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
Is 395 Bristol's new rap HQ? Dive in to find out …. After props from Novelist aged just 13, Yung SBK’s meteoric rise somehow hasn’t tainted his humble realness. His trap-leaning introspection keeps levelling up and up and up - fans of JME, Playboi Carti, Loyle Carner, Brockhampton, Knucks don't you dare miss this!
SBK at 395.
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.
Afrobeat, jazz, soul, hip hop, samba, and rumba
Sell out warning! Sonic ritualism and spiritual liberation from psychedelic funk, hip-hop and Afro-punk luminaries BCUC.
South African power ensemble weave psychedelic funk, hip hop consciousness and a punk rock attitude.
Bristol rap’s in rude health and Kwazi’s here to prove it. Leading a swarm of local talent huddling around his new EP, all trapstar 808s, anime-toting lyrics and laidback flow FFO: Novelist, Dave, Jay Prince, BENJI.
An immersive rap event with art, projections, light shows and Serious skankin'
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What our editors say
“R.A.P. Ferreira fka milo aka scallops hotel is an mc, producer and theorist working in the Black arts tradition commonly categorized as rap. Having founded the label ruby yacht in 2015 and since releasing all of his music through this channel, Ferreira has earned a sizable following within independent hip hop by rigorous, constant touring and an elevated, explorational style of performance. He is known for an uncompromised, utopic flow that speaks directly to the root of the listener.”
From: R.A.P. Ferreira + AJ Suede + G's
“Consisting of hip hop duo Vast Aire and Double A.B accompanied by DJ Cip-One, Harlem, New York-based rap outfit Cannibal Ox initially made waves with their 2001 debut The Cold Vein, which received critical acclaim for its pivotal role as a major turning point in hip-hop production, as well as the duo’s outstanding vocal performances and lyrical prowess.”
From: The Cold Vein European Tour
“Since the late 1970s @adamsonbarry has carved out his own idiosyncratic path in music, composing, photography and film-making. Emerging from the punk/ post punk scene on bass guitar, first with Magazine and then as a founding member of Nick Cave’s Bad Seeds, he has since amassed a huge solo music & soundtrack oeuvre spanning decadent big band jazz, sinuous funk, hip hop grooves, Sixties thriller themes, classic strings, rock, trip-hop and soulful gospel”
From: Barry Adamson
“In the seaside resort of Brighton, Sophie Bond, also known as IYAMAH (pronounced i-yam-ah), grew up surrounded by the rhythms of reggae music and African drumming. She picked up a piano and began creating songs, but she kept them as a form of journaling for her personal self-expression. She didn't develop a love for Neo-Soul and hip hop until she began taking vocal classes in school, presenting solo renditions of songs by strong female musicians like Whitney Houston, Etta James and Aretha Franklin, along with performers like Lauryn Hill and Erykah Badu.”
From: IYAMAH + guests
“Since his arrival onto the underground hip hop scene, 20 year old Danny Chaska has been bringing a fresh new sound onto the scene with his distinctive jazz-filled instrumentals and laid-back rapping style. This can be heard through his first album ‘Vicetown’ which was created alongside fellow collaborator and friend Hal Shallo. Despite this being their first album, the project contains some of Danny’s most popular work to date with songs such as ‘Madrid’ amassing over 3.5 million streams on spotify. In addition, Chaska is a multi-instrumentalist, playing drums, guitar, bass and piano all of which regularly feature in his music.”
From: A Night of Neo-Soul & Jazzy Rap