On Stupid Kids, the South London artist reclaims the words once used against him, turning them into something loud, defiant and unexpectedly tender. The EP, produced by heavyweights Dan Carey and Julian Bunetta, is rooted in being misunderstood but no longer held back by it. Now more open than ever about his experiences, Master Peace is reframing what once felt isolating into something powerful. At a time when cultural narratives around young men are increasingly shaped by the noise of the manosphere, voices like his feel necessary. Open, self-aware and emotionally honest, Peace offers an alternative, one that embraces vulnerability without losing its edge.

In addition to the music, Peace has just started discussing his struggles with autism and ADHD in an honest manner for the first time. He considers these experiences in his new Instagram series, “Peace Of Mind,” which has proven to be a conversation that has struck a deep chord with others going through similar circumstances. His recent “Peace McKenna” fan event sold out, attracted 300 new fans, and raised money for Nordoff and Robbins, a music therapy charity, demonstrating that this activism is ongoing offline. We caught up with Master Peace to talk about reclamation, disruption and making music for the ones that felt written off.

Stupid Kids feels like both a middle finger and a love letter. When you say “stupid,” is it satire, reclamation, or revenge?
It’s definitely a reclamation

You’ve described the EP as a record about being misunderstood. Do you feel like you’re finally being understood now, or have you just become more comfortable being misread?
I think a bit of both, which I’m so okay with. I think people have always misunderstood me my whole life, so it doesn’t make a difference now, but I think I can shed some light on it

Growing up between grime, indie discos, and FIFA soundtracks, did you always know you were building your own genre, or did it feel more like survival?
I always knew I was building my own swag, like I knew people were gonna catch on at some point, but I didn’t know when that was gonna happen. But slowly and surely the sound and the feeling started coming together, and I feel I owe a big thanks to my producers at Big Family, they helped me be comfortable with being myself

“There’s No More Underground” is a brutal title. Is that a critique of the industry, nostalgia talking, or a challenge to create something new?
I’ve always been a disrupter and I knew that song was gonna disrupt/ make people think about the message and the angle I was coming from. It’s a real issue in the industry of independent venues closing down, and I feel more artists should talk about it.

You’ve started speaking openly about autism and ADHD through Peace Of Mind. How has understanding your neurodiversity changed the way you create and the way you perform on stage?
I’ve used it as a superpower more than anything and embraced the fact that my mind works differently from everyone else, which helps me lean into that, especially when I’m writing and also on stage, I just let it all go on there

“My Guitar” leans into indie sleaze chaos. Are you romanticising that era, or rewriting it for kids who never got to live it?
I would say I’m rewriting it for the kids that never experienced it because it was a pivotal moment in music history and when I had tapped in to it couple years ago pre brat and the revival, people were definitely intrigued and slowly but surely learning about it the brat made it popular which definitely helped artist like me out to share more of a story and feel like it’s being seeing on a global scale

Fashion-wise, you’ve always felt like someone with one foot in Camden and the other in a South London rave. Are there any designers that you naturally gravitate to?
Right now I’ve been working with a designer called Zabala, especially for this new ep, and his style and swag really complements my look and my stupid kids feel of how I used to dress back in my childhood, style has always been unique to me cause I’m always chopping and changing and making things my own

If Stupid Kids was a capsule wardrobe, what would be in it?
3 stripes, astroturf, vests, fingerless gloves, bomber jacket.

You’ve supported Franz Ferdinand, Bastille, and Duckwrth; all three have very different energies. What did you steal from each of them?
I’d say I learnt a lot from all of them, they are artist I really look up to, especially Franz and Bastille cause they are bands I grew up on. I think crowd control and stage presence, which they execute very well.

You’ve said this EP is for the kids who were written off. Have you met those kids? Who are they?
Just the misfits, the kids who walk home slowly after school, the kids wishing for the days to end quicker cause they can’t cope with the reality of school and life and all the trials and tribulations that come with it, and act out cause of feeling misunderstood.

Let’s have some fun. What’s the most “stupid kid” thing you still do?
Drinking! It’s not good for your health!

Do you have a go-to karaoke song?
Lady in Red!

Who do you listen to on full blast when you are all alone?
Currently Lil Peep Beamer boy

Finally, you have some exciting dates coming up, including Paris! Do you have a favourite city, and what are you looking forward to in 2026?
I’d say Lisbon cause all my friends are coming out to see the show, which will be fun!

Photography by Jack Alexander in exclusive with Fucking Young!