A brand new chapter waits to be eagerly embraced for Meanjin-based hip hop artist, Denzel Kennedy. Having garnered impressive momentum off the back of charged up performance style and strong music including full-length records IDEL, Devote ur Heart and a multitude of single releases already in 2025, Kennedy announces his next stride forward – namely a new studio album titled The Lucky Ones.

From the project, Kennedy releases a new single in ‘1997’, a strong representation of the artist’s dynamism and talent as a lyricist and performer. ‘1997’ is a song that blends style, confidence and strength in vision.

For those coming to Denzel Kennedy for the first time with this track, it makes for a perfect introduction to one of the East Coast’s most exciting names.

“‘1997’ is a track that blends my playful, witty side with that over the top braggadocious style of rap. The song stands as a statement of my confidence as a rapper but also sticks to the theme of reflecting on my journey in life and music in recent years. The meaning of the track is to talk through the highs and lows of the rap game as an up-and-coming Australian artist. 

Music has always been a form of catharsis for me. Talking about my life in a way that makes the not-so-fun seem fun, and keeping in check with the realities I face have always been at the forefront of my writing. ‘1997’ was a track that as soon as I heard the beat play, the song came to me.”  DENZEL KENNEDY

With The Lucky Ones, Kennedy has poured three years’ worth of lessons, observations and stories into this collection of music – a collection driven by purpose and pure intent to take himself further as an artist and individual. 

“The album is a thinking-out-loud reflection on what it means to grow up as Indigenous Australian. My perspective is as unique as the next, and the title ‘The lucky ones’ stems from the belief that my upbringing was that of great privilege compared to the upbringing many Indigenous Australians face and are still facing in 2025. The album fuses that strong-tone with a mix of trap, boom-bap and jazz-rap beats to tell the full story.” DENZEL KENNEDY

Already, his music has been resonating with audiences around the country, earning support from triple j and Triple J Unearthed, as well as a strong following online. 

Kennedy’s music to date has earned over 100,000 streams across DSPs, playlist support from Spotify (Beats ‘n’ Bars, R&B Feels, The Drip, Deadly Beats, Blak Australia), Apple Music (New Music Daily, FIRST, Blacklist) and Amazon Music (Blak Loud). On TikTok, Kennedy has also maintained a strong presence, his music used over 2 million times on the platform.

As a live performer, he has supported the likes of Horrorshow, Kobie Dee, Tasman Keith, JK-47 and more, with audiences being drawn to Kennedy’s natural confidence on stage – a style reminiscent of artists such as Joey Bada$$ and J. Cole.