Rizzle Kicks

In the early 2010s, Rizzle Kicks became one of the most striking young acts on the British music scene. The duo managed to blend classic hip-hop, pop and rap, focusing not on aggression but on irony, catchy choruses and a positive vibe. Their debut singles propelled the musicians to the top of the UK charts, and their songs quickly became the soundtrack for an entire generation. In this article, we’ll explain how Rizzle Kicks came to be, who makes up the duo, what Jordan Stephens and Harley Alexander-Sule are famous for, and why, after a long hiatus, the group has resumed working together.

Who are Rizzle Kicks?

Rizzle Kicks are a British music duo from Brighton, formed by Jordan Stephens and Harley Alexander-Sule. The musicians met as children, but their real collaboration began after taking part in an educational programme run by the charity AudioActive, where they honed their rapping and stage performance skills. Later, both enrolled at the BRIT School – one of Great Britain’s most renowned performing arts schools.

The idea to form a group came about after Jordan Stephens was recording his own mixtape and asked his friend to provide the vocals. The experiment proved so successful that Rizzle Kicks were formed in 2008. The name was derived from Jordan’s school nickname, ‘Rizzle’, whilst the word ‘Kicks’ was a nod to the musicians’ shared love of football.

Their first success came in 2011 following the release of the single ‘Down With the Trumpets’. This was followed by ‘Mama Do the Hump’, ‘When I Was a Youngster’ and ‘Traveller’s Chant’, which cemented the duo’s reputation as one of the leading young acts on the British pop scene. Their debut album Stereo Typical was among the most notable releases of the year, whilst their second album, Roaring 20s, also reached number three in the national charts.

After 2016, the members focused on solo projects, acting careers and television. It was not until 2024 that the musicians officially announced their reunion, and subsequently released new material, confirming that the Rizzle Kicks story continues.

Rizzle Kicks members

Throughout their history, the line-up of Rizzle Kicks has never changed. The duo has always consisted of two friends who met as children, studied together, made their way from amateur recordings to major concert venues, and, years later, reunited for a new chapter in their career.

Jordan Stephens

Jordan Fontenelle Stephens was born on 25 January 1992 in the Neasden area of London. At the age of ten, he moved with his mother to Brighton, where, a few years later, he met Harley Alexander-Sule again. As well as music, he took acting seriously and studied media and digital communications at the BRIT School.

It was Jordan who initiated the formation of Rizzle Kicks when he invited a friend to record vocals for his mixtape. Within the duo, he is primarily responsible for the rap parts and lyrics. Following a hiatus from the group, he released music under the names Wildhood, Al, the Native and Gnarly Ventura, before going on to release tracks under his own name. As well as music, he is actively involved in films and TV series, works as a TV presenter and publishes books on mental health and men’s emotional wellbeing.

Harley Alexander-Sule

Harley ‘Sylvester’ Alexander-Sule was born in London. He spent his childhood and teenage years in Brighton, where he took part in projects run by AudioActive, and later studied drama at the BRIT School. Before signing with Island Records, he worked for a time as a drama teaching assistant.

In Rizzle Kicks, it is Harley Alexander-Sule who is responsible for the melodic vocal parts that have become one of the duo’s defining features. Following a hiatus from the group, he recorded solo music under the pseudonym Jimi Charles Moody, released several singles, and his track ‘House of Moody’ was featured in a Lexus advertising campaign and included on the soundtrack for the game Madden NFL 16. At the same time, the musician appeared in films and on television, before returning to work with Rizzle Kicks alongside Jordan Stephens.

Rizzle Kicks’ concerts and festivals

Rizzle Kicks’ live history is just as rich as their discography. Just a few months after the release of their first singles, the duo found themselves performing at some of Great Britain’s biggest music venues. They performed with equal confidence at both intimate gigs and in front of festival crowds numbering in the thousands, and their live performances quickly earned a reputation for being energetic and interactive.

One of the first major festivals in Rizzle Kicks’ career was the Reading Festival. Prior to that, in May 2011, the duo performed at BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend, and on 26–28 August 2011, they headlined the BBC Introducing stage at two festivals. This was a significant achievement for the young group: their performances at the Reading Festival and Leeds Festival attracted the attention of the music press and helped cement the success brought by their debut single ‘Down With the Trumpets’.

The summer of 2012 proved to be one of Rizzle Kicks’ busiest touring seasons. The duo performed at major British festivals, including:

1. Wireless Festival.
2. T in the Park.
3. T4 on the Beach.
4. Bestival.
5. V Festival.

In the spring of 2013, as part of the Teenage Cancer Trust charity concerts, the duo performed at the legendary Royal Albert Hall. The concert took place on 24 March 2013 and was one of the most prestigious performances of their early career.

Following their reunion, Rizzle Kicks returned to the UK’s biggest festivals. On 27 June 2025, the duo performed at Glastonbury for the first time in a long while, taking to the Other Stage. And on 23 August 2025, the artists entertained guests at the Victorious Festival.

The band’s fans are hoping to see them headlining the Isle of Wight Festival in the near future. Their music also fits perfectly with the TRNSMT concept.

On 30 July 2026, the artists delighted the crowd at the Y Not Festival – another major annual British festival.

On 19 November 2026, the group are scheduled to perform at the O2 Academy Brixton in London. The show was originally due to take place at Alexandra Palace on the same day, but it was rescheduled.

Albums and popular songs

Throughout their career, Rizzle Kicks have released three studio albums, each of which reflects a distinct phase in the duo’s history. Their music was built on a blend of hip-hop, pop, rap, elements of British grunge and a light-hearted, ironic style, which set the group apart from other British artists of the early 2010s.

Their debut album, Stereo Typical, was released on 31 October 2011 on the Island Records label. It was this release that brought the group widespread fame. The album reached number 5 in the UK Albums Chart and achieved platinum status in Great Britain.

Their second album, Roaring 20s, was released on 2 September 2013. It retained the group’s signature sound but became more musically diverse. Producers Norman Cook (Fatboy Slim), Ant Whiting and other musicians were involved in the making of the album. The album reached number 3 in the UK Albums Chart. In 2025, their third studio album, Competition Is for Losers, was released.

Rizzle Kicks’ best-known songs include:

1. ‘Down With the Trumpets’ – the group’s first major hit, which reached the Top 10 of the UK chart.
2. ‘When I Was a Youngster’ – one of the duo’s first successful singles.
3. ‘Mama Do the Hump’ – the song that became the group’s signature track.
4. ‘Traveller’s Chant’ – a single from the album Stereo Typical.
5. ‘Lost Generation’ – the biggest hit from the Roaring 20 era;
6. ‘Skip to the Good Bit’ – one of the most recognisable tracks from their second album.
7. ‘Heart Skips a Beat’ – a collaboration with Olly Murs.

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