkey-ahmed-new-track-uk-tour/|archive-date=2 August 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 3 September, his next single "Children of Diaspora" was released. The track addresses issues of racism and xenophobia, and mentions victims of police brutality in the UK and USA.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sbtv.co.uk/watch/music-videos/lowkey-children-of-diaspora-mai-khalil/|title=Lowkey returns with video for Mai Khalil-assisted 'Children of Diaspora' - SBTV|last=SBTV|date=5 September 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104022006/http://www.sbtv.co.uk/watch/music-videos/lowkey-children-of-diaspora-mai-khalil/|archive-date=4 November 2016}}</ref>

In August 2018, Lowkey announced via social media that he would be releasing his single "Ahmed", which features Mai Khalil, on platforms such as Spotify and iTunes on 2 September 2018, stating that this would be his first commercial release since 2011. He also confirmed that he was in the process of making a second album, titled ''Soundtrack to the Struggle 2''.

''Soundtrack to the Struggle 2'' was released on 5 April 2019, with UK tour dates scheduled to start less than a week later.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Topple |first=Steve |date=2019-04-18 |title=Lowkey has dropped the most important album of the decade |url=https://www.thecanary.co/uk/2019/04/18/lowkey-has-dropped-the-most-important-album-of-the-decade/ |access-date=2024-10-29 |website=Canary |language=en-GB |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422230335/https://www.thecanary.co/uk/2019/04/18/lowkey-has-dropped-the-most-important-album-of-the-decade/ |archive-date=2024-04-22}}</ref>

''Soundtrack to the Struggle 3'' was released on 28 October 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-26 |title=New Music This Friday: October 25, 2024 Edition |url=https://nomusica.com/new-music-this-friday/ |access-date=2024-10-29 |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Collaborations=== Lowkey joined a hip-hop group called Poisonous Poets with which was formed by rapper Reveal and released one self-titled mixtape in 2005.<ref name="ukhhpp">{{cite web|url=http://www.ukhh.com/features/interviews/poisonous_poets/index.html |title=Poisonous Poets Interview |author=Mehreen |date=2005-04-22 |publisher=UK Hip Hop |access-date=2009-01-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223222022/http://www.ukhh.com/features/oldinterviews/poisonous_poets/index.html |archive-date=23 February 2012 }}</ref> Poisonous Poets (sometimes known as Double P) the group also consisted of Doc Brown whom Lowkey met at Real Deal records, Reveal, Stylah, Tony D and Therapist.<ref name="ukhhpp"/>

Lowkey's manager passed on the first two parts of ''Key to the Game'' to Jon McClure, frontman of Reverend and The Makers who is also an outspoken political activist.<ref name="hhc">{{cite journal|last=McNally|first=James|date=December 2008|title=Low Life|journal=Hip Hop Connection|issue=229|pages=48–51}}</ref> Wanting to mix popular music with politics, and mix indie rock with hip-hop, the two formed a supergroup, Mongrel, with Arctic Monkeys drummer Matt Helders and ex-bassist Andy Nicholson, Babyshambles bassist Drew McConnell and a revolving set of other musicians.<ref name="bbcbeat">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/music/newsid_7613000/7613318.stm|title=Arctic Monkeys 'supergroup' form|last=Jones|first=Damien|date=16 September 2008|publisher=BBC|access-date=2008-11-03}}</ref> The album, ''Better Than Heavy'',<ref name="guardian">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/sep/05/mongrel.debut.album|title=Indie supergroup Mongrel reveal debut album|last=Michaels|first=Sean|date=5 September 2008|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=2008-11-03}}</ref> was released for free with ''The Independent'' on 7 March. The band were asked to perform live in Venezuela on the invitation of President Hugo Chavez.<ref name="monrelease">{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/indie-supergroup-mongrel-to-release-debut-album-free-with-ithe-independenti-1633962.html|title=Indie supergroup Mongrel to release debut album free with The Independent|date=27 February 2009|newspaper=The Independent|access-date=2009-06-13}}</ref> Lowkey visited Caracas during the first summit of CELAC, championing Chavez as "a leader who is striving to build an independent alternative to the neo-liberal capitalism which has disenfranchised his people for decades."<ref name="ceasefiremagazine.co.uk"/>

==Political activism==

Lowkey is a vocal opponent of Zionism and is a patron of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign. He characterises Zionism as colonialism and ethnic cleansing.<ref name="ceasefiremagazine.co.uk">{{Cite web |last=hich |date=2011-05-27 |title=Exclusive Jody McIntyre interviews Lowkey |url=https://ceasefiremagazine.co.uk/interview-lowkey/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305210353/http://ceasefiremagazine.co.uk/interview-lowkey/ |archive-date=5 March 2016 |access-date=2025-05-25 |website=Ceasefire Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Haddad |first=Hanan |title=Palestine Solidarity Campaign: Patrons |url=http://www.palestinecampaign.org/Index5b.asp?m_id=1&l1_id=2&l2_id=12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116145644/http://www.palestinecampaign.org/Index5b.asp?m_id=1&l1_id=2&l2_id=12 |archive-date=2013-01-16 |access-date=2025-05-25 |website=www.palestinecampaign.org |language=en}}</ref>

In February 2009, he travelled to Palestinian refugee camps around the West Bank area to perform fundraising shows to help rebuild the Gaza Strip but was detained by the Israel Police for nine hours at Ben Gurion International Airport and interrogated, while having his passport confiscated.<ref name="detained">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.nme.com/news/mongrel/43171|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304233344/http://www.nme.com/news/mongrel/43171|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 March 2009|title=Mongrel rapper Lowkey detained in Israel airport|date=3 March 2009|magazine=NME|access-date=2009-08-22}}</ref> Later in 2009, he travelled with M-1 of Dead Prez to carry out a humanitarian aid mission and bring medical aid to the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip; this led to a collaboration between the two on ''Soundtrack to the Struggle''.<ref name="conspiracyworldwide.podomatic.com">{{cite web|url=http://conspiracyworldwide.podomatic.com/entry/eg/2010-03-22T15_25_47-07_00|title=PodOmatic - Best Free Podcasts|work=PodOmatic|access-date=1 September 2015}}</ref> He was again detained for half a day by Israeli airport police in July 2010, en route to a number of concerts and musical workshops in refugee camps in the West Bank.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Israel releases British rapper detained at airport |url=http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=301454 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140317063049/http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=301454 |archive-date=2014-03-17 |access-date=2025-05-25 |website=Maan News Agency}}</ref>

In January 2011, Marcus Dysch writing for ''The Jewish Chronicle'' about the involvement of Lowkey in the Palestine Solidarity Campaign commented: "One expert studying anti-Israel activity described the increasing influence of performers such as Lowkey as a 'potential nightmare,' and compared the impact of his backing for the campaign to the effect of artists such as Annie Lennox and Elvis Costello 'attacking the Jewish state' ".<ref>[http://www.thejc.com/node/44347 Palestine Solidarity Campaign hits the youth trail] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304195601/http://www.thejc.com/node/44347 |date=4 March 2016 }} thejc.com, 27 January 2011</ref>

Lowkey has been a prominent member of the Stop the War Coalition and has spoken against the 2003 invasion of Iraq. He has been a sharp critic of American and British foreign policy, stating that the two countries are only interested in supporting leaders who are under their influence or are willing to assist them. He also said American media overlooks those within the country who do not believe in American military supremacy.<ref name="ceasefiremagazine.co.uk"/> In 2012, Lowkey turned down an opportunity to appear on Tim Westwood TV in protest, explaining in an article written for ''Ceasefire Magazine'' that he did so because of Westwood's decision to broadcast a segment of his show from Camp Bastion in Afghanistan; Lowkey argued that Westwood's decision amounted to an endorsement of the war in Afghanistan.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |last=Lowkey |date=2012-01-25 |title=Lowkey: Why I had to say no to Westwood TV |url=https://ceasefiremagazine.co.uk/lowkey-no-to-westwood-tv/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304023701/https://ceasefiremagazine.co.uk/lowkey-no-to-westwood-tv/ |archive-date=4 March 2016 |access-date=2025-05-25 |website=Ceasefire Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref>

In May 2017, Lowkey endorsed Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn in the 2017 UK general election. He said: "We have a choice between policies which foster empathy and policies which foster greed, resentment, estrangement and alienation."<ref name="thecanary1">{{cite news|last=Sykes|first=Ed|url=https://www.thecanary.co/2017/05/19/legendary-uk-rapper-lowkey-explains-why-he-backs-jeremy-corbyn-wholeheartedly-video/|title=Legendary UK rapper Lowkey explains why he backs Jeremy Corbyn 'wholeheartedly' [VIDEO]|publisher=The Canary|date=19 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171212043610/https://www.thecanary.co/uk/2017/05/19/legendary-uk-rapper-lowkey-explains-why-he-backs-jeremy-corbyn-wholeheartedly-video/|archive-date=2017-12-12|access-date=2022-04-06}}</ref> In November 2019, along with other public figures, Lowkey signed a letter supporting Corbyn and describing him as "a beacon of hope in the struggle against emergent far-right nationalism, xenophobia and racism in much of the democratic world" and endorsed him in the 2019 UK general election.<ref name="nme">{{cite news |last=Neale|first=Matthew|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/new-letter-supporting-jeremy-corbyn-2568734|title=Exclusive: New letter supporting Jeremy Corbyn signed by Roger Waters, Robert Del Naja and more |work=NME|date=16 November 2019|access-date=27 November 2019}}</ref><ref name="theguardian">{{cite news |last=Thorpe|first=Vanessa|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/nov/24/celebrities-endorse-radical-labour-arts-plan|title=Celebrities turn out to support Labour's vision for the arts|work=The Guardian|date=24 November 2019|access-date=27 November 2019}}</ref> In the same month, along with 34 other musicians, he signed a letter endorsing Corbyn in the 2019 UK general election with a call to end austerity.<ref name="theguardian1">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/nov/25/musicians-backing-jeremy-corbyns-labour|title=Musicians backing Jeremy Corbyn's Labour|work=The Guardian|date=25 November 2019|access-date=1 December 2019}}</ref><ref name="theguardian2">{{cite news |last=Gayle|first=Damien|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/nov/25/musicians-backing-jeremy-corbyns-labour|title=Stormzy backs Labour in election with call to end austerity|work=The Guardian|date=25 November 2019|access-date=1 December 2019}}</ref> In December 2019, along with 42 other cultural figures, he signed a letter endorsing the Labour Party under Corbyn's leadership in the 2019 general election. The letter stated that "Labour's election manifesto under Jeremy Corbyn's leadership offers a transformative plan that prioritises the needs of people and the planet over private profit and the vested interests of a few."<ref name="theguardian3">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/dec/03/vote-for-hope-and-a-decent-future|title= Vote for hope and a decent future |work=The Guardian|date=3 December 2019|access-date=4 December 2019}}</ref><ref name="theguardian4">{{cite news |last=Proctor|first=Kate|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/dec/03/coogan-klein-lead-cultural-figures-backing-corbyn-labour|title=Coogan and Klein lead cultural figures backing Corbyn and Labour|work=The Guardian|date=3 December 2019|access-date=4 December 2019}}</ref>

Lowkey was critical of the response to the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017 stating that "the tragic event was a result of the injustice and criminality at the heart of Britain’s current political system".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.thecanary.co/2017/06/16/lowkey-explains-grenfell-disaster-must-death-knell-tory-rule-video/ |title=Rapper Lowkey watched people die at Grenfell. Now he's dropped a truth bomb on Theresa May [VIDEO] | the Canary |access-date=30 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809182131/https://www.thecanary.co/2017/06/16/lowkey-explains-grenfell-disaster-must-death-knell-tory-rule-video/ |archive-date=9 August 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

During the Gaza war, Lowkey has appeared on ''Piers Morgan Uncensored'' and criticized Israel's conduct and media coverage of the conflict.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvrsn6uO5e8 |title="Israel Has More Enemies Than EVER Before" Lowkey vs Piers Morgan |date=2024-10-01 |last=Piers Morgan Uncensored |access-date=2024-12-01 |via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ismail |first=Aymann |date=2023-10-26 |title=The Person Covering Palestine-Israel Best Is ... Piers Morgan? |url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2023/10/palestine-israel-coverage-piers-morgan.html |access-date=2024-12-01 |work=Slate |language=en-US |issn=1091-2339}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Elmasry |first=Mohamad |date=2023-11-08 |title=No, Piers Morgan is not impartial on Israel-Palestine |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/opinion/israel-palestine-war-piers-morgan-not-impartial |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=Middle East Eye |language=en}}</ref>

Critics and analyses have pointed to the consistency and intellectual depth of his work, noting that his discography forms "an ongoing investigation into state power, militarism, and corporate complicity" sustained across decades.

==Other work== In July 2008, the Theatre Royal, Bath put on a production of ''Max and Beth'', a contemporary adaptation of ''Macbeth'' by William Shakespeare written by Lowkey entirely in rhyme.<ref name="m&b">{{cite web|url=http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/BathNES/media/press+releases/2008/communityliving/Max+and+Beth.htm|title=Max & Beth|date=11 July 2008|publisher=Bath & North East Somerset Council|access-date=2008-11-03}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> Lowkey also helped publicise the NSPCC's Don't Hide It campaign, and contributed a free song to it, in which his lyrics are delivered from the perspective of a female victim of sexual abuse.<ref name="hhk"/> He also formed a non-profit organisation, People's Army with fellow rapper Logic, with whom he has also made an unreleased album with (New World Order<ref name="suuk"/>), and met up with then-Liberal Democrats leader Menzies Campbell as a representative of his local community.<ref name="hhc"/> He has written articles for ''The Guardian''<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lowkey |date=2012-01-10 |title=The Met police are stigmatising hip-hop with the 696 form |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/jan/10/police-stigmatising-hip-hop-696-form |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509020308/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/jan/10/police-stigmatising-hip-hop-696-form |archive-date=9 May 2016 |access-date=2025-05-25 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> and left-wing website ''Ceasefire Magazine''.<ref name="auto"/> He hosts a podcast on ''MintPress News''.<ref name="Potter-2024">{{Cite web |last=Potter |first=Nicholas |date=2024-12-12 |title=How far-left media, backed by Russia, Iran and Assad, attack Israel |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-833225 |access-date=2025-09-08 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en |quote=}}</ref>

== Reception == Lowkey is frequently described in media as a conscious hip-hop artist<ref name="thecanary1" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Moujahid |first=Ben Tarki |title=Lowkey: The Most Conscious Rapper? Analyzing His Music And Activism |url=https://dimatopmagazine.com/hip-hub/top-picks/lowkey-most-conscious-rapper/ |access-date=2025-12-16 |website=DimaTOP Magazine |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-17 |title=Lowkey |url=https://www.theboileroom.net/event-listings/lowkey |access-date=2025-12-16 |website=The Boileroom Guildford |language=en-GB}}</ref> and is noted for his politically charged lyricism.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Shahid |first=Omar |date=2012-03-19 |title=Lowkey, Logic and a new wave of political British hip-hop MCs |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2012/mar/19/lowkey-logic-british-hop-hop |access-date=2025-12-16 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Critics and analyses have pointed to the consistency and intellectual depth of his work, noting that his discography forms "an ongoing investigation into state power, militarism, and corporate complicity" sustained across decades.<ref name=":1" /> His sophomore album, ''Soundtrack to the Struggle'' (2011), is considered a "cult classic" that debuted at number one on the UK hip-hop charts and demonstrated his ability to fuse the personal with the political, noting that while his work is political, it maintains musical depth through varied production, storytelling, and moments of personal introspection on tracks dealing with mental health and family.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Soundtrack To The Struggle |url=https://www.keppelhealthreview.com/winter2022/lowkey |access-date=2025-12-16 |website=Keppel Health Review |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Lowkey – Soundtrack To The Struggle… {{!}} Album Review |url=https://soulculture.com/lowkey-soundtrack-to-the-struggle-album-review/ |access-date=2025-12-16 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-12-14 |title=Lowkey :: Soundtrack to the Struggle – RapReviews |url=https://www.rapreviews.com/2011/10/lowkey-soundtrack-to-the-struggle/ |access-date=2025-12-16 |language=en-US}}</ref> The 2019 follow-up, ''Soundtrack to the Struggle 2'', was met with critical acclaim, with The Canary describing it as the "most important album of the decade".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Topple |first=Steve |date=2019-04-18 |title=Lowkey has dropped the most important album of the decade |url=https://www.thecanary.co/podcasts/2019/04/18/lowkey-has-dropped-the-most-important-album-of-the-decade/ |access-date=2025-12-16 |website=Canary |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==Discography== ===Studio albums=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1" |+ List of studio albums, with selected chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:14;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:19em;"| Album details ! colspan="3" scope="col" | Peak chart positions |- !style="width:3.5em; font-size:85%"|UK <ref>{{cite web|title=Lowkey Chart History|url=http://www.theofficialcharts.com/artist/_/lowkey/|publisher=The Official Charts Company|access-date=23 October 2011}}</ref> !style="width:3.5em; font-size:85%"|UK IND <ref name=autogenerated1 /> !style="width:3.5em; font-size:85%"|UK R&B <ref name=autogenerated3 /> |- ! scope="row" | ''Dear Listener'' | * Released: 20 October 2008 * Label: SO Empire Recordings * Formats: CD, Digital download | — || — || — |- ! scope="row" | ''Soundtrack to the Struggle'' | * Released: 16 October 2011 * Label: Mesopotamia Music * Formats: CD, digital download | 57 || 9 || 6 |- ! scope="row" | ''Soundtrack to the Struggle 2'' | * Released: 5 April 2019 * Label: Mesopotamia Music * Formats: Digital download | – || 26 || 2 |- |}

===Collaboration albums=== *''Poisonous Poetry'' (2005) (with Poisonous Poets) *''Better Than Heavy'' (2009) (with Mongrel)

===Mixtapes=== *''Key to the Game, Vol. 1'' (2003) *''Key to the Game, Vol. 2: Still Underground'' (2004) *''Key to the Game, Vol. 3'' (2005) *''The Dubs Mixtape'' (2007) (with Stylah, hosted by DJ Limelight)

===Extended plays=== *''Unplugged, Vol. 1'' (2018)

===Compilation albums=== *''The Past, The Present and The Future: The Road to Mongrel'' (2008) *''Uncensored'' (2009) *''The Best of Lowkey (US Version)'' (2010)

===Singles=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- ! Title ! Year ! Album |- ! scope="row"| "Politics" | 2004 | {{N/A|Non-album single}} |- ! scope="row"| "London" | 2005 | ''Key to the Game, Vol. 3'' |- ! scope="row"| "Tears to Laughter" | rowspan="4"| 2009 | {{N/A|Non-album single}} |- ! scope="row"| "Voices of the Voiceless" {{small|(with Immortal Technique)}} | ''Soundtrack to the Struggle'' |- ! scope="row"| "We Don't Want Them" | {{N/A|Non-album single}} |- ! scope="row"| "Alphabet Assassin" | ''Dear Listener'' |- ! scope="row"| "Something Wonderful" | rowspan="4"| 2010 | ''Soundtrack to the Struggle'' |- ! scope="row"| "Revolution Music" {{small|(featuring Faith SFX & Reverend and the Makers)}} | {{N/A|Non-album single}} |- ! scope="row"| "Terrorist?" | rowspan="2"| ''Soundtrack to the Struggle'' |- ! scope="row"| "Obama Nation" |- ! scope="row"| "Ahmed" {{small|(featuring Mai Khalil)}} | rowspan="2"| 2016 | rowspan="10"| ''Soundtrack to the Struggle 2'' |- ! scope="row"| "Children of Diaspora" {{small|(featuring Mai Khalil)}} |- ! scope="row"| "Ghosts of Grenfell" {{small|(featuring Mai Khalil)}} | rowspan="3"| 2017 |- ! scope="row"| "The Death of Neoliberalism" |- ! scope="row"| "Lords of War" {{small|(featuring Kaia)}} |- ! scope="row"| "McDonald Trump" | rowspan="3"| 2018 |- ! scope="row"| "Sunday Morning" {{small|(featuring Mai Khalil)}} |- ! scope="row"| "Ghosts of Grenfell 2" {{small|(featuring Kaia)}} |- ! scope="row"| "The Return of Lowkey" | rowspan="2"| 2019 |- ! scope="row"| "Goat Flow" |- ! scope="row"| "Iraq2Chile" {{small|(featuring Mai Khalil)}} | rowspan="4"| 2020 | {{N/A|Non-album single}} |- ! scope="row"| "Daily Duppy" | {{N/A|Non-album single}} |- ! scope="row"| "Baby Steps" | ''Soundtrack to the Struggle 3'' |- ! scope="row"| "I Still Believe 2020" | {{N/A|Non-album single}} |- ! scope="row"| "Refuse To Kill" | rowspan="2"| 2021 | {{N/A|Non-album single}} |- ! scope="row"| "Palestine Will Never Die" | ''Soundtrack to the Struggle 3''

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *[https://myspace.com/lowkeyuk Lowkey] on Myspace *[https://web.archive.org/web/20090123104231/http://www.style43.com/news/2009/01/12/lowkey-dear-listener-album-review/ "Dear Listener" Album Review at Style43.com, January 2009]

Category:1986 births Category:Living people Category:British anti-Zionists Category:English anti-war activists Category:English people of Iraqi descent Category:English male rappers Category:Underground rappers Category:Hip-hop activists Category:Rappers from London Category:British political music artists Category:English socialists Category:Mongrel (band) members Category:British anti-racism activists Category:Labour Party (UK) people Category:British activists for Palestinian solidarity