Khakikid

Khakikid at The Lower Third

Dublin rapper KhakiKid (born Abdu Huss) grew up as the middle child in a working-class household, developing an early awareness of his surroundings and identity as an Irish-Libyan outsider. Influenced by UK grime via Channel U—particularly artists like Chip and Skepta—as well as US rap icons such as 50 Cent and Eminem, he began writing music at just 12 years old, already drawn to lyricism and technical skill.

Coming of age during the Tumblr and SoundCloud boom, he was inspired by boundary-pushing artists like XXXTENTACION, Tyler, the Creator, and Mac Miller, who blended genres and reshaped hip-hop’s possibilities. Throughout his teens, he refined his writing with friends, focusing on wordplay and flow, before briefly stepping away from music to pursue basketball, earning a scholarship opportunity in Los Angeles. Realising the steep level of competition, he ultimately returned to rap with renewed focus.

Back in Dublin, KhakiKid began steadily building his sound, sharing music online and investing in affordable recording equipment. His 2021 debut single “Late” introduced a jazz-infused hip-hop style inspired by artists like Anderson.Paakand Mac Miller. Follow-up releases such as “Shlumped Up” and “Cozy” expanded this palette, leading to his debut EP Sports & Tattoos, where he combined introspection with playful storytelling.

A key turning point came as he embraced his natural Irish accent in his music, influenced by groups like Kneecap. This shift added authenticity, humor, and character to his delivery. On later projects like san bebé and Moanbag, he pushed further into genre fusion—blending alt-rap, rock, house, and electronica—while exploring themes of relationships, heartbreak, and self-reflection. Tracks like “Boy Racer” and “Date Nite” showcase his growing melodic ability and confident songwriting.

His latest project, Girl Bites Dog, captures KhakiKid at his most fully realised, combining alt-rap with punk energy to channel youthful angst and emotional comp