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

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

But following personal battles between Stephens and the other half of the duo – Harley Alexander-Sule – Rizzle Kicks took a hiatus that ended up lasting eight years.

“During that time when we were trying to find ourselves, Harley developed crippling stage anxiety and I basically became addicted to drugs,” Stephens said.

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

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

“That pushed me and Harley. But in the last eight years of putting Rizzle Kicks on ice, Harley has given birth to two beautiful children, I’ve gotten sober, and we’re closer than ever.”

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

Describing himself as “young, aspirational and delusional”, Stephens said he would discourage anyone from reaching the same heights without a support system.

“It can be harmful,” he said.

“If I were in a situation where I had a child that was close to a potential lifestyle like mine, I would suggest and make different recommendations than what I received.”

Stephens added: “Every big has a price and we paid it. You don’t feel pain less intensely just because you’re fine.”

He said he was able to move away from his previous lifestyle and explored retreats and therapy for emotional trauma.

In May of this year, the duo announced they were reforming and have since released a new single, Javelin.

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