Idris Elba Returns To Rap, Shares New Song ‘Knives Down’

Actor, DJ and occasional musician Idris Elba has shared a new anti-violence single entitled ‘Knives Down’, in which he teams up with up-and-coming English rapper DB Maz and youth-violence organisation Don’t Stop Your Future to call upon UK parliament to take action on knife crime.

In a statement posted to Don’t Stop Your Future’s website, Elba – a father of two – explained that the campaign “aims to raise serious youth violence to the top of the political agenda, where it belongs.” He refers to the rise in youth violence and knife crime throughout 2023, where thousands of young children and teenagers were victims – with wounds that were, in many cases, fatal.

“It’s easy to feel like the growing rate of violence is unstoppable. But the fact is that if Parliament gives this issue the focus it deserves – this terrible trajectory absolutely can be reversed.

“To the political leaders reading this, this can be the moment we turn the tide. The year the numbers reversed course. It’s not too late to end this nightmare for our kids – and make fuel for their dreams instead.”

Watch the music video, directed by production company MD Films, below.

Idris Elba feat. DB Maz – ‘Knives Down’

Though best known as an actor, Elba has shown a keen interest in music throughout his career. Releasing his debut EP Big Man in 2006, Elba has collaborated with artists as varied as Macklemore, Taylor Swift and Australia’s own Lime Cordiale – the lattermost of whom he made the EP Cordi Elba with in 2021. Last year saw Elba release a string of singles, including ‘We Run The Area’ and the Cyberpunk 2077 soundtrack cut ‘Choke Hold’.

Along with his continued work with Don’t Stop Your Future, 2024 will also see Elba reprise his role as Knuckles for both the third instalment of the live-action Sonic The Hedgehog franchise and the debuting Paramount+ series Knuckles.

Further Reading

Fatboy Slim Shares Remix Of Lime Cordiale & Idris Elba’s ‘Holiday’

Here’s What Happened When ‘Thor’ Star Idris Elba Dropped A DJ Set In Sydney

Lime Cordiale & Idris Elba: ‘Cordi Elba’ Review – Clever and Funny Summer Anthems