Diverse and vital: The lowdown on LayFullStop and Manchester’s urban music scene

If ever a scene deserved widespread attention at present it would be Manchester’s urban music scene. Diverse and vital, the resourcefulness and collaborative tendencies of its leaders make it a most engaging and exciting movement, from which artists seem headed toward international acclaim. Embracing a self-made ethos, acts like Levelz and IAMDDB represent the first generation of Manchester artists to fully capitalize on the potential of creative digital output and stepping out of their shadow are artists like those appearing at Band on the Wall on 21st July, collaborators and contemporaries lighting up the Manchester scene with their considered contributions.

Leading the pack is the compelling LayFullStop, a triple threat with soulful melodies, incisive rhymes and a unique artistic aura. A frequent IAMDDB collaborator and member of the collective Roots Raddix, she dropped the ridiculously catchy, horn-laden cut Case Closed on SoundCloud last week and has a collection of genius music videos displaying her unique style. Alongside her, rapper/producers Abnormal Sleepz and HMD, who’ve ties to Big People Music (BPM) and collaborate regularly are prolific artists with mature voices and respect sentiments, while KinKai, who recently dropped the track Ambience ft. LayFullStop, uses rap to explore his route into manhood and ‘encourage those who listen to not be a product of their circumstances by being themselves’.

The sounds of these headstrong and influential artists will appeal to fans of hip-hop on the soulful side – the vibes of Hawk House and Mouse Outfit all the way back to groups of like Digable Planets and Brand Nubian. DJ Konny Kon, Broke’n’English collaborator and now part of Children of Zeus alongside Tyler Daley, is behind the decks when they take to the stage at Band on the Wall later this month, displaying just a small part of the incredible scene growing throughout Manchester. Find out more and register for the free entry event here.