The lowdown on Inner City Waves #2

After an uplifting night of urban music from Manchester-based acts including Layfullstop and Abnormal Sleepz on 21st July, we’re excited to bring you the lowdown on Inner City Waves #2, a second night showcasing some of Manchester’s premiere young rap artists, in the form a free entry show.

Taking place on Friday 11th August, the night will feature a headline set from Cul Dé Sac’s Berry Blacc and spots from wordsmiths J Chambers, Blind MIC, Tobi Sunmola plus night-long musical sustenance from Better Days DJs.

If the first night’s line-up was enough to affirm your faith in the City’s rap scene, then the second should only reinforce it further. A producer and MC raised on dancehall and lovers rock, it’s no surprise that Berry Blacc’s flow and beats should be as rhythmic and heartfelt as they are. A prolific artist who works with Cul Dé Sac and Tru Thoughts producer Werkha among others, he delivers mature rhymes in his distinctive barritone, switching effortlessly between energetic, cypher-ready bars and mellower, more contemplative verses. His work ethic and natural talent have us expecting big things from the big man as he approaches a solo release later in the year.

Chambers has launched his last two solo releases at Band on the Wall and each time it has been inspiring to see the humble and dedicated wordsmith soaking up the love and respect that the crowd has afforded him. Another of the scene’s tireless collaborators, he cares about the plight of his fellow artists and invited several on stage with him during the pre-release party of his latest record, Moment of Silence II: The Road to Perdition. Pensive and intricate; his lyrics lay bare thoughts and emotions that many rappers would fear to share and in doing so harness a power that’s raw and truthful. Having supported some of the world’s biggest hip-hop artists on their trips to the rainy city; acts like Dead Prez and Roots Manuva, we’re sure his experience has him set for a strong year in music.

Blind MIC’s route into music was via blues guitar, something which you hear flavours of in his recent Skrrt Cobain production OUT, but that’s just one string to the man’s bow. A talented rapper and one-third of Room 2 records trio Free Wize Men, his creativity is channelled into their classic hip-hop sound, Lychee’s laid back RnB-infused sound and the clinical drill stylings of Budget Boyz.

Tobi Sunmola’s gutteral hook on Run Free is an immediate indication that he’s offering you something fresh and interesting. A Mancunian artist originating from Nigeria, he was described as ‘one of the most exciting and unique young recording artists to emerge from the North West’ by NG magazine and on his Childhood Culture EP, he demonstrates a clear and uncompromising artistic vision.

Sign up for free entry for Inner City Waves #2 here.