Urban music news 2011

This page is par of the urban music section

Our guide to the Urban Music Scene in Leicester: Rappers, MCs, DJs, Hi-hop, Dubstep, Grime

11th December

50 of the biggest urban artists

In Leicester, 50 of the biggest urban artists come together under the O2 Academy roof when Sidewinder meets Niche . P Money, Boy Better Know, Monster Boy, Jamie Duggan and more will be taking over the venue until 4am.

Sidewinder at the O2, Saturday 31st December

Words Without Weapons - 17th December

What's in a lyric? Young people from across Leicester have been working with urban artist Wavey, to create powerful tracks that deal with issues of violence and knife crime.

They will perform in a Words Without Weapons showcase at The Music Cafe, Leicester, on Saturday 17 December.

Words Without Weapons is being supported by The Home Office Communities Against Guns, Gangs and Knives Fund. Through singing and MCing, these young artists have explored some of the most relevant, emotive and scary subjects that confront young people today.

This showcase is the culmination of an anti-crime workshop programme, for young people aged 12 to 19 across Leicester and Leicestershire. Words Without Weapons addresses issues of violent and knife crime, allowing young people to explore sensitive themes in a supportive atmosphere.

This massive showcase will also include performances from Birmingham based grime artist Slick Don and Rn'B singer J-Sol, as well as a host of local artists. As a free event, it's open to friends and families of performers, as well as local music fans.

The project has targeted young people who have offended, or are at risk of offending, working in partnership with Youth Offending Team, Leicester City Council and Leicestershire County Council, Connexions Leicester Shire and Leicester Safer Partnership, among others. Words Without Weapons Showcase 7 to 9 pm (doors 6pm), Saturday 17 December 2011, FREE entry!

The Music Cafe, New Park St, Braunstone Gate, Leicester For more information on this showcase, or if you would like to take part or get involved, please contact Vijay Mistry on 0116 261 6824.

Words Without Weapons is being supported by The Home Office Communities Against Guns, Gangs and Knives Fund.

Contestants battle it out for the NxLevel

Featured rapper Jonezy from Loughborough, Michael Vickers from Leicester and hip-hop group Shelly Soljaz are among the vocal artists taking part in NxLevel. Organisations LCMP, TMC, SYFERCAM, AONP, G PHOTO/FILM, YARD 26 AND LEICESTER VOCAL TECH joined forces to find Leicester's best cross-genre, up and coming live vocal acts of 2011. The auditions have been running at the Music Cafe, near Braunstone Gate. The winner of the competition will receive a promo package worth five thousand pounds and this will include Vocal Coaching lessons, Studio time with a highly skilled Producer, a Professionally recorded Music video, Photo Portfolio and a string of Headline shows.

Artists taking part included rappers, groups and acoustic singers. The first live show takes place on 22nd December, followed bya second live show on 22nd January and the live finals on 24th February.

There will be a public vote for artists from 19th November on the NxLevel web site.

See all the artists that have taken part. | Vote now for ones you support

See the video of the performances at the Music Cafe.

Leicester's Luke Bingham plays at BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend

Luke bingham

Watch this video of Luke Bingham singing Nothing 2 Lose at the Radio 1 Big Weekend.

Luke Bingham's web site.

Ricky C at the Shed

Rapper Ricky C performing a the shed ina show that also featured Loughborough rapper Jonezy.

Scarzy Records

The New Scarzy Records CD Entitled 'The Beginning' was released on January 8th 2011. The CD consists of 10 Rap/Hip-Hop tunes featuring other artists affiliated to Scarzy Records.

Time and effort was put into the making of the CD to produce such a high quality product. The CD was entitled 'The Beginning' for the pure fact its the beginning of a new Scarzy Records.

See the Youtube Video - 'You are the one'

Other pages you might like

Training for urban artists

Urban music on So-Urban