Dublin’s most exciting alternative rapper KhakiKid has kicked off 2026 with a bang, dropping his infectious new single ‘Favela’ and announcing his upcoming five-track EP ‘Girl Bites Dog’, featuring Irish rap heavyweight Kojaque and Joe Butler, set to land on April 17th.
If you needed proof that KhakiKid is in his prime, look no further than his recent sold-out headline show at Dublin’s legendary 3Olympia Theatre, a moment that cemented his status as one of the most compelling artists to emerge from Ireland in years. ‘Favela’ is the kind of track that grabs you by the collar and refuses to let go. Co-produced by F3miii and Louis Stanley Isaac, it’s a genre-blending, soul-dipped banger that fans of his breakout hit ‘Date Nite’ are going to absolutely lose their minds over. Sharp verses? Check. An earworm of a chorus? Absolutely. The ability to float between rap, R&B and indie without breaking a sweat? That’s just what KhakiKid does.
As for the EP title, ‘Girl Bites Dog’ flips the classic journalistic phrase “man bites dog” on its head. The idea being that the unexpected is always the real story and that’s a perfect description for an artist who has built his entire career on defying expectations.
Born and raised in Dublin, KhakiKid (real name Abdu) started writing raps at just 12 years old, fuelled by the raw energy of Eminem and 50 Cent and the chaotic brilliance of Channel U’s grime scene. Since then he has developed a sound that is entirely and unmistakably his own, drawing from Tyler, The Creator, Mac Miller and homegrown heroes like Bricknasty and Kojaque. What makes him stand out beyond the music is the fact that he writes, records, directs and edits everything himself. Total creative control, total authenticity.
His music explores identity, belonging and heritage in deeply personal ways. Growing up on a council estate in Dublin, navigating life with ADHD, and reconnecting with his Arab-Irish roots have all shaped an artistic voice that feels genuinely unique in the Irish music landscape.
The numbers back it up too. Over 25 million streams. 100,000 new followers gained in a matter of months. Co-signs from Lola Young and Anderson Paak. A spot on Spotify RADAR: First Listen. Features in NME, Dazed, Wonderland and MTVUK. Two nominations at this year’s RTE Choice Music Prize for Breakthrough Artist and Song of the Year for ‘Date Nite’. Radio support from Maia Beth, Sian Eleri, and John Kennedy. The momentum is real and it shows no signs of slowing down.
‘Girl Bites Dog’ will be his fourth project and by all accounts his most ambitious yet. KhakiKid isn’t just on the rise. He’s actively reshaping what Irish alternative music looks and sounds like, and the rest of the world is starting to take notice.
Dublin’s most exciting alternative rapper KhakiKid has kicked off 2026 with a bang, dropping his infectious new single ‘Favela’ and announcing his upcoming five-track EP ‘Girl Bites Dog’, featuring Irish rap heavyweight Kojaque and Joe Butler, set to land on April 17th.
If you needed proof that KhakiKid is in his prime, look no further than his recent sold-out headline show at Dublin’s legendary 3Olympia Theatre, a moment that cemented his status as one of the most compelling artists to emerge from Ireland in years. ‘Favela’ is the kind of track that grabs you by the collar and refuses to let go. Co-produced by F3miii and Louis Stanley Isaac, it’s a genre-blending, soul-dipped banger that fans of his breakout hit ‘Date Nite’ are going to absolutely lose their minds over. Sharp verses? Check. An earworm of a chorus? Absolutely. The ability to float between rap, R&B and indie without breaking a sweat? That’s just what KhakiKid does.
As for the EP title, ‘Girl Bites Dog’ flips the classic journalistic phrase “man bites dog” on its head. The idea being that the unexpected is always the real story and that’s a perfect description for an artist who has built his entire career on defying expectations.
Born and raised in Dublin, KhakiKid (real name Abdu) started writing raps at just 12 years old, fuelled by the raw energy of Eminem and 50 Cent and the chaotic brilliance of Channel U’s grime scene. Since then he has developed a sound that is entirely and unmistakably his own, drawing from Tyler, The Creator, Mac Miller and homegrown heroes like Bricknasty and Kojaque. What makes him stand out beyond the music is the fact that he writes, records, directs and edits everything himself. Total creative control, total authenticity.
His music explores identity, belonging and heritage in deeply personal ways. Growing up on a council estate in Dublin, navigating life with ADHD, and reconnecting with his Arab-Irish roots have all shaped an artistic voice that feels genuinely unique in the Irish music landscape.
The numbers back it up too. Over 25 million streams. 100,000 new followers gained in a matter of months. Co-signs from Lola Young and Anderson Paak. A spot on Spotify RADAR: First Listen. Features in NME, Dazed, Wonderland and MTVUK. Two nominations at this year’s RTE Choice Music Prize for Breakthrough Artist and Song of the Year for ‘Date Nite’. Radio support from Maia Beth, Sian Eleri, and John Kennedy. The momentum is real and it shows no signs of slowing down.
‘Girl Bites Dog’ will be his fourth project and by all accounts his most ambitious yet. KhakiKid isn’t just on the rise. He’s actively reshaping what Irish alternative music looks and sounds like, and the rest of the world is starting to take notice.
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