Few debut mixtapes arrive with the weight and intention carried by The Origins from Apollo and Yung Kenz. Built entirely in-house and fuelled by lived experience, the project is more than an introduction, it’s a reckoning with bloodlines, generational grief, and the pride of representing overlooked postcodes. In this interview, Apollo lays bare the roots of the collaboration, the creative discipline of keeping everything DIY, and the responsibility he feels carrying a movement for North East Scotland on his back. From lyrical clarity to engineering grit, every aspect of The Origins holds purpose. Read on to hear how pain forged a shared purpose and how Apollo is channelling legacy into a louder future.
Welcome to A&R Factory, Apollo. It’s a pleasure to speak with you about The Origins and the powerful story behind your collaborative work with Yung Kenz. “Two Generations – One Legacy” is a powerful statement. What does it represent for you personally, and how does it resonate throughout the mixtape?
For me, it’s not just a tagline – it’s the truth of our lives. I started rapping over a decade ago but never followed through until my nephew Yung Kenz picked up the mic. We’ve both grown up in the same struggle, just in different eras. This project is about honouring the pain, purpose, and power we share as two generations of the same bloodline – and making sure the story of where we’re from gets told properly.
Hip hop has often served as a mirror to personal and societal issues. How did the weight of family history and shared trauma shape the lyrical and production choices across the mixtape?
Our whole sound is built on truth. From the bars to the beats, everything had to feel real. We’ve both lost family, grown up in chaos, and carried pain that doesn’t get spoken about where we’re from. So we turned that into the foundation – soulful samples, raw verses, and moments of light cutting through the dark. This isn’t just music, it’s therapy in motion.
You’ve built this project entirely DIY, from production to engineering, within your own home studio. What have been the most rewarding and challenging parts of keeping the process in-house?
The biggest reward is freedom. Every line, every mix, every choice is ours – there’s no outside pressure or compromise. But that also means the workload’s all on us. It’s late nights, technical headaches, and constantly learning on the go. Still, I wouldn’t trade it. This is how you build something solid from the ground up.
There’s a clear emotional pull in your lyricism, but you’ve also woven in elements that carry a broader commercial appeal. How do you decide where to draw the line between vulnerability and accessibility?
For me, the vulnerability is the hook. People relate to honesty – when it’s not forced, it connects. I don’t write to be commercial; I write to be clear. If the truth sounds good, people will play it twice. But we’re always aware of the flow, the bounce, the delivery. It’s about speaking deep while keeping the vibe alive.
With the mixtape being a collaborative effort between you and Yung Kenz, how did you navigate the generational perspectives within the writing and recording sessions to ensure both voices came through equally?
We gave each other space to be ourselves. Kenz speaks from a fresh point of view – he’s 19, coming up now. I bring the lived experience, the perspective of someone who’s seen it all twice. The key was respecting each other’s voice. We’d challenge each other in the booth but always with the same goal – making it real and making it ours.
You’ve mentioned wanting the project to speak directly to young people growing up in overlooked areas. What message do you hope they take from The Origins, both musically and personally?
That their voice matters. That they’re not alone. That where you’re from doesn’t have to define where you’re going. We’ve both made mistakes, seen hard times, lost people – but we’re here. This mixtape is proof that you can build something powerful even when nobody gives you the blueprint.
Scotland isn’t always the first region that comes to mind when people think of hip hop. What has your experience been like representing Scottish rap, and how do you see your role in expanding its reach?
It’s a blessing and a challenge. Scottish rap doesn’t always get the same light, but that’s changing – and we’re part of that shift. We want people to hear the soul in our stories, not just the accent. Our role is to raise the bar, stay authentic, and open doors for others coming up in the North East and beyond.
As you move forward beyond this debut release, what are your priorities for evolving your sound and strengthening the identity of your label and movement from the North East of Scotland?
We’re just getting started. Another collab project is already in the works – the bond me and Kenz have is too strong not to keep building on. Alongside that, we’re both working on solo EPs to show our individual voices in full, and if we can close the year with a debut album? That would be incredible. The focus now is consistency, quality, and making sure the movement from the North East keeps growing louder.
Interview by Amelia Vandergast
