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.

‘1000 Nights‘ initiates a switch up from Jaykae’s previous music. In a style unlike that witnessed in his ‘Chop (Henry The 8^th)‘, the Birmingham artist provides more sincere and personal lyrics. These lyrics, along with Jaykaes contemplative bars and Jorja’s heartfelt verse, come together to provide a narrative – a narrative bought to life in the singles music video.

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The music video for ‘1000 Nights‘, directed by Luke Biggins, follows Jorja and Jaykae as the devastating reality of the story line unfolds. In conversation about how the single was produced, Jaykae explained that “The track was written and recorded with me and Jorja in the studio together, not sending across vocal takes between studios, and I think you can hear that—there’s a different energy about it. It’s got a classic garage sound, but the storyline is so relevant to today”. This different energy is accentuated by the merging of Jaykae’s powerful lyricism – which touches on family decisions and sacrifices – as well as the sweeping heavy heartedness provided by Jorja. The two artists recording as one in the studio is wholeheartedly reflected in the smooth development of their single, as well as its accompanying video. You can watch the music video for ‘1000 Nights‘ below.

The new track celebrates the much-anticipated return of UK grime MC Jaykae. It has been a matter of years since the artist released the album ‘Where Have You Been?’, and it is more than good to see his music being imprinted freshly in the minds of his listeners. It is no doubt that the past few years have granted Jaykae a successful career – with collaborations featuring the likes of Aitch, The Streets and Stormzy. But with this new track, and a collaboration with Grammy nominated Jorja Smith, Jaykaes name on the UK music scene is even further solidified. Jaykae took to social media today to express his gratitude for the immediate response to ‘1000 Nights‘.

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In recent months Jorja Smith has come on strength and strength, most notably with the release of ‘Be Right Back’. The eight track project has been described by the artist as a “waiting room” for her second album, which isn’t due until next year. ‘1000 Nights‘ is certainly keeping fans satisfied until then.

The joint force of the two midlands stars on ‘1000 Nights‘ is certainly worth listening to, and you can do so here.

The single, produced by grime stalwart Rude Kid, is an experimental return to form for Ghetts. The atmospheric instrumental provides a disconcertingly melodic foil for the East London emcee, and his two accomplices, to demonstrate a range of vocal talents. Like a fairground ghost-train, the track haunts and thrills in equal measure as Ghetts’ spectral wordplay, rhyme schemes and flow work in haunting harmony. Jaykae’s verse adds a certain punchy violence. He raps as if he is a poetic school bully, the type to mug a child for bus-fare before handing in an A* critique of Shakespeare’s ‘Sonnet 18‘.

Moonchild Sanelly’s hook makes the track truly distinctive. Her thick South African accent reflects that of compatriot, Die Antwoord’s Yolandi, and is in stark contrast to the two rapper’s heavy British dialects. She also recites a verse in Xhosa, a language native to a nation of people spread across South Africa and Zimbabwe. The result is a track which bubbles with diversity, and fuses the sound of the British Grime scene with South African Hip-Hop.

The single’s visual was released alongside the track. Artist Sahoud Khalaf half animates the musicians. Their faces obscured and their figures morphed, the trio race around a city in a world of murky blues, oranges and reds. The clip enshrouds in playful uncertainty, and compliments the track’s pace and tone. Website GrmDaily was quick to laud the visual’s ‘colour‘, ‘creativity‘ and the way in which it ‘display[s] life in a city through a range of different scenes‘.

Praise for Ghetts is common. He has been a key figure in the British Grime scene, since the release of his pioneering mix-tape ‘2000 & Life’, in 2005. He has since delighted fans with iconic tunes, such as ‘One Take’ (2015), and performed to a packed Wembley Arena with Eskimo Dance in 2017.

Initial reviews for ‘Mozambique‘ have been positive. Annie Mac made it her Hottest Record In The World, the night it was released. It’s budding popularity created because ‘Mozambique‘ haunts, entertains and intrigues in equal measure. An atmosphere of mystery surrounds the single and visual, a theme intended by Grime legend Ghetts. He simply quoted the first line of the single’s hook, ‘I don’t know bro‘, when asked for a press statement to announce the release.

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Big thanks to @anniemac for making Mozambique

This remix sees Sir Spyro revamp the instrumental and recruit grime heavyweights Jaykae and Aitch to represent the two biggest cities outside of the capital. The track opens up with Ed Sheeran singing the inspirational chorus before Stormzy spits in his usual assertive flow, describing his growth as an artist whilst representing his area “We were younger then, now we’re unified, South London boys get you crucified.” Ed jumps in with bars of his own, silencing his critics and proving that he’s not just a pop singer but a talented versatile artist. He too speaks of his growth but explains that he’s also down to earth “Give me a packet of crisps and my pint, hit my friends up, go straight to the pub, cos I haven’t been home in time.”

Stormzy and Ed Sheeran go back-to-back with bars before the second chorus commences. Jaykae cuts the chorus short as he represents for his hometown Birmingham, his braggadocio verse speaks on his come up and the luxury items he has acquired but can also be found in a pub. With eyes being on London when it comes to grime, Jaykae unapologetically lets you know where he’s from “Rep blues when I’m here, it’s Brum, fam are you dumb.” Since coming onto the scene, Aitch has continually expressed he’s not a trap rapper and lets his talent speak for itself whilst accumulating a strong fan base. Reiterating this statement on the track with his jumpy flow he raps, “I came for first place, made a change to get paid, fam I stayed in my lane and came with that flame.”

Directed by Manchester’s KC Locke and shot around London, Manchester and Birmingham, the creative visuals capture the essence of British culture. The video begins with Stormzy riding shotgun as Ed Sheeran drifts a Rolls Royce Cullinan in an empty field, they wear matching grey tracksuits from Stormzy’s latest collaboration with Adidas. They perform their verses standing back-to-back in a high-end suit store whilst a tailor measures them up for a perfect fit.

Jaykae starts his verse surrounded by a circle of biker boys riding a mixture of ATV’s and dirt bikes. The scenes cut between him, Aitch and Ed drinking and having a good time on a red interior tour bus to the Birmingham rapper standing amongst friends at the pool table of a pub. Jaykae’s verse ends abruptly as Aitch is seen toasting Ed Sheeran whilst they sit side by side in a traditional English café drinking a cup of milky tea. Given Ed’s global exposure these scenes all encompass British culture and give his international fans a taste of how the U.K do it.

Since its release, grimes godfather Wiley has taken aim at Ed Sheeran labelling him a “culture vulture” for jumping on a grime track for “exposure” that’s clearly unneeded given his current success. Stormzy was quick to respond to these comments stating, “Ed been doing this from early, been a real one from early, can’t question that.” Jaykae also came to Ed’s defence saying, “I’ve looked up to you for over a decade. But you’re moving like a wasteman” whilst tweeting a clip of his verse on the track where he raps “You could be 40, you don’t wanna war me, end of story, you’re gonna get spun” clearly sending shots at the grime OG.

I’m happy for you Wiley. I tell people all the time recently that you look like your in a good space after looking like you was having a mid life crisis on social media. Your killing it. I’ve looked upto you for over a decade. But your moving like a wasteman. Safe pic.twitter.com/HJTaaTp8gJ

— Jaykae (@Jaykae10) August 24, 2019

You can watch the visuals to ‘Take Me Back To London (Sir Spyro Remix)’ below.