In the run up to 1Xtra Live, BBC Introducing in Manchester teamed up with 1Xtra to host an unmissable showcase at The Deaf Institute. Hosted by Yasmin Evans and Michelle Hussey and Natalie-Eve Williams from the local Introducing team, the night showcased Manchester’s emerging urban talent.
The line-up of artists included The Katanas, Two4Kay, Tobi Sunmola and Vital Signs. These artists have been championed by BBC Introducing in Manchester and the night was a variety of sounds which represents the Manchester music scene. Fellow Mancunians came out to support their local artists at The Deaf Institute, with a bustling atmosphere.
The Katanas, sisters Millie and Hope, took to the stage giving us a soulful taste of their upcoming EP Jupiter Chronicles. They have been supported by Michelle and Natalie from the very start of the girls’ careers, and they performed at the Introducing stage at Glastonbury in 2013. Natalie says The Katanas' success is “not a matter of if but when”. With a ‘cosmic soul’ sound they performed their track Jupiter and a powerful cover of Childish Gambino’s, Redbone.
Millie shares their musical influences, “We grew up with this amazing rich taste in all kinds of music and I think you can hear that in our music too.”
First using the Introducing Uploader in 2013, Millie says, “Natalie and Michelle have nurtured and encouraged us. It’s just the most amazing platform I think for introducing acts.”
Tobi Sunmola captivated the audience with his undeniable stage presence. Tobi has been supported by BBC Music Introducing for many years, performing at Radio 1’s Big Weekend in 2016.
With an alternative rap sound, Tobi has worked with Wretch 32 and Jacob Banks, and has been busy this year with a number of performances as well as releasing his most recent project, City of Dreams.
Michelle says, “When you watch or listen to him, he’s so true, you feel everything, you feel every word”.
Two4Kay, a very talented artist, producer and songwriter, is well known in the Manchester music scene for his work and collaborations with other artists, having worked with Tobi on his City of Dreams project and other artists including Sleazy F and Just Banco. Most recently he supported Popcaan on his UK tour.
However the spotlight was on his own work at the showcase, performing his new track ASAOY as well as 2 2 Bad Mind, a track which always gets the crowd excited.
Two4Kay explains this track: “If you have been around me you will know that I switch between being so English and so Jamaican. When I get mad, Jamaican words come out, and that is how 2 2 Bad Mind came about.”
Hip hop collective Vital Signs ended the night with powerful a cappellas fusing rap with gospel. Vital Signs also visit schools and prisons to give creative workshops and spread a message of faith. They performed Putting in Work, which was part of their amazing acoustic performance on BBC Introducing in Manchester in 2016.
Crown of Vital Signs is a Manchester music legend, formally part of the collective IconX. He says the music is influenced by their experiences: “It is a lot of story-based music but its real life, if it’s not our stories then it is our friends’ stories, or people that we have met, so we are kind of the voice for the broken and those who need help the most.”
Michelle and Natalie have been supporting the artists, watching their journeys from the start.
Natalie says the talent coming out of Manchester is at its highest level. “The last few years it has been a running joke: we will sit in disbelief listening to the playlist and we can’t believe that it is unsigned music. Because of the level it could be in the charts.”
This year has been a big year for Manchester music. This showcase was just a small taste of the talent coming out of Manchester.
