A mural honouring The Prodigy’s late frontman Keith Flint has been unveiled in Hackney, London.
Produced by street artist Akse, the mural has been officially revealed today (September 10) to mark this year’s World Suicide Prevention Day. The artist worked on the project in partnership with the music and mental wellbeing festival Headstock, with the mural depicting Flint alongside the helpline number for mental health charity Shout 85258, which offers free, 24/7 support.
The mural, which you can see above, can be found on the side of the Hackney Co-operative complex at 62 Beechwood Road, less than 100 yards from the site of the old Four Aces Club on Dalston Lane where The Prodigy played their first ever gig in 1991. It was funded by a Headstock-led Crowdfunder campaign, which raised over £10,650.
Speaking about the mural, The Prodigy’s Liam Howlett said: "Respect to everyone for coming together to make this happen for a cause so close to us. Akse has done Keef proud."
Headstock founder Atheer Al-Salim added: "Keith Flint was the original firestarter. He was a true trailblazer in electronic music, and I was lucky enough to see him perform with The Prodigy on a number of occasions.
"Off-stage, Keith struggled with his mental health, and he talked candidly about his ‘dark periods’. Tragically, this culminated in him taking his own life. We’ve created this mural to help remember Keith and ensure that his flame continues to burn brightly – but also to raise awareness of Shout 85258, and the incredible 24/7 text support service it provides.
"We hope that the mural will help anyone that sees it know that confidential support is just a text message away."
Keith Flint died in March 2019, aged 49. It was subsequently confirmed that he took his own life.
In the UK, Samaritans can be contacted here or you can call on 116 123. Other suicide helplines around the world can be found here.
