Kestine is an Irish rapper who wrote and released his new track and video U.N.I.T.Y in honour of Black History Month. It’s a wide-sweeping story of what it’s like to be a black man in our society.

By Graeme Smith

Feature Photo by Kestine

U.N.I.T.Y is a track that goes through phases. An opening hook is laded with vocal effects, acting as a gatekeeper to Kestine’s story. It gives away to a rapped verse that lays everything out, rich with the detail of his origins and his everyday life. Soulful instrumentals cement the mood, bluesy and atmospheric.

Kestine had a range of inspirations for this track – The Black Lives Matter movement and Queen Latifa’s song of the same name among them. But the story is one only he could tell. A black man growing up in Ireland, he was always considered an outsider for the colour of his skin. U.N.I.T.Y speaks of the frustrations that come with that.

You can check out the video below.

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