Tag: hip hop

Emerging Scottish hip hop artists to listen out for this December

Scottish hip hop record label, Habibi Records, reveals latest track releases

Scottish hip hop label, Habibi Records, has revealed three new track releases from the country’s most promising artists. Formed in April this year by CTRL, Do Rego and Mezzo, Habibi Records aims to provide a platform for the best emerging talent here in Scotland.

‘We’re all about supporting aspiring, hungry, lyrically-driven rappers’, says CTRL, and the list of tracks set to be released in December 2021 reflects the diversity of skills, styles and flair of their artists. 

DECEMBER 2021 RELEASES

Artists: Armzy x CTRL 

Track Title: HeadGone 

About the track: A collab track featuring CTRL and Armzy, the track includes a thoughtful in-depth verse from Armzy and light playful rhymes from CTRL, layered over a dreamy slow-paced hip-hop track produced by Do Rego, mixed and mastered by Leftmind.

Release Date: 9.12.21

Artists: Driss x CTRL x Jaad

Track Title: Al Pacino

About the track: An aggressive drill multi-language track, with the hook themed around the actor, Al Pacino. Featuring three up and coming Scottish rappers; Driss, CTRL and Jaad. Produced by Do Rego, mixed by Jaad, and mastered by Leftmind.

Release Date: 23.12.21

Artists: Bakersville ft Joey Locke 

Track Title: Beside You 

About the track: A catchy pop love song with an early Calvin Harris vibe. Featuring gorgeous vocals from Joey Locke and a creative video, Bakersville has produced a new wave set hit to captivate listeners. 

Release Date: 30.12.21

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

CTRL
Multi-genre rapper, honest in his lyricism and keen to impress with his rap ability. His unique flow, speed, tone, minimum use of profanity, and clever way with words make him one to watch.

Driss
Adding a fresh new edge to UK drill music, Driss is a 22-year-old Greek with a passion for the ever-growing sub-genre. With a full unreleased catalogue of music, Driss is poised to make waves in the industry.

Jaad


An impressive rapper with a distinctive sound, spreading his vibe across the Scottish rap scene with multiple track releases and features.

Armzy


Sudanese heritage, Oxford born but Scottish living rapper Armzy is a versatile and skilled rapper with a highly seductive voice.

Bakersville
A quiet and mystical producer, this emerging talent started out making hits in his bedroom right here in Scotland.

Joey Locke


A singer songwriter, model and actor from Scotland, Joey Locke is a young, talented, and passionate artist set for big things.

To find out more, follow @habibirecords_ on Instagram and Habibi Records on YouTube

Dead right: Edinburgh trio Young Fathers win Mercury Prize

Young FathersExperimental Edinburgh hip-hop trio Young Fathers have scooped this year’s Mercury music prize.

The band, described as a  ‘Liberian/Nigerian/Scottish psychedelic hip-hop electro boy band’, saw off competition from R&B artist FKA Twigs, former Blur frontman Damon Albarn’s first solo album and singer/ poet Kate Tempest to win the prestigious music prize for their album, Dead.

They formed in 2008, clocked up appearances at numerous festivals and have been described as a ‘psychedelic hip hop boy band’. The trio first met at an under-16s hip-hop night and have developed a reputation for making a unique blend of music, utilising diverse influences that reflect their different backgrounds.

Alloysius Massaquoi is from Liberia and Scots-born Kayus Bankole has Nigerian parents, while Graham ‘G’ Hastings’ origins are closer to home – he comes from Drylaw!

The winner of the £20,000 prize was announced by DJ Nick Grimshaw at north London’s Roundhouse.

Accepting the award, Alloysious Massaquoi said: “”We go out and do what we do. Thank you, we love you, we love you all.”

Graham ‘G’ Hastings told reporters:  “We’ll take it in our stride. We always wanted to make something bigger than the city we were living in.””

The Young Fathers album Dead was acclaimed by judges as ‘a startlingly original take on hip-hop. Brimming with ideas, a potent mix of pop, rap, rhymes and rhythms. Ominous and exciting.’

Chair of this year’s judging panel Simon Frith said: “Young Fathers have a unique take on urban British music, brimming with ideas – forceful, unexpected and moving.”