Klashnekoff is the stage name of Darren Kandler, a British rapper from Hornsey in North London who later moves to Hackney in East London. He is also known as Ricochet Klashnekoff. His work sits within UK hip hop and grime, with hip hop given as his genre in the supplied facts.

Career

Klashnekoff starts writing rhymes at the age of ten, after first being interested in acting. He uses rap as a way to express personal problems and later continues to write about his life in Hackney and the influence of society on himself and other people. His west Indian background also shapes his music.

He is a founding member of the Terra Firma Crew, alongside Skriblah, D.Ablo, Diamond Ruff and Smasher. He is associated with Terra Firma as a member of the group Terra Firma. Before his solo releases, he is linked to the mixtape The Foundation, which is described as critically acclaimed.

Solo releases

His debut album is The Sagas Of..., which includes the singles “Murda”, “Zero”, “All I Got” and “Black Rose”. Other singles mentioned include “It’s Murda”. He also releases Lionheart: Tussle with the Beast.

At one stage he is working on his own album and the debut Terra Firma album. His output is described as balancing conscious subject matter with critical praise and some commercial success.

Name and influences

The name Klashnekoff is taken from the Russian gun, but he treats it as a symbol of freedom rather than violence. He links the name to images of child soldiers shown in news reports and suggests that, for young people in the UK, an album can serve as an outlet instead of a weapon.

He cites a wide range of influences from the UK, the US and the Caribbean, including Wu-Tang Clan, Rass Kass, Xzibit, Killah Priest, Buckshot, 2Pac, Cannibal Ox, Saigon, Onyx, Snoop, Biggie, MF Doom, Ice Cube, Dead Prez, Big Pun, Anti Pop Consortium, Outkast, Kool G Rap, Sonz of Man, Kurupt, Ice-T, Busta Rhymes, Public Enemy, The D.O.C., Ludacris, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Kanye West, Uncle Murda, Silver Bullet, Da Force, Big Daddy Kane, Faze 1, Super Cat, Ninja Man, Pinchers, Big Youth, Burning Spear, Pappa San, Cutty Ranks, Nitty Gritty, Damian Marley, I Wayne, Capleton, Merciless, Vybz Kartel, Spragga Benz, Radiohead, Supergrass, Soundgarden, David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix, The Prodigy, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Musiq Soulchild, Jill Scott, Loose Ends, Al Green, Jamie Foxx, Guy, Soul II Soul, Don E and Omar. He also names several UK artists and producers, including Silver Bullet, Demon Boyz, Rebel MC, Cookie Crew, Catch 22, MC DET, Skriblah, Wiley, JME, Skepta, Trim, Ears, Devlin, Ghetts, Dizzee Rascal, Durtty Goods, Jehst, Kano, Tony D, Lewis Parker, Joe Buhdha and Fusion.

Recognition

Klashnekoff is described as one of the most recognisable artists in UK hip hop and grime. He is nominated for the 2007 BET award for best UK hip-hop artist.