Jordan Stephens has revealed that his battle with drug addiction and the challenges of fame were major factors behind the split of hip-hop duo Rizzle Kicks.
Known for hits like Down With the Trumpets and Mama Do the Hump, the Brighton-based group’s debut album, Stereo Typical, sold over 600,000 copies.
However, their success came with intense pressure that led Stephens and partner Harley Alexander-Sule to put Rizzle Kicks on hold for eight years.
Stephens, now 32, shared how the height of fame contributed to a “whirlwind” lifestyle and personal struggles.
“In that time, Harley developed crippling stage anxiety, and I became a drug addict,” he explained in an interview with BBC Radio Sussex.
The pressure of fame, Stephens added, pushed the duo apart, though their hiatus ultimately allowed both artists to rediscover themselves.
Stephens has since embraced sobriety and penned a memoir titled Avoidance, Drugs, Heartbreak & Dogs, which details his journey through addiction, grief, and self-discovery.
During the break, Alexander-Sule became a father to two children, and the two artists are now closer than ever.
Looking back, Stephens described his younger self as “aspirational and delusional,” cautioning others against pursuing fame without a strong support system.
He has since engaged in therapy and emotional trauma retreats, gaining tools to cope with his experiences.
After announcing their reunion in May, Rizzle Kicks released a new single, Javelin, marking a fresh chapter for the pair.
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