Tramshed, Cardiff
Sat 4 June
After five years off the scene, Wales’ legendary hip-hop night Higher Learning is finally back. Celebrating 30 years of Welsh rap this summer, in conjunction with Festival Of Voice (which takes place across various Cardiff venues from Fri 3-Sun 12 June), this event will feature one of Cardiff’s biggest ever UK hip-hop line ups.
Awarded best DJ at Cardiff Music Awards, DJ Jaffa – the man who started it all in Wales’ capital, three decades ago- will be mashing up new and old skool beats. Then there’s Melo, an incredibly skilled young rapper from Cardiff who’s worked with the likes of Astroid Boys and Elro (and is also the lead vocalist for When Worlds Collide). From further afield, Brit-rap pioneer Rodney P and DJ Skitz will be there, alongside modern day hip-hop pioneers The Four Owls: after hibernating mysteriously for three years, they’re back and are ready to take flight once again. Having recently teamed up with the legendary DJ Premier, while Deformed Wing’s beats remain sharper than ever, The Four Owls are ready to share selections from their two albums, Nature’s Greatest Mystery and Natural Order. Alongside them will be Kojey Radical – an up-and-coming London rapper who features on BBC 1Xtra’s Hot For 2016 list – the Welsh-language Mr Phormula, live band favourites The Mouse Outfit, AAA Badboy (also known as Kaptin, Higher Learning head honcho) and more.
Tickets: £20. Info: 0117 9259273
(AMB)