Jesse Bernard
'I Heard Before I Saw': How Record Collecting Became My Family Tradition
My dad was a reggae head and my mum loved soul, and I inherited their love of Black music.
Dizzee Rascal Returns Home
Twenty years after making his name as a young MC in east London, the now MBE artist returns to where it all began on seventh album 'E3 AF'.
J Hus Is Playing the Game, for Now
'Big Conspiracy' is a rich, meditative thought from the UK rapper. It's also the next – and not final – step in his journey of self-realisation.
Looking Back on the 10 Underrated Moments of Giggs’ Career So Far
With new album 'Big Bad', it's clear the UK rapper is a legacy act – one who bridged the gap between UK and US, and influenced hundreds.
If 2019 Is Good to Us, Afroswing Will Be More Than a Trend
The cluster of west African and Caribbean diasporic sounds in the UK deserve a longer stay than a passing moment.
How Grime Grew From London into a Thriving International Entity
Worldwide scenes have been popping up for years. Now, with some weight behind them, they’re gaining a cultural foothold in their areas.
Kojey Radical's Taste is Broad and Full of Surprises
We spoke the London based artist about the music he's unearthed, alongside NTS Radio and in partnership with YouTube Music.
Stormzy's 'Gang Signs & Prayer' Depicts the Struggle of Faith and Life
Among the many themes of the film is one big takeaway: we’re all in control of our own destiny.
How Funk Has Been Made to Feel Brand New Across the African Diaspora
From The Internet's solo albums to Nao and Togolese 'voudou funk', the sound is bumping its way across the globe like never before.
Introducing New Gen: the 22 Artist Movement Shaping the Future of Urban Music
These are the Skeptas, Giggs' and Dizzees of the future, and, alongside XL Recordings, they're bring out a collaboration album.
Meeting the MCs Who Put Nottingham on the Grime Map
It might not be as big as London or Manchester, but through the bars of Snowy, Mez and Kyeza, Nottingham has more than enough to say.
Unpacking Manchester's Blossoming Grime Scene
Ahead of BBC Radio 1Xtra's Street Studio session in Manchester this weekend, we catch up with local MCs and promoters to discuss the city's grime culture.