Nines (rapper)

Courtney Freckleton (born 17 January 1990), known professionally as Nines, is a British rapper and songwriter from Harlesden, London. He emerged from the UK hip‑hop scene in the early 2010s, releasing a series of mixtapes before signing with XL Recordings. Nines has released six studio albums, three of which reached the top‑five of the UK Albums Chart, and has been noted for his storytelling lyricism and association with the Ice City Boyz collective.

Early life and background
Freckleton was raised on the Church End estate in northwest London to Jamaican parents. He grew up in a neighbourhood often referenced in his music and experienced the loss of his older brother Wayne in 2008. His early exposure to the local rap scene led to freestyling appearances on the “Running Wid The Streets” DVD series at age 17.

Career

2007–2014: Mixtapes and underground rise
Nines’ first recorded appearance was on the “Running Wid The Streets” DVD (2007). He released several mixtapes, including From Church Road to Hollywood (2012), Gone Till November (2013), and Loyal to the Soil (2014). Tracks such as “Money on My Mind” gained substantial YouTube views, helping him build a grassroots following.

2015–2017: Breakthrough and debut album
The mixtape One Foot In (2015) featured the popular track “Can’t Blame Me”. In December 2016, Nines signed to XL Recordings and released his debut studio album One Foot Out (February 2017). The album entered the UK Albums Chart at number 4, marking him as one of the few English rappers to achieve a top‑five debut in the decade.

2018–present: Continued commercial success
Nines’ second album Crop Circle (April 2018) peaked at number 5 in the UK. His third album Crabs in a Bucket (August 2020) reached number 1, becoming his first chart‑topping release. The Crop Circle trilogy continued with Crop Circle 2 (April 2023) and Crop Circle 3 (October 2023), both peaking at number 2. In September 2024 he announced his final studio album, Quit While You’re Ahead, which entered the chart at number 4.

Collective affiliation
Throughout his career, Nines has been a member of the Ice City Boyz, a London‑based rap collective that includes artists such as Likkle T, Skrapz, and J Styles.

Legal issues
Nines has faced multiple drug‑related convictions. In 2013 he received an 18‑month sentence for possession of cannabis with intent to supply. In August 2021 he was sentenced to 28 months for a cannabis importation plot and related money‑laundering charges. Subsequent arrests in 2023 and 2024 led to further charges of cannabis supply and breach of a Serious Crime Prevention Order; in September 2025 he pleaded guilty and received a 37‑month sentence, of which a portion was credited for time already served.

Philanthropy
Freckleton has organized charitable events, notably distributing clothing to children in 2011 and providing free Christmas turkeys to the public in 2011.

Discography (selected studio albums)

References

• “Nines (rapper)”. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
• Official chart data, Official Charts Company.
• Various news outlets reporting on legal proceedings (e.g., The Shadeborough, HipHopHero).