Limerick rapper Strange Boy combines trad and hip-hop

"EVERYONE knows each other, I swear to god, it’s mad," says Strange Boy after waving at yet another familiar face in Limerick city. Under his moniker, Jordan McNally Kelly combines hip-hop with elements of Irish traditional music. The Caherdavin native, who is currently working on his next album, says he grew up in a lovely spot.

“My upbringing there was very nice. I didn't really have much, but my mother did the best she could and the people around there are very lovely, you know, so I had a lot of freedom as a kid as well,” he says. “I was able to just wander the streets, got up to my own devices and got into trouble as well.”

With his debut album, Holy/Unholy, the rapper delved into self-sabotage, alcoholism and suicide while offering a fusion between hip-hop and traditional music. According to Strange Boy, his second album will be less “dark and grim,” and a lot more humorous.

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“I think it's gonna be a lot more upbeat, a lot more funny. Definitely a lot more up-tempo and energy, just more like traditional rapping, but still with the trad and the Irish elements in it, I’m just trying to progress that side of things further,” he explains.

Rapping over what he calls “standard American hip-hop beats” never felt natural to him. “I suppose the accent, the cultural aspect of the trad and me being from Ireland, I think it just worked so well together. The trad element fits very well over here and whenever I do it live, it's just perfect because people go mad for the trad band.”

He admits he can’t play any instrument. Although, he’s been trying to learn how to play the banjo. How’s that going?

“I'm not good at it really, I'm useless,” he laughs. “I've had the banjo for a year and I haven't got anywhere with it. Maybe I need to take up lessons or something, stuff like that just doesn't catch my attention - I have a very short attention span.”

Even though his songs touch on subjects that hit close to home, the rapper notes there are certain things he’d never write about. “Things I’ve seen within my family and that I've witnessed myself, I couldn't really talk about it because it's not my place to talk about those things, maybe the person doesn't want that out there.”

According to the artist, being in the music industry sometimes takes a lot of energy. After his performances, people often come up to him to let him know how they feel – and ultimately, how his music is helping them fight their personal battles.

“It takes a lot because some people just come up to you to say well done or that they loved the show. Then, there’s other people that come up you and then tell you like mad stories about when they've been at rock bottom or tragedies that happened to them. And like, they'd be crying in my face, tears flowing, and they look at me like I was almost their saviour through my music.

“I don't know really how to handle them situations appropriately. So I just, give them a hug and say 'thank you', God bless 'em. I love that people find that from my songs. They can get that through my songs. It's just, I don't know if I always respond the right way to them certain things,” he confides.

As he is about to talk about his faith, a Golden Retriever interrupts him – yet, another friendly face who came by to say hi. After giving the four-legged friend the attention they deserve, Strange Boy says he is a believer.

“It might sound a bit corny now, but I do kind of say a prayer to God. I'm a believer in God, so I believe everything good comes from him. I’m just saying I'm grateful for whatever I have at the moment and kind of asking for the performance to go well.”

After growing up with “God being forced down his throat,” the artist says he was an atheist up until recently.

“I fell on hard times and, I don't wanna say I found God, but I kind of feel that's what brought me out of that slump. And ever since, I kind of have a strong feeling for that type of stuff. I wouldn't even say who's wrong and right, I just have my own something that gives me strength at times when I need it,” he says before putting his hands behind his head.

Strange Boy feels privileged to be able to make a living out of his music. “It’s really a dream come true for me, because I never really thought I'd get to the point where I could like just pay rent or just buy whatever I wanted, basically off of music and from being creative. I think it’s something really special,” he smiles.

Even though he keeps waving at people, Strange Boy says he’s not a sociable person. “I’m very unsociable. When I step out the door, I try not to be a pr**k and just put on my sociable face, you know?”

He quickly points out that it's not an act. “When I was growing up, I was always left to my own devices, so I had a lot of time to myself and I think developed my brain into being used to being by myself and used to solitude all the time.”

Interestingly enough, he’s not used to large crowds of people, so his dream might seem paradoxal. “It doesn't even make me feel any type of way, I can handle it, I just have a preference for being by myself. My dream is to play on like a massive stage in front of like thousands and thousands of people. I’d love to play a Coachella type of stage,” he notes with a slight smile.

As the conversation comes to an end, Strange Boy concludes with the one lesson he’d share with his 13-year-old self.  “Have a bit of confidence in yourself, just put your head down, keep working hard - and lay off the weed.”