The show has been produced by Fremantle label, Naked and distributed by A+E networks. Speaking on the release of the new series, BBC Commissioning Editor Patrick McMahon says: “I’m thrilled to welcome Krept, Konan and DJ Target back for a new series of the Rap Game UK. With epic new challenges, gripping new format twists, and some of the most talented artists we’ve ever had competing for that crown, this year’s contest looks set to be the biggest, best and toughest yet.” Naked Creative Director Tom O’Brien added, “It’s great to be bringing The Rap Game back again. With new showrunners (Trent Williams Jones and Steve Earley), a new cast and new even higher stakes, Naked can’t wait to see who will be the new winner.” 

In 2021, The Rap Game UK was most nominated for two Broadcast Digital Awards, being the Best Entertainment Programme and Best Popular Factual Programme. That year it was also nominated in the Formatted Popular Factual category in the 2021 RTS Programme Awards. The show was also nominated for a BAFTA Award back in 2020.

This years up and comings MCs taking part include, T Big Jest and JClarke, P3Lz, Mayo, Mwangi and Zoellz. The six contestants have travelled to Manchester to compete in a series of challenges aimed at showcasing their individual musical, lyrical and performance abilities. The six MCs will undertake challenges across the series whilst being guest mentored by some of the biggest names in the UK scene – and this year this includes Unknown T, Shaybo, BackRoad Gee, Leomie Anderson, D-Block Europe, Lethal Bizzle, Jaykae, and more.  The winner will gain a £20,000 cash prize, as well as a mentorship scheme to help them create and launch their own music after the contest ends.

A teaser for the opening episode of the new series that came out last Thursday shares, “DJ Target and Krept & Konan return to Manchester to search for the next big rap star. Six aspiring rappers discover that winning this series will be tougher than ever, with a twist revealed that none of them expect. Their opening challenge sees some artists make a bigger impression than others.”

You can watch the show live on BBC Three at 9pm every Thursday. You can also watch the new series online via BBC iPlayer, where the past three series are also available to stream.

Since making waves with Pa Salieu on the hit track ‘My Family’, has released many singles and has been featured on many more, with a total of 17 tracks he has been involved with up until the recent album singles. These tracks include a Daily Duppy, a feature on Ghetts’ acclaimed Conflict of Interest, alongside Salieu of course, and hit single ‘A Yo’ featuring TizzTrap and BG. Watch the ‘A Yo’ video below:

His style swings freely from drill to road rap to Afrobeats, and will happily blend genres in a manner unforced. ‘A Yo’, for example, released earlier this year and now features on the recent release, has Afrobeats vibes chopped into a drill beat. ‘Dark Place’ has a similar vibe, with floaty instrumentation over an aggressive drill format. It is perhaps this liberating blend of popular genres that has made him so popular across multiple audiences.

On the project, BackRoad Gee says: “After almost two years of hard work, blood, sweat & tears (literally), I can say I’ve had some of the craziest life changes which makes this mixtape mean so much to me. If you know me personally, this music and energy I give you is me from my heart. It’s not a job I go to or an identity I put on. Every word, every punchline, every ad-lib, I feel through the energy and the music is real, not a fairytale. This is I, King Brukz, Reporting Live From The Back of The Roads!”, as per Clash.

The sound of this project goes in a different direction from his previous EP, Mukta vs Mukta, which was much more drill oriented. While his new project contains a few drill tracks here and there, it is an Afrobeats-heavy project, giving us the party vibes going into the winter.

Listen to the new album below:

In his interview on BBC Radio 1, the artist said, “With my music, I want you to be able to close your eyes, and be able to dig what I’m saying, take it in. At the same time, when it comes to the beat, I want it to be lit.”

He also discussed his inspiration; “My biggest inspiration is my auntie. Music back home is about who you are, where you’re coming from, you know, your past, and that’s what I wanna bring here. Not only here, I wanna bring what music is to me.” Finally, Pa Salieu left the audience with the news that he’ll be putting out his first body of work in a mixtape arriving later this year.

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Behold the cultured tone of energy My Family Video our now and all audio platforms!! ft my brother, my killy killy @backroadgee

A post shared by King Salieu (@pa_salieu) on Sep 10, 2020 at 10:27am PDT

The rap artist has had an incredible year, and shows no signs of slowing down. So far in 2020, he has released five singles, starting with his most popular song to date, ‘Frontline’, followed by ‘Hit The Block’, ‘Betty’, ‘Bang Out’, and, the one and only, ‘My Family’.

This evening, the music video for the new single came out, and it has already reached over 8,000 views. The black and white feature shows both Pa Salieu and collaborator BackRoad Gee performing the song outside, surrounding by friends, most of whom are wearing masks.

Pa Salieu spent the first eight years of his life in Gambia, before moving to the UK city of Coventry and breaking into the music scene in 2019 at just 22-years-old. Fans have seen his unique sound develop as he shares new releases such as ‘Dem A Lie’, produced by Coolie. He has been a part of many collaborations, including Kida Kudz, Ms Banks, Juls, and Ambush Buzzworl.