Nines (rapper)

Courtney Leon Freckleton (born 17 January 1990), known professionally as Nines, is a British rapper.

After releasing a string of mixtapes between 2012 and 2015, Nines signed to XL Recordings and released his debut album One Foot Out (2017), which charted at number 4 on the UK Albums Chart. In 2018, his second album Crop Circle charted at number 5, and he topped the chart with his third album Crabs in a Bucket in 2020. In 2023 he released Crop Circle 2 and Crop Circle 3, which both charted at number 2.

Hailing from Harlesden, he grew up on Church End Estate in North-West London. His older siblings are Tyrone and Wayne Freckleton. In April 2008, Nines' brother, Wayne Freckleton (also known as Brandszino usually shortened to Brands or Zino), was gunned down and murdered in an alleged gangland attack.^[2][3]

In 2011, Nines hosted a charity event where he bought a variety of expensive clothing from JD Sports and handed the items to children that were invited to the event. ^[4] On Christmas Day, he performed a similar charitable act, when he filled a vehicle full of Christmas turkeys and handed the birds to the public nearby the truck for free. ^[5]

Nines and fellow rapper Morrisson got into disagreement which started when Nines taunted Morrison for allegedly copying his trend of wearing a pendant depicting the logo of Arsenal Football Club, who is Nines' favourite team. Morrisson, via Snapchat, then publicly replied that he had gone to Church Road where Nines lived at the time and taught Nines 'game', and that he had also taught Nines to grow and sell cannabis to customers illegally. ^[6]

Nines' first appearance in music was seen locally in his borough on the Running Wid The Streets (also known as RWDS) DVD Volume 2 in 2007. He was featured freestyling at age 17 followed by some freestyles, which are now audio tracks on YouTube; such as "Piff,” “Fuck All the Hoes,” and "Nu Crack.”

On 27 November 2011 Nines released his first single, “AJ’D OUT [JD SHUTDOWN]” and on 25 December 2011 Nines released his second single, "MY HOOD (Turkey Shutdown)”. Nines' third single featuring fellow rappers Fathead and Shotgun, "Way It’s Gunna Go" was released on 18 March 2012. Nines' first appearance on a major platform was his Warm Up Session Freestyle was released on 12 June 2012 on SBTV. On 14 October 2012 Nines released his debut mixtape From Church Road to Hollywood.^[7] Nines released the music video for "CR (Grills Shutdown)" on 28 November 2012 on SBTV.

This was followed by Gone Till November (2013) the following year and titled after his absence from the music scene due to his imprisonment.^[8] Nines gradually saw a rise in popularity through his freestyle videos posted on online rap platform SB.TV.

Nines' online music videos for his third mixtape, Loyal to the Soil (2014), gained significant attention. "Money on My Mind" quickly amassed millions of views on YouTube.^[9] He is part of the collective Ice City Boyz alongside Likkle T, Skrapz, J Styles, Fatz, Big Keyz, Conna "Three Chainz" Haines, Trapstar Toxic, Streetz and others.^[2]

The song "Can't Blame Me" from his fourth mixtape One Foot In (2015) gained 19 million views.^[10] The mixtape One Foot In served as a prequel to his debut album.

The first promotional music video for One Foot Out was "Trapper of the Year", released on 27 August 2016, amassing more than 10 million views.^[11]

In December 2016, Nines signed to British independent label XL Recordings, partnering with them to release his debut studio album One Foot Out (2017).^[12] The release date was announced the day before its release, becoming available for purchase on 10 February 2017.^[13] It entered the UK Albums Chart at number 4, becoming one of the few English rappers to receive a top 5 album in recent years, among Skepta, Giggs and Krept and Konan.

In early April 2018, Nines released his first single since the release of his debut album, "I See You Shining", alongside a music video. It peaked at number 37 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming Nines' first and highest-charting single. It was later revealed to serve as the lead single to Nines' second album, Crop Circle, which was announced three days before release. It was released on 20 April 2018 by XL Recordings.

Crabs in a Bucket was released on 28 August 2020 by Zino Records and Warner Records. It is the follow-up to Nines' second album, Crop Circle (2018). The album features guest appearances from Headie One, Roy Woods, Nafe Smallz, NorthSideBenji, NSG, Tiggs da Author, among others. It reached number one on the UK Albums Chart.

Crop Circle 2 was released on 28 April 2023 through Zino Records and Warner Music UK. It is the direct follow-up to Nines' second album, Crop Circle released in 2018. Nines also wrote and directed a short film by the same name featuring many songs from the album.^[14] Later that year, Nines released the third instalment to his Crop Circle album trilogy, Crop Circle 3, independently through Zino Records on 6 October 2023, along with the self-written and directed short film of the same name.^[15]

On 27 September 2024, Nines released his sixth and final studio album Quit While You're Ahead.^[16] Alongside the album, Nines confirmed the news of his last-ever headline show, which will take place at London’s iconic O2 Arena on 27 November 2024.^[17]

In 2013, Nines was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment for possession of cannabis with intent to supply.^[18][7] According to Nines when he spoke to Chuckie Online in the "JD in the Duffle Bag Podcast", Nines finished his promotional mixtape called "Gone 'Til November" the weekend before his sentencing.^[19] Nines on his twitter page gave his Prison Mailing Address, to which many of his fans sent him fan mail. Upon his release, Nines bought expensive gifts and sent them by mail, and also drove round to some of the fans's houses who wrote fan mail for him whilst Nines was sitting time in Prison. This event was recorded on online music and interview platform SBTV.^[20]

On 12 August 2021, Nines admitted a charge relating to a plot with others to import 28 kilograms of cannabis from Spain and Poland, and admitted a further charge of money laundering related to a £98,000 debt and the street value of the cannabis. He was remanded in custody awaiting sentencing.^[21] On 1 October, he was sentenced to 28 months in HM Prison Wormwood Scrubs.^[22]

On 15 November 2023, Nines was arrested at Heathrow Airport. Two days later at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court he was charged with supply and possession of cannabis, as well as three counts of breaching a serious crime prevention order for allegedly not informing the police of his home address and his second mobile phone and laptop. He did not have to enter a plea, and was bailed.^[23]