Children of Zeus

Manchester-based soul duo Children of Zeus have always called themselves a "soul project for hip-hop heads." Though they formed a key component of the city's grime community that grew up around Bugzy Malone and LEVELZ, their first single "Still Standing" revealed a hip-hop-and-soul fusion that diverged sharply from prevailing U.K. rap styles of the 2010s.

Konny Kon, who serves as DJ, MC, and beatmaker, launched his path inside the local hip-hop trio Broke 'n' English before assuming MC responsibilities within Children of Zeus. Tyler Daley, previously known as Hoodman, began as an MC and actor, later shifting toward singing and contributing to recordings by Goldie, Lisa Mafia, and Soul II Soul's Caron Wheeler.

Merging Kon's MC abilities with Daley's soulful vocals and the pair's joint productions, they issued an alternative to grime via the 2016 single "Still Standing." All early material appeared on the South London independent hip-hop imprint First World, which issued the single "I Can't Wait" together with the compilation EP The Story So Far… in 2017. The next year saw the release of their first full-length effort, the 13-track Travel Light.