Kojaque explores grief and mental health in new video for 'No Hands'

Captivating Dublin talent Kojaque has released the moving music video for his latest single, 'No Hands', and it doesn't disappoint.

'No Hands' will support the Irish charity Pieta House, who help thousands of people in suicidal distress or suffering with self-harm.

Further establishing his reputation for visually gripping and innovative music videos, the Cabra artist's latest project features a child version of himself, venturing out into the world alone despite his mother's fears.

With interspersed settings of a Dublin pub scene and an outdoor space, the child runs away from his mother to ride his bike alone - learning how to manage with no hands.

Clever, gripping lyrics speak of single-parent families, Catholic guilt and mental health. The Cabra rapper showcases why his words resonate deeply with a large Irish community, with earnest visuals to match.

The track, writes Kojaque, “is about growing up. I wrote it on my 21st birthday so it’s a couple years old. I think I was just reminiscing on my childhood, trying to recount old memories. There seems to be a pretty universal feeling when you’re young and that’s wanting to make your parents proud. At least that’s what I remember, searching for approval, wanting that reassurance, the track for me say’s ‘look at me now, look how far I’ve come, imagine what else could happen’.

"My childhood wasn’t exactly like everyone else’s, at times I really felt like an alien but it was happy, it’s all I knew," Kojaque adds. "We lost my dad to suicide when I was a child. Although the song is about that loss of potential in my dad’s death, I’ve learned to see the potential in my own life. It’s something I’ve very much come to terms with, for me it’s a very hopeful song.”

His highly anticipated new album is expected in the coming months, continuing what has already been a remarkable journey for the Irish rapper – following the release of his Choice Music Prize-nominated project Deli Daydreams in 2018.

Releasing his explosive track 'Coming Up' at the end of last year following a collaborative mixtape with Luka Palm - Green Diesel - Kojaque also nabbed high-profile festival appearances, a support slot for Lana Del Rey at Malahide Castle, a tour with slowthai and a spot on YouTube Music's Foundry programme.

The enigmatic artist is also the co-founder of Soft Boy Records, which has rapidly built up a reputation as one of the most forward-thinking, boundary-pushing independent labels in the country. The label's roster includes fellow co-founder Kean Kavanagh, Gaptoof, Luka Palm, Wastefellow, Brién and more. Kojaque is part of a new wave of Irish artists flooding the world with blistering and sophisticated literature, film and music - ideas and work that emerged from a social revolution stonewalled by late-stage capitalism.

You can watch Kojaque perform along with Denise Chaila and Unorthodox Coolock alongside Jessie Reyez, Junia-T and Savannah Ré on St Patrick's Day, as part of JAMESON CONNECTS JESSIE REYEZ AND FRIENDS.

Check out the brand new clip for 'No Hands' below: