Rag’n’Bone Man on ‘Human’: It Doesn’t Feel Like An Album To Me

In 2017, a bearded baritone from East Sussex released a debut album that would catapult him into global superstardom. That album was Human — a raw, genre-defying collection of tracks that gave us one of the most streamed songs of all time.Fast-forward to 2025: Rag’n’Bone Man (aka Rory Graham) is three albums in, a global touring powerhouse, and a father. But what was it like living through the explosion of Human? Did he see it coming? And how did he navigate the intense spotlight that followed?In this episode of On The Record, Rory revisits the making of Human, the stories behind songs like the title track (which is now been streamed over 5 billion times), “Skin” and “Giant,” the hip hop roots he nearly followed, and how becoming a dad during peak fame shaped his worldview.He opens up about industry pressures, his refusal to mime on TV, and how emotional vulnerability has made him a better artist. Plus, he teases his new single with Danger Mouse and hints at a long-awaited guitar album.This is an honest, nostalgic, and at times, funny, look back at a milestone moment, from the artist who lived it.⸻Episode Tags (Spotify/SEO)Rag’n’Bone Man, Human, Rory Graham, Poppy Reid, On The Record, debut album, UK soul, hip hop, pop music, music industry, artist interview, podcast, 2025, Calvin Harris, Jamie Hartman, Danger Mouse, music podcast, album retrospective, artist evolution⸻Podcast Show NotesFeatured topics:
• Revisiting Human: The writing process and why it didn’t feel like a true debut album
• Behind the scenes of “Human” and “Skin” with Jamie Hartman
• The early impact of European radio and global chart success
• Balancing fatherhood with sudden fame
• Hip hop beginnings, the Wolves record, and almost making a rap album
• Navigating the music industry: fame, false starts, and staying true to yourself
• Accusations of cultural appropriation and paying homage to Black music
• Unreleased collaborations, freestyling lyrics, and new music with Danger Mouse
• The beauty of artistic evolution and hinting at a guitar-driven futureGuest: Rag’n’Bone Man
Host: Poppy Reid
Produced by: Curious Media
Recorded in: Sydney, Australia