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! Watching, hearing and feeling the greatest British jazzer of a generation climb creative peak after peak has been one of the true honours of 2020s existence. Of The Earth is something else from Shabaka; his fresh mastery of flutes flirts with raps, beats and a prodigal return to the sax. ‘Unmissable’ just doesn’t cut it – this is a supreme fusion of musical history and a tantalising map for what lies ahead. A rare chance to see a titan of the UK Jazz and wider international scene in a small venue. A new album, new experiments, new live show and a return to the Sax.

Four Owls / High Focus / all-round UK rap icon in the building! One of the true masters of introspective boom-bap conjures last year’s epic linkup with Vic Grimes in the flesh: organ vamps, piano jazz loops and late night soul sirens all swirling around Verb T’s signature gymnastic flow. Unmissable downbeat delights FFO: Jehst, The Mouse Outfit, Black Josh, DJ Premier, Braintax. Hip-Hop Show with the iconic Verb T

No chance your family grooves as hard as TC’s! If Fela Kuti lived long enough to see turntablism, jungle, UK rap and dancehall, then Egypt 80 woulda sounded a lil something like this fiery 10-headed afro-fusion beast. Disciples of Snazzback, ONIPA, Ezra Collective and The Roots need to welcome their surrogate relatives with open, waving arms (and flailing feet). 9-piece jazz collective whose music celebrates the coming together of cultures, and the unity that music can provide for everyone. Drawing on afrobeat, broken beat, jungle, jazz and grime influences

Sell out warning! 2019, Crofters Rights, Armand Hammer tore our tiny minds apart, then disappeared into the cloud. We’re still not ready for the pass-the-mic messages of pre-apocalypse tension, the soul-grinding bars of zeitgeist-baiting worldplay, a century of blues distilled in a single loop. Two of the century’s greatest in an untouchable rap communion FFO: Quelle Chris, Def Jux, Ka, Mobb Deep, Pink Siifu. ARMAND HAMMER live at Trinity Centre, Bristol.

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What our editors say

“DEADPUNK PRESENTS: CODEFENDANTS (Los Angeles, USA) After storming Exchange with Melvinator, Codefendants are back in Bristol this October. Expect a riotous night from the genre-smashing punk collective who blend alternative, hip hop and rock to create a sound they call Crimewave. Tickets sold by Strange Brew on behalf of the promoter, Deadpunk. All ticket revenue belongs to the promoter.”
From: Codefendants

“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

“Joined by Liam O'Connell and Owen O'Neill CHOC ICE is an improv Trio from Bristol that blend the volume and intensity of shoegaze and post rock with the grounded grooves of funk and hip hop Free Entry”
From: CHOC ICE

“Kickstart your weekend with an eclectic mix of bootleg tunes and undiscovered gems. Guiding you through the evening will be some of the city's finest disc jockeys, covering genres such as UK garage, house, disco, soul and hip hop. THIS WEEK: SAFIYE B2B BEAVS Free entry, music from 9pm.”
From: SAFIYE B2B BEAVS

“Kickstart your weekend with an eclectic mix of bootleg tunes and undiscovered gems. Guiding you through the evening will be some of the city's finest disc jockeys, covering genres such as UK garage, house, disco, soul and hip hop. THIS WEEK: DT COLEMAN B2B DRE Free entry, music from 9pm.”
From: DT COLEMAN B2B DRE