Durham City rapper Faithful Johannes is a one-off. A performer, storyteller and musician, who weaves Alan Bennett-level observational humour with his own crippling social anxieties.
His first album Thrills & Bills was described by NARC Magazine as ‘an oddly matter-of-fact record about the crushing realities of life and moments of joy that make it all worthwhile’. It included ‘Ghosts in my Attic’ a song meditating on an unsuccessful attempt to clear out a loft, which was later voted Northeast song of the year.
Johannes’ second album, 2021’s Ken & Jean, released on pink vinyl by Win Big Records, is a story record about a man who repeatedly fails to understand that his jokes and pranks have got out of hand, until he eventually does. It was described by Electronic Sound as ‘a beautiful confection of gentle breakbeats, farty synths, 1960s pop flourishes and Johannes’ self-described barely rap: an adorable mumble that reeks of tearooms, listless Tuesdays and a very British brand of drizzle-soaked desperation.’
He’s received multiple national radio plays on BBC 6Music. In 2023 he was shortlisted for the BBC’s Words First spoken word competition.
In 2024 he teamed up with producer Neocia for their critically acclaimed album The House at Night. A delicate study of childhood memories, familial relationships and parental angst, that places Johannes’ poetic forte at the front and centre of the Northeast scene.
Crafted within an almost Lynchian framework, the album delves into a myriad of themes that range from the surreal to the all too real. Dreams and fears; pressures and expectations;nostalgia and present-day realities. Johannes unloads his bars with a seemingly casual delivery that disarms the listener and eases them into the depth of his lyricism.