Hiphop & Rap in Bristol

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Bristol's Hiphop Scene

Bristol’s Hiphop Explosion in 2022?

Hip-hop is big in Bristol in 2022, but it’s never really gone away. Acts like the High Breed bring meaning back to hip-hop in the Bristol underground scene, which some Bristol rap artists have cited as limiting on their chance of success (as compared to their London hip-hop rivals). The shadow of Bristol trip-hop still looms large, with Massive Attack and Tricky being the defining moment for some (and anything else that doesn’t conform to this is swept aside). Hip-hop nights in Bristol set to redefine this, nights booking international hip-hop artists like Next Up and Raise the Bar (who combine hip-hop and spoken word).

It is often said that graffiti is the written expression of hiphop and a key element in hiphop cuture, however the huge quantity of graffiti and comparatively small amount of hiphop in Bristol suggests otherwise... While Bristol is certainly a key stopover for big rap and hiphop tours with artists like De La Soul and Wu Tang Clan playing Bristol's big venues, smaller hiphop events are less prominent.

Although not exclusively hiphop venues it's worth checking the listings for The LAB club, Mr Wolfs and The Croft. Metropolis has emerged as reliable hiphop venue with past guests including Ugly Duckling, Peanut Butter Wolf and Arrested Development. The Contraband Sessions held at The Golden Lion on Gloucester Road every Wednesday can be a good place to find free, Bristolian hiphop gigs.

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Our recent hiphop recommendations

Sell out warning! Inventive jazz fusion ensemble melding afrofunk, afrobeat, gnawa and rumba into a fire-breathing 9-headed psychedelic beast. Muito Kaballa are a force to be reckoned with FFO: Fela Kuti, Tenderlonious, L'éclair, Surprise Chef, The Pyramids. Muito Kaballa + Plantfood at The Jam Jar.

An ECM jazz legend and one of saxophone’s modern day grand masters, Iain Ballamy’s done stints with Gil Evans, Carla Bley, Hermeto Pascoal, Ronnie Scott and even Bryan Ferry. After a truly inspired local set with Yetii, he’s making a much-heralded return for another night of peerless, intimate post-bop excellence. IAIN BALLAMY at Bristol Music Club.

Kicking off EM2025 with a live quadruple threat ft, DJ Python’s subaqueous reggaeton and a highly-anticipated Bristol debut of expressionist Sufi poeticism from the truly stellar Abdullah Miniawy. For starters: Coby Sey's fresh full band take on avant-punk-dub and Mary Hurrell’s spectral sound art meditations. Only the daring brains at En Masse could dream this one up! Opening night, maximum impact

Emerging from Melbourne's underground led by Australian drummer Ziggy Zeitgeist, ZFEX blend blissful house grooves with cosmic jazz-funk rhythms. Expect psychedelic synths intertwined with lush flutes, intricate percussion and broken beats, set to stun fans of: Jimi Tenor, Yussef Daye and Tenderlonious. The meeting point of improvisation and dance music.

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What our editors say

“Infusing the soulful and mesmerising rhythms of reggae and dubwith the urban pulse of hip hop, Dub Catalyst ignites stages with an electrifying energy that captivates audiences. This dynamic ensemble, boasting a lineup of eleven talented musicians, delivers a fusion of genres that transcends boundaries and stirs the soul.”
From: Dub Catalyst + Ezme Dickens

“Monster Florence is a British hip hop group from Colchester. The group is composed of six members: vocalists Dream Mclean, Alex Osiris and Wallace Rice, formerly known as Regime, and instrumentalists Tom Donovan, Jonny Poole and Cameron Morrell.”
From: Monster Florence

“Stereo MC's are an English hip hop and electronic dance group that formed in Clapham, London, England, in 1985. They had an international top 20 hit with their single "Connected" and a UK top 20 hit with "Step It Up".”
From: Stereo MC's

“Native James melds hip hop, grime, punk, metal & garage; a fusion of spitting bars and angry guitars. From mosh pits and walls of death, he has has continued to morph, as demonstrated on incendiary tracks and knockout shows alongside the likes of letlive. and Skindred plus festivals including Glastonbury, Trees and Burn It Down. Get in ring with us this November!”
From: Native James

“Aileen Kelly : Hailing from the West Country, Kelly sound draws from old soul, blues, and jazz—layered with influences of hip hop, neo-soul, reggae, and Latin/bossa nova. topped off with vivid storytelling and an uncompromising authenticity. Having worked as both a top line writer for other artists. Aileen has gone from strength to strength since her ITM tenure and this tour comes right off the back of her own successful jaunt UK-wide.”
From: In The Making Presents TOUR - ROB.GREEN and Aileen Kelly