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

Celebrate IWD with a Trinity triple bill of local baddies! RED’s infectious, vocal-powered dance-pop meets sultry R&B / trap-hop from Badliana and Moxie Dolls’ shredding punk-rock anthems at this genre-expansive showcase of Bristol’s grassroots wellspring. Celebrating women/NB in music at The Trinity Centre.

Visceral, knotty free jazz trio taking whistle-stop tours through modal Coltrane blasts, John Zorn cinematic downtown skronk and even a nod to the blue-eyed grunge angel Kurt Cobain. Exemplary jazz chops with a punk attitude and Discus Music seal of approval, this is indeed a rare one FFO: Led Bib, Sons of Kemet, Lounge Lizards, The Thing. Inspired by a Jean-Michel Basquiat painting The Exu produce layered, intense, creative & beautiful, thought provoking, genre fluid improvised music. Absolutely brilliant.

Another high-grade Schwetty collision of cult outsider muzack, as CV Vision’s hyperactive braindumps of warped kosmiche pop meets in the hypnagogic hinterlands with the glossy DIY croon of post-indie paradox Gyeongsu. Join them, ye acolytes of: Soft Machine, Panda Bear, Mk.gee, Dean Blunt, ML Buch, Woo. 2x Bristol debuts of primo-Euro experimentalist Rock-Pop! Germany's CV Vision perform their fusion of acid rock, psych soul, library funk and new wave oddities in full band mode. Plus France's Gyeongsu present their their languid, experimental indie - similar to Dean Blunt, Mark William Lewis, Voice Actor etc but with even more pristine hooks. Essential!

Outsider pop purveyor Dean Rodney Jr returns to town with his rootin’ tootin’ Cowboy band, serving the Brew a gold-clad spectacle of wonky disco funk and deadpan absurdism – in dreeeamy company with the disquieting avant-jazz of Illegal Data’s Zoee. FFO: Gary Wilson, early Ariel Pink, Shopping, Mermaid Chunky, Wendy Miasma. A double bill of ultra-fun and colourful wonky-pop. Dean Rodney Jr & the Cowboys blend infectious disco-pop grooves, surreal lyrics, and visionary world-building often focused on food and the body. know for their fun live performances where Dean wears a golden suit. Plus bubblegum oddball Zoee who writes ‘personal pop for people who don’t fit in’

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What our editors say

“For anyone coming on their own we have built up an amazing community of followers. Check our Facebook pages for info on how to meet up with other Hilltop Mafia, Viktorians & Renegades - or just reach out to Knox & Viktus. Anyone and everyone is welcome - hip hop is about community and if you want to be uplifted and feel apart of a true grassroots movement then come out and join us!!”
From: Knox Hill

“Founded in 2021 by Norwich-based brothers Jonny Silver (guitar/vox) and Kenny Pleasures (drums/vox), PleasureInc. have consistently gone out of their way to make music you can’t quite put your finger on. You’ll find them at the point where British indie sleaze collides with American hip hop, sweeping up the offshoot shards of punk, funk and dance, and injecting it all with a spirit born from skateboarding and 90s wrestling. Rebellious, playful and energetic; their output feels akin to Beastie Boys, Gorillaz and Tyler, The Creator. Call it sleaze-pop. Call it crunch-core. Call it sh*t-that-make-ya-mumma-cry. Do not put your finger on it.”
From: Pleasureinc

“A classic in the UK hip hop canon and a seminal High Focus Records release, Dirty Dike’s second album catapulted his unique insights and unapologetic energies across audiences worldwide when it landed back in the Spring of 2011.”
From: Dirty Dike - 15 Years of ‘Constant Dikester' LP

“Amber Mark is an American singer, songwriter, and producer. Her multifaceted style implements sounds from hip hop, contemporary R&B, soul, and bossa nova. She released her first album, 3:33am, in May 2017, followed by her EP Conexão in 2018. Her second album, Three Dimensions Deep, was released in January 2022.”
From: Amber Mark

“Dulcie, DJ playing around Bristol at events like Bristol Northern Soul Club is at Barrelhouse BS8 every other Wednesday starting 18th February. Mixing funk, disco, northern soul, latin and hip hop on vinyl for everyone to enjoy midweek. Have a drink and socialise with cool music on hump day.”
From: Dulcie @ Barrelhouse