We find out more about UK rapper iiiBEREALZ’s fresh project Faiiith and what’s in store for part two
UK hip-hop has been through an enormous transformation. From a sonically different sound to the delivery of its bars, there’s an inherently new recipe in the mix as rap’s landscape fundamentally changes course for the better. Having been overtaken by a string of artists who have somewhat tainted its perception, the genre is on its way back to its best.
Leading part of the charge is iiiBEREALZ, a rapper with a breadth of experience who continues to hone his skills. As a regular guest on battle platform Pengame, he’s become a presence to confront in every corner of the genre. Stanisland Magazine caught up with the lyricist to see what he has in store for the remainder of the year.
On your new EP Faiiith, you lean heavily into confidential aspects of your life. When and why did you decide to tackle something so personal?
“I think for a long time I was writing from a place of skill, instinct and survival, but not always from a place of full exposure. Faiiith is me stripping everything back and allowing people to see the human being behind the bars. At a certain point, you realise if your art is meant to mean something, you can’t hide behind performance forever. This project came from a place of reflection — fatherhood, pressure, mistakes, hope — real life. I wanted the music to feel lived in, not manufactured.”
Fatherhood is a big part of the message. When did you become a dad, and how did it impact the way you write and record?
“Becoming a dad changed everything. It made me more accountable and intentional. It’s not just about me anymore — it’s about legacy. It deepened my writing emotionally and made me think about what I’m really saying in my music.”
The project is a two-part release. What can we expect for the sequel?
“Part one is reflective and introspective. Part two builds on that with more progression and confrontation. It’s the next stage of understanding — not just thinking, but acting on those thoughts.”
The EP’s production has a melancholic sound; were composition plans commissioned?
“The melancholic sound was intentional. I wanted it to feel like memory and late-night thoughts. The production supports the emotion rather than distracting from it.”
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Given its themes, were there any lyrics that resonated with your family?
“Definitely. The people closest to me hear the music differently because they know the real experiences behind it. The most direct and emotional lines tend to hit them the hardest.”
How long did it take to produce and record the entire project, and how do you feel about it now?
“It took time because it wasn’t something I wanted to rush. Looking back, I’m proud of its honesty. The themes still feel real and relevant to me.”
“Jubilee” feels like a hallucination, almost like mourning your childhood. Does that fit into the EP?
“Yes, definitely. It’s about memory and loss — trying to reconnect with something that feels distant. It plays a key role in the emotional structure of the project.”
Do you feel society should open up more about this?
“Yeah, I do — but I think it’s deeper than just “opening up.” I think society needs to create spaces where people actually feel safe to be honest in the first place. A lot of people are carrying things they don’t talk about, not because they don’t want to, but because they don’t feel understood, or they’ve been taught to suppress it.
Especially as men, and even more so in environments where strength is often defined as silence, vulnerability can feel like a risk. But the truth is, not speaking about things doesn’t make them disappear — it just pushes them deeper. And over time, that can affect how you move, how you think, how you treat people, and how you see yourself.
So yeah, I think society should open up more, but it also has to listen more. It has to move away from judging people for being honest and start respecting the courage it takes to actually speak. Because when people do open up, that’s where growth starts — individually and collectively.
For me, music is one of the few spaces where I can do that freely. And if that encourages even a small number of people to reflect on their own lives or feel less alone in what they’re dealing with, then that’s powerful.”
You are a devastating battle rapper — did that come before or after you started spitting?
“Spitting came first, but battle rap sharpened me. It taught me precision, presence and discipline. It made me a stronger artist overall.”
I hear you’ve got some shows coming up. Can you give our readers some details?
“Yes, I’ve got live shows coming up and I’m excited for people to experience the project in that setting. Full details will be shared on socials soon.”
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