Since 2018 debut single, the grisly drill smash “Homerton B”, Daniel Lena—better known as Unknown T—has ensured his name wasn’t added to British rap’s one-hit wonder database. Rubber stamped across subsequent mixtapes Rise Above Hate (2020) and Adolescence (2021), the East Londoner’s signature flow tied him to the exciting rise of the UK’s drill variety during the late 2010s. But even as far back as his breakthrough, he had plans to evolve and challenge fans. “If I’m very honest, I can say that I’ve been keeping things to a surface level before now,” he tells Apple Music. “This album is where I felt like I was going to get a bit deeper. I’ve always had it in my mind to just relax, ignore the hype, and hold stuff for the album—and now’s the time. I had to get these stories out, and this burden off me. Now I can start the next part of my life.” As the title suggests, Blood Diamond was inspired by the rapper taking a trip to Africa in 2023. Though a mining trade, and its effects, still exists in T’s native Uganda, the record alludes to the unearthing of more personal insights. “I feel like I was able to explore life a little bit [in 2023],” he says. “I’m not just older but wiser, too. Going back to my home roots, seeing a different culture, that’s also my culture, it was like seeing a different world. It humbled me, and I’m thankful I was able to get that perspective. Now I realise the position I’m blessed to be in, so of course it was going to influence my music.” Three tracks from 2023 EP Before the Smoke make the cut here, proving that the pre-album feeler EP is still a worthwhile experiment for MCs branching towards new sounds. Whether he’s updating a UK rap classic (“Hard Life”) or wrestling with survivor’s guilt (“Time”), trading flows with Nigerian newcomer ODUMODUBLVCK (“WELCOME 2 MY STRIP”) or successfully gathering his crew—98s (also known as the 9iners)—all in one place for the first time (on “AVEN9ERS ASSEM8LE”), so much of Blood Diamond highlights a lengthy step-by-step process, and the mesmerising life story behind the album. “More than anything, I want you to understand the similarities in the [diamond-making] process,” he says. “Yeah, life will get tough, and there will always be pressure, but trust that you’ll come out of it.” Here, Unknown T guides you across his detailed debut album, track by track. “2023” “I start with a classical-sounding intro before we switch into the actual beat, just for that element of misdirection. Like when you look at a diamond and you can see different perspectives to it. It’s the same here. There’s so much more to me than the eye can see.” “Time” “This is one of my favourites on the album because I stepped out of my comfort zone. Since coming into the game, I’ve not touched this style of rap, but I was listening to a whole range of albums—mainly ’90s stuff, like JAY-Z and Biggie—for inspiration. This beat gives me a really special and nostalgic feeling, and I had to touch on some difficult things so I hope people can hear that growth in me.” “WELCOME 2 MY STRIP” (feat. ODUMODUBLVCK) “About my A&R and managers, I’ve gotta say: They always do their due diligence. I was told about ODUMODUBLVCK early on, whilst looking for features to match my sound. You’ve got amapiano and other sounds bubbling away on the continent, but there’s also a movement from these up-and-coming ghetto boys. When I finally linked up with him, he showed me I was in his top three [streaming] artists, which was crazy to me, he’s been listening to me for years! That’s probably why it all seemed to click and just make sense with him right away.” “Hocus Pocus” (feat. Loyle Carner) “It was overall a really humbling experience getting to work with Loyle Carner. In the world [of drill music] that I came from, I wasn’t too familiar with his style and approach to music. But he’s opened my eyes to another section of British [rap] music that is still a key piece of the puzzle. Plus, he’s moved to Homerton now, where I’m from, with his wife and kids. [He] told me his wife loved my song, which actually influenced him writing ‘Homerton’ [on 2022’s hugo]. Later, I saw him live [at OVO Arena Wembley in March 2023] and when I got to see his audience and the connection he has with them, as they all put up their lights to the song, it was his turn to inspire me. This track is a perfect contrast of both of our worlds—and a reminder not to judge a book by the cover.” “PASSA” “I went up to Manchester to record this with [UK production duo] whYJay and LiTek. I thought, ‘Why not speak to the people about the shit going on in the world right now?’ 2023 was a weird time for the drill genre. Throughout that awkward stage, we all had to take risks and explore.” “Adolescence (feat. Digga D)” “I wanted this song on my last mixtape [Adolescence], but we couldn’t make it happen back then. We had issues tracking down the rights holder to the instrumental [of Mobb Deep’s ‘In the Smash’]. Eventually, we had to chase it up all the way to France for a sit-down conversation, and I’m so happy we got it there in the end—two years later! This is a remake of Giggs and Dubz’ track [“Pain Is the Essence”] on [2007 mixtape] Ard Bodied. First, have to shout them out for giving this their approval and not hogging. They’re not those haters that will just give someone a blind eye and refuse to support a new generation.” “Bon Appétit” “This was the last song that I added to the album, right after I went on tour in [Aotearoa] New Zealand and Australia. I was reflecting on how far I’ve come—that’s the opening line. That trip was a wake-up call for me, a really beautiful one. I realised just how far my voice, through my music, has been able to travel the world even before I’ve been able to. This time last year, I thought I was slept on—but all these new emotions and experiences come together and let me know that I can feel like the man. And it resonates through the music.” “Ignition Interlude” “The fans know my [relationship] situation. I was in one, and then…things happen. Songs like this, and even ‘Tugman Vacation’ and ‘SS Interlude’ [on previous projects], they come from very real emotions, and I feel like they really resonate with the people.” “Rain” (feat. Tiana Major9) “This was my first time working with Tiana Major9 and also with a full choir. I laid down references for both parts, and she came in and really understood the task. Then, the choir finished it off beautifully. I love that Tiana has a nine in her name, that part just feels really significant to me.” “Right Hand” (with Knucks) “Think of this track as a second part to [2021 single] ‘Goodums’. I sort of stepped into a world of alternative rap on that single, which woke me up to a whole community of artists. Knucks is one of the first that I started to really study: I respect his art, and his growth too, from producer to artist. I enjoyed working with him on this track. We shot the video out in France, and had the idea to subtitle the visual in French, which has done great for my streaming numbers out there.” “AVEN9ERS ASSEM8LE” (feat. 98s) “Blood Diamond is about not forgetting where I’ve come from, so I had to get the 9iners on here—I’ll never forget these boys. I think this is the only track out there with all of us on it. You know how it goes, the roads and the music being two separate lifestyles, so it’s difficult. But the boys kept a level head here, stayed motivated, and always had the dream to get to the end of the tunnel. And obviously, with that light that I gave, I’m happy that I could connect the dots.” “Wisdom & Smoke” “We used this track in an advert for [creative media agency and fashion brand] Places + Faces’ new sunglasses. We set it up like a GTA-style clip, where you can live out the game looking through the shades, it’s pretty cool. And that’s mainly because of how drill music has been demonised in recent years—it’s scary. Now we have to tread so carefully and be creative with the way I use it.” “Still in the Mud” “A lot of the time, the normal narrative that people run with is, ‘This rapper’s blown now. He’s left his area behind him, and forgotten where he’s from.’ But here I am, third project in, five years later, and I’m still in the mud. But I’m feeding the community in the right way—with good music and vibes. That’s why this is a bubbly song you can dance and flex to.” “Duppy” (with GRM Daily) “We decided to split up the two parts of my ‘Daily Duppy’ [freestyle] with GRM Daily from November 2023. This first half is where I touch on the streets and how things have unravelled in my absence over this drill beat. There’s other bits and bobs that have gone on to somehow have a domino effect, but it’s part of my journey, All I have to say is, ‘Free my brothers’, unfortunately.” “Like SZA” (with GRM Daily) “I like to go into sessions and test producers sometimes. I don’t like to pick beats. I’d like to see you make it there and show what you’ve really got. At the end of 2023, I met [UK producer] Emil and I have to big him up for this beat, he’s a star. I expressed to him what I wanted, and you know what? He just sat down and made that beat on the scratch, bro. It’s the second part of the freestyle, and this off-beat pattern and tempo was an intriguing structure to rap to, but really enhanced my flows.” “Hard Life” (feat. Scribz Riley) “This tune is a sample of [2007 single] ‘Hard Life’ by Lightnin, which was a classic back in the day. It’s East London nostalgia, mainly, but the message is so real that people can feel it anywhere, from London to the Bronx.” “Till We Meet Again” “We started with classical so I had to end it on a similarly epic, musical note. This is my final moment to be the orchestrator, until we meet again.”