Welcome to ‘Don’t Hate the Player, Love the Game’ – a new content series from VERSUS and EE that challenges all football fans to unite against hate. We want to build a culture of proud supporters who are worthy of wearing their national team’s shirt. To join us, you can visit the EE Proud Supporter hub to learn more.

Kamakaze has one of the most inspiring stories in all of pro football. Also known as Matthew Robinson, he’s lived out two childhood dreams by making it as a pro baller and rap artist in perfect balance.

On pitch, Robinson has made nearly 400 career appearances at League Two and National League level for clubs including Luton Town and Dagenham & Redbridge. In the studio, he’s racked up tens of millions of streams and became the only person to feature on EA SPORTS FC as both an in-game player and soundtrack artist.

While the similarities in football and music are well documented at this point – two fields of excellence and expression that require big personalities on a big stage – something often overlooked is how both crafts are under the scrutiny of intense fandom. One slip up, on the ball or on the mic, can result in online abuse and ridicule rarely seen in other walks of life.

Kamakaze has partnered with VERSUS and EE to back the ‘EE Proud Supporter’ programme – a bold new campaign that wants to create a football culture that’s free from hate. EE want to ensure every fan who wears their team’s shirt does so with pride.

After featuring in a new film – ‘Don’t Hate the Player, Love the Game’ – Kamakaze spoke with VERSUS about his own experiences of supporting England, how he’s been affected by online abuse, and why football needs to work harder to create an environment that’s comfortable for fans of all backgrounds.

VERSUS: What is your name and what do you do?

Kamakaze: I'm Kamakaze – also known as Matthew Robinson. I’m a UK rapper and grime MC, and I’ve also played professional football at National League level for the past 12 years. I’ve made almost 400 career appearances for clubs including Luton, Grimsby, Dagenham & Redbridge, and Boreham Wood. I’m the only person in history to have featured on EA SPORTS FC as both an in-game player and soundtrack artist.

What are your earliest memories of international football?

My earliest memories of international football are watching the tournament in 1998 on a tiny TV in a caravan in Cornwall, I think. I don’t remember too much about the games, but I know one of our closest family friends was supporting France in that final.

What does supporting your country mean to you?

I think for me, it's an excuse to be with people you love and share an intense experience. I think it does the same to a wider spectrum of people, too: the gathering, the unison, the noise, the togetherness. That’s what international football has always been about to me. It can bring people together across divides in a way that club football can’t. I’ve got strong memories of the most recent Euros when England got to the final, and it felt like everyone was on a journey together.

Do you identify with the culture that comes from supporting your national team?

‍It depends on the culture you’re talking about. If you mean relentless drinking and throwing beer about the place, definitely not. But I’ll buy a shirt and wear it frequently during the tournament. I’ll make sure I’m watching it somewhere that’s intune with my values with my people, for sure.

What aspects of football fan culture are you most proud of?

Like I said before, I think it is the togetherness we see. I wish we could make it last longer than the couple of weeks the tournament goes on for, though. We see all walks of life and cultures embrace their nationalities under the banner of an England shirt, it’s a beautiful thing.

What aspects of football fan culture do you find the most troubling?

The drinking. I think the scepticism of a World Cup being held in a Islamic country – where drinking would be minimised – was an eye opener. I think it showed what people's priorities were but at the same time, I think the evidence showed it was a good experience for the fans. There are other elements that have unfortunately become synonymous with England fans and they are all disgusting to be honest. 

The racism and the abuse of players is something we've become used to, which is wrong, but I don't think that represents England fans as a whole. It represents the racist cowards who take part. It's one of those ‘hang your head in shame’ moments when you discuss or tell people who support other countries that you are in fact supporting England. 

Do you think pro players are the subject of too much criticism and abuse?

Yes, I think social media has elevated the levels because people can move in the shadows and be anonymous. Players have always been scrutinised in England and all over the world. It comes with the job title unfortunately. I've received online abuse and messages before, nothing as serious as racism, but nonetheless these people still take time out of their day to find you and taunt you. It's sad. I've seen what players get in their inbox and the amount of it is just devastating. The thing I think people fail to realise is the passion and love the players have for their clubs, countries and the game itself. It's not like other jobs where you're not bothered, so these messages resonate deeper for players. We care, so it hurts.

What do you like most about this generation of players?

The togetherness. They are all different but seem far more united than other groups of players, there's no cliques. They have synergy, they trust each other, and back each other. That’s historically been rare to find in football, to be honest. They feel way more relatable, that's probably social media too. They're just a bunch of people who want to make the best lives possible for themselves and their loved ones, I think everyone can relate to that.

Why is it important for football to be a tolerant and inclusive space for players and fans?

I think having public spaces where anyone can feel safe and calm is what's most important to enjoying the game we love. Whether it's a pub, cinema, town hall, school assembly – wherever it is – people should be able to enjoy the game and not made to feel like they have to partake in elements of the culture that don't suit them. 

What would your message be to any players or fans who are on the receiving end of abuse this summer?

Report it. Do your best to see that the cowards behind the message have to face up to their words. If needs be, jump off social media. Most importantly though, I'd say trust in yourself what you've achieved to get to this point. It’s something words can't take away from you. It's your life's work, but life is never defined by a person’s work. One mistake never made a half, one half never made a game, one game never made a season, one season never made a career, and a career never made a life. 

EE's proud supporter programme aims to educate fans and give people the tools to deal with various types of hate. How important is this kind of initiative in making a change in football?

The reason these initiatives are so important is because lack of education is what leads to the kind of ignorance that causes fans to make such disgusting comments. The more resources they have to learn the better, the result is less abuse from fans to other fans and towards players it’s definitely a worthwhile scheme.

‍EE are committed to bringing people together to stand against hate in football with their ‘Proud Supporter’ programme. Visit the EE Proud Supporter hub to learn more.