At the age of 20, Keaton Edmund, known professionally as Kidwild, finds himself in what he describes as the "comeback part of my life." This remarkable statement underscores the rapid, whirlwind trajectory of a young artist who has already packed multiple careers into two decades, only to find his most profound success by turning inwards and baring his soul.
From West End child star to major label limbo
Kidwild's journey in the spotlight began in childhood. He performed opposite Beverley Knight in the West End production of The Bodyguard, a role that took him on tour to China. He held a main role for four seasons in the CBBC football drama Jamie Johnson, appeared on Casualty, and even featured as a baby-faced dancer in Stormzy's iconic 2017 video for Vossi Bop. This early immersion in the entertainment industry forced him to mature quickly, spending significant time alone and with adults, which shaped his perspective.
His initial foray into music saw him signed to Atlantic Records at just 17, with his mother required to chaperone him to the contract signing. However, after releasing only two tracks, the executive who signed him departed, leaving Edmund in professional limbo. A third release failed to meet the label's undefined expectations, leading to him being dropped. This experience was, in his words, "degrading," causing him to second-guess his talent after being touted as "the next star."
A self-made breakthrough and embracing vulnerability
Paradoxically, being released from his contract felt "like I came out of jail," granting him the creative freedom to build a career on his own terms. The turning point came in October 2024 when his self-released track Indecisive began gaining major traction, eventually amassing over 29 million streams on Spotify. He was visiting family in St Lucia when the track blew up, experiencing his dream success from his grandmother's village house.
Returning to London, he entered a "flow state" and wrote the hook for Redemption, which became one of the biggest British rap tracks of 2025. His music, set over atmospheric, drill-adjacent beats, is distinguished by its raw emotional honesty. On tracks like the JBee collaboration If I Lose, he directly asks a lover, "I just want you to hold me."
Kidwild believes this vulnerability fills a crucial gap, particularly for male listeners. "A lot of men don't open up," he states, linking the issue to male suicide rates. He receives messages from fans who relate deeply to his lyrics, suggesting that for those who struggle to speak about their emotions, his music provides a vital outlet for connection and understanding.
Confronting the past and a mixtape for the future
The most potent example of his candid storytelling is the recent single Forgive Me, which tackles his complex relationship with his father, who was imprisoned for several years. The lyrics are heartbreakingly direct: "I was calling your phone, never got no reception / The only pic I got of us is me in Reception." He recalls his first phone call from jail, where he could only muster a "hi" before handing the phone back to his mother. The track even includes the conflicted line, "Is it a crime if I say I'm glad he got sentenced?"
After five years of no contact, the pair are now beginning to reconcile. Kidwild reflects that with age comes understanding, allowing him to process his past anger. Looking forward, he has a debut mixtape planned for spring, which he sees as "a chance to talk my truth" and document his difficult youth.
In a musical landscape he feels is often dominated by vibe-based tracks, Kidwild is determined to add depth and substantive topic. "A lot of music now, there's not much topic," he observes, acknowledging the appeal of pure vibes but committed to offering his audience something more introspective and personally resonant.
