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

An intense collaboration between veterans of the Swiss noise underground Tober and Rémy Sax. 80s synth sludge, dark jazz and breakcore distortion boil over in a heady experimental electropop stew – think Liars meets Venetian Snares meets Animal Collective and then some. IMMERSIVE AND EXPERIMENTAL EVENING FROM SWISS GROUP - WOHUNG DER LOVE & SUPPORT FROM REDH3RRING

The indomitable Chai Wallahs score an end-of-season special full of the usual unusual turntablist melting pot antics. With K.O.G’s electrifying afrobeat, hiphop and high-life grooves, alongside revolving door collective CONN3CT’s neo-soul / afro-jazz meltdown and Jamu’s live rap pass-the-mic spectacular. Golden era diggers and festival freaks: this is your New Year’s ticket. KOG, Jamu Ft. All Star Crew, Conn3ct Ft. Aziza Jaye, Amy True & MĀDŁY, DJ Hiphoppapotamus & Selecta Si Chai

Long live BASE! There’s something for everyone at this stacked PWYC party to celebrate 30 years of the radical community space. Balkan tek meets squat punk, folk-rap, steppers, dub, 160 latincore, jungle, dnb, a one-man klezmer show and much more…take your pick! Celebrate 30 years of Bristol's anarchist social centre

Cuculi returns with pianist-composer Laurie Torres’ uniformly gorgeous post-minimalist piano pieces, shoulder-to-shoulder with multi-instrumentalist James Gow’s flickering cello, bass, and brass shapes. Seductive, intimate and mysterious FFO: Harold Budd, Duval Timothy, Ben Seretan. Subtle lo-fi piano experimentations from acclaimed Canadian artist

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What our editors say

“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

“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

“DUB CATALYST 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 + Ez 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

“Previously called Seed Sessions, this is now our Lets Talk supported hip hop/jazz fusion jam on the last Monday of every month! Let's Talk/Seed Sessions are a fantastic charity for male musicians providing musical mentorship and counselling, come along, jam out or just show your support!”
From: Let's Talk Jam