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! Like your favourite Madlib cuts come to life, Surprise Chef feel like you're trailing the most epic crate digging session ever. Marrying 70s funkxploitation grooves with instrumental stoner soul and dusky boombap kicks, they’re flooding the global consciousness with classic fills beamed from another era. Highly unmissable FFO: Khruangbin, 30/70, David Axelrod, Dilla, BadBadNotGood. Surprise Chef + Support at The Lantern.

Hard AF link-up between Bristol’s freshest purveyors of post-club and the new Soundcloud rap digicore kids on the block. Expect blown-out emo-trap, witch-house and hyperpop live and direct from MDM, whilst Realist Alive hosts Overshine’s gleeful guaracha gabber noise arsenal + swaggering baile from DJ veneno pra rato. Essential FFO: Drain Gang, Varg2TM, KAVARI, Ship Sket. Rit, Farella, Overshine & more at KIT FORM.

Looking for Glastonbury-esque feels at only 1,000 capacity + just a 30 minute drive from Bristol? Welcome to Inglefest. An intimate farmhouse location with a firm musical focus on the South West, including adorable emo-folk-punk trio Toodles & The Hectic Pity, Pocket Sun’s impossibly dreamy synth-pop, beloved Bristol boom-bap from The Scribes + oh so much more. Inglefest’s just bursting at the seams with rnb, punk, jazz and folk loveliness. Inglefest returns to Oxwick Farm from the 15th - 17th August 2025!

Pioneering globe-trotting sonics crafted from thundering Senegalese griot talking-drum polyrhythms and light dub-techno flourishes from the Basic Channel originator. Hypnotic, intoxicating afro-futurist marvels FFO: Nihiloxica, Rhythm & Sound, Chouk Bwa & the Ångströmers, Konono Nº1, Shangaan Electro. Sabar drumming, floating vocal arrangements from one of the best bands we've seen plus Mark Ernestus' (Basic Channel / Hard Wax) dubbing wizardry make for the deadliest grooves of resonant, full-body ritualism.

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What our editors say

“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

“Quinton Barnes is a relentlessly ambitious Montreal-based artist exploring the edges of Canada’s music scene. Since 2018, he’s built a unique sound, writing, rapping, singing, producing, mixing, and mastering his own work across a prolific discography, pushing the boundaries of hip hop, R&B, hyperpop, footwork and experimental music.”
From: Quinton Barnes with The Black Noise Ensemble

“GARETH WILLIAMS style encompasses a broad spectrum from the muscularity of McCoy Tyner to the harmonic genius and subtlety of Bill Evans incorporating the blues and his Welsh church music roots. A fiery and creative player, his remarkable talent has been seen with an impressive array of top level artists, from jazz/hip hop band "Us3" through to internationally-renowned jazz musicians such as Joe Lovano, George Coleman, James Moody, Art Farmer, Dave Liebman, Iain Ballamy, Jim Mullen, Claire Martin and he was a stalwart of all Pee Wee Ellis' Funk Assemblies.”
From: IAIN BALLAMY

“Since then they have gone from strength to strength, bringing their signature jazz-fusion sound and crazy energy to venues across the North of England. Brought together over their shared love of jazz, funk, hip hop, soul and afrobeat; the band weave energetic grooves with introspective melodies inspired by a broad palette of sounds.”
From: We Hate Sharkman

“Come and enjoy a sober experience with some of the best hip hop/trip hop music to come out of Bristol. Hosted by Born and bred Bristolian musician and co founder of the “properjob presents” brand Blakemore.”
From: Sober Hip Hop Night at Trinity