ANALYSING “HOME” BY KNUCKS

By Bradley Mika-Gonzalves

As an aspiring creative in the film, television and music industry,

storytelling has been my favourite aspect for many years. My love for
music grew stronger through the art of storytelling, and my favourite
storytelling songs without any visuals to go with it, I would close my eyes
and envision the right visual representation best suited to the lyrics and
meaning of that certain song. Luckily, the song I will be analysing did
have a music video: a music video which happens to be one of my
favourites, that being Knucks’ “Home”.
Released in 2019, the music video for “Home” currently sits at 10 million
views on YouTube while the song on Spotify has been streamed over
21.3 million times. Arguably considered to be his most popular song to
this day, the talented Knucks continues to excel and rise for stardom,
having 3 (1 being forthcoming) projects and millions of views/streams to
his name. I first came across Knucks in 2018, introduced to “Vows” by
my elder sister – and from there, one of Kilburn’s finest has cemented a
place in the list of my favourite rappers since my secondary school
years.
“Home” is well-written, powerful, and tragic: the outro of Knucks’ debut
EP “NRG 105” tells the story of a rebellious teenager: his dysfunctional,
struggling relationship with his concerned mother worsens, jealousy
ensues within a love triangle and trouble at a party results in the
unexpected killing of another teenager. The music video does the visual
representation justice very well, with compelling imagery and scenes
while Knucks delivers a profound, much-needed message in the form of
two young people’s unfortunate stories. It is well-recommended to have
a listen to “NRG 105”, as the theme of radio stations serves as an
important one – “Breaking News” (which is not a song, but a news-based
skit reporting breaking news of a murder) transitions into “Home”.
It is unbeknownst if “Home” is based on a true story, but it can be
considered true and relatable to audiences considering London has
been the home to the tragic murders of young people, driven by teenage
gang rivalries and knife crime for many years. In recent years, the issue
has worsened due to the temptation of crime in working-class, poverty-
filled environments, the passing down of gang rivalries to younger
generations, and arguably the influence of controversial musical genres
such as drill and road rap. The fateful consequences seen in the video
and heard in the song would be the exact same in real life: young lives
ruined by death and prison and two devastated families (the victim and
perpetrator’s) while London ‘continues to burn.’

The situation in “Home” was simply based on jealousy and pride. These
two themes make its presence very clear, as we have seen through
Knucks’/the protagonist’s strained relationship with his mother. His
mother tries her best to keep her son out of trouble, but that is only
possible if he stays home: and he does not want to. When Knucks does
want to stay home he will, but when he does not – he does things his
way. Knucks references coming home past his curfew from a party and
going to another party despite being told not to leave the house.

“Marj in the hallway, bawlin' talking 'bout, "How I’m gettin' home by four?"
His ignorant and disobedient behaviour results in expected
consequences, as the refusal of love and support from his mother left
him misguided and in huge trouble. Toxic masculinity and the desire to
be feared is seen through the following lyrics/video:

“Big man at seventeen, can't be stuck at my home no more”

“Mum sayin' stuff 'bout openin' up but that's what the bros are for”
“Always chasing these wotless guys, I bet you them man ain't on it”
“We was on the field and the no go ends”
“While you're chilling with your mum at home”

Additionally to the desire of being feared with shades of reluctance,

jealousy is portrayed through a love triangle between Knucks, an
unnamed rival and “Anna”. Anna, a fictional love interest who was
previously mentioned in “Wedding Rings” (track 6 on “NRG 105”) is said
to have shown a romantic interest in Knucks, but he is only interested in
her for sexual benefits. This may be reciprocated though when it comes
to Knucks being infuriated with seeing Anna with the unnamed rival.
In the ending of “Home”, Knucks’ rival is stabbed by his friend during the
confrontation over Anna. Knucks, his friends and partygoers flee the
party in horror and shock while Anna stays to help the rival, who
eventually dies from his wounds. Jazz-based imagery comes into play to
support the use of jazz music towards the end of the video. With a close
up shot, a sweating and panicky Knucks begins to regret his choices, but
the consequences catch up to him and his friends early as police pull
them over and arrest them for the murder. All Knucks can do is face the
repercussions as he looks dejected and defeated as his mother calls him
admitting: “I shoulda went home”.

To conclude, “Home” is an excellent portrayal of how quick and easy it is

to make mistakes, teenagers being reluctant, rebellious, and over-reliant
on themselves, and depicting a realistic and gritty narrative of life in
inner-city London. The music video serves as an inspiration for me when
it comes to planning and envisioning music videos that match the lyrics
and direction of the track just well, and I do recommend to aspiring
creatives and all future music video directors. I also recommend tuning
into “NRG 105” as well as Knucks’ other projects “London Class” (2020)
and “Alpha Place” (released in May 2022), which also have great
storytelling tracks such as “Hide and Seek” and “Leon the Professional”.