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Jordan Stephens on substance abuse during music comeback

Getty Images Jordan Stephens wears a hat and shows off parts of his hair. He wears a loose jacket with no top underneath and a necklace. Getty Images

Jordan Stephens, one half of Rizzle Kicks, has detailed his struggles with substance abuse, fame and grief

Jordan Stephens has revealed how drug addiction contributed to the breakup of hip-hop duo Rizzle Kicks.

Their debut album Stereo Typical, released three years after the group formed in Brighton in 2008, sold more than 600,000 copies.

But after personal struggles between Stephens and the other half of the duo – Harley Alexander-Sule – Rizzle Kicks went on hiatus that ultimately lasted eight years.

“During the time we were trying to find ourselves, Harley developed crippling stage fear and I basically became a drug addict,” Stephens said.

The 32-year-old has detailed his struggles with substance abuse, fame, grief, self-harm, masculinity and more in his new memoir titled Avoidance, Drugs, Heartbreak & Dogs.

“At our peak, when we had the most exposure and fame, the pressure was incredible,” he said BBC Radio Sussex.

“That broke me and Harley apart. But in the last eight years that we've put Rizzle Kicks on hold, Harley has fathered two beautiful children, I've gotten sober, and we're closer than ever.”

Getty Images Jessie J, Harley Alexander-Sule, Ed Sheeran, Jordan Stephens and Professor Green all look at the camera and smile at an event.Getty Images

Rizzle Kicks had hits like “Down With the Trumpets” and “Mama Do the Hump.”

Before a big show at the Corn Exchange in Brighton, Stephens described his 20s as a “whirlwind” in which Rizzle Kicks had hits such as “Down With the Trumpets” and “Mama Do the Hump”.

Stephens described himself as “young, ambitious and insane” and said he would discourage anyone from reaching the same heights without a support system in place.

“It can be harmful,” he said.

“If I were in a situation where I was fathering a child close to a potential lifestyle like mine, I would make different suggestions and recommendations than the ones I received.”

Getty Images Jordan Stephens and Harley Alexander-Sule wear suits and smile for the camera. Behind it is signage for the Brit Awards 2012. Both men are wearing black suits. Getty Images

Jordan Stephens and Harley Alexander-Sule's debut release sold more than a million singles and 600,000 albums

Stephens added: “Every high has a price and I paid it. You don’t feel your grief any less intense just because you’re doing well.”

He said he was able to break away from his previous lifestyle and engage in retreats and therapy for emotional trauma.

In May of this year, the duo announced their reformation and have since released a new single, Javelin.

If you are experiencing any of the issues mentioned in this article, you can find help and support details at BBC Action Line.

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