Crabs in a Bucket

“When you hear the music, I think the title explains itself,” Nines tells Apple Music of his third album Crabs in a Bucket. “I just felt like when I look back on recent situations I had, they all made me feel that way.” An artist who has always depicted the transition from life on the road (2015 mixtape One Foot In) to being a high-profile rapper and entrepreneur (2017’s One Foot Out), his absence from the forefront of the music scene since his acclaimed 2018 album Crop Circle has brought around a slew of online rumours, as well as heightened anticipation for his next release. On Crabs in a Bucket, Nines—born Courtney Freckleton—explains where he’s been, exploring the impact of his stabbing in the summer of 2019, during a time when he was also supporting his father through cancer. The incident left the North-West Londoner requiring surgery and a recovery period abroad—time away that allowed him to find solace, and regain a passion for music. All of which ignited his ambition to put together his most polished work yet. “I was in different countries—Spain, Paris, Dubai—when I was making this album. That’s why it took a bit of time. I would go sometimes three months without recording. But you know what they say: When you’re uninspired, the best thing is to do other things.” Over 52 minutes, and with guest spots from Nafe Smallz, NSG and Headie One to name a few, Nines relights his fire by doubling down on witty rap references, big-time boasts and smooth trap talk. Elsewhere, he hones his storytelling prowess—and allows himself the room to be more introspective than ever (see “Intro” and “NIC” especially). Walk with Nines as he breaks down Crabs in a Bucket, one track at a time. Intro “I didn’t intend for this to be the intro to the album, but everyone I’ve played the album to said this was the one. Normally you hear me get busy with the trap talk, the flavours, just popping that fly shit, but I went deeper and addressed a lot. It set the tone for the album; when the f