Rizzle Kicks and Olly Murs release Heart Skips a Beat

Rappers explain their link to the 'best contestant to come out of X Factor'

Rizzle Kicks have admitted their forthcoming single with X Factor's Olly Murs may appear like an "odd collaboration".

But the Brighton rappers say Heart Skips A Beat is not a tactical move.

Rizzle Kick's Harley said the 2009 reality TV runner-up, and new Xtra Factor host, was "a bit of a lad".

"He was definitely the best contestant to come out of X Factor. When we met him he was a seriously nice down to earth guy," he added.

"That's what sealed the deal for us to do the song. When someone approached us about a possible collaboration we're not going to be closed off to stuff like that.

"Olly is very successful himself and I think it'd be an opportunity for us."

Old skool

Jordan said people were being "open-minded" about them working together.

Rizzle Kicks have known each other from the age of three, through family links to the music business, and both admire De La Soul and The Fugees from the 1980s and early 1990s.

The X Factor's Olly Murs teams up with hip hop's Rizzle Kicks

Jordan explained how they got together: "We coincidently moved to Brighton when we were about 10. When we got a little bit older everyone at my school didn't like me so I ended up hanging out with his mates.

"We got a bit closer and we both ended up going to the same college. I was rapping by myself and thought, 'This needs a bit more of an edge to it.'

"At the time Harley could sing but didn't want to be a singer. There was a vibe missing and I think it was the presence of a singer.

"We met and had this love for old skool hip hop. It worked."

They have had two singles released and are working on their first album, which could be out in October, as well as going on tour with Professor Green.