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.

Krept, whose real name is Casyo Johnson, and Konan, whose real name is Karl Wilson, revealed that their new album, ‘Revenge Is Sweet’, will be released on the 1st of November 2019. The UK rap duo released a preview by new Krept freestyle ‘Morley’s Freestyle’, and a video, which was filmed outside the Thornton Heath branch of legendary titular chicken shop Morley’s.

Krept and Konan will hit the road, for an eight day tour with shows across the UK and Ireland, in Dublin, on the 23rd of November 2019, before heading to Nottingham, Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds, and Bristol. The eight-day tour will conclude, in London, on the 5th of December 2019.

The announcement of the new album, ‘Revenge Is Sweet’, comes after Krept was the recent victim of a stabbing. The incident took place backstage, after a brawl brook out, at the BBC Radio 1 Xtra concert, in Birmingham, last week, which resulted in the concert being abandoned.

Responding to the news Krept took to social media to reassure fans, saying: “My people thanks for the messages. I’m good, ill be back in no time.”

The Soth London duo’s upcoming album, ‘Revenge Is Sweet’, is set to follow their highly politicised song-and-film release ‘Ban Drill‘, which they shared back, in June. The 10-minute short film was a response to the misconception that drill songs spark real-life violence.

West Midlands police have since said a man, whom they did not name, had sustained a slash wound, at 10pm, during an assault in the backstage area of Arena Birmingham. According to them he was treated by on-site medical staff and did not require hospital treatment.

The wounded man has since been confirmed as 29-year-old UK rapper Krept, whose real name is Casyo Johnson. In the early hours of Sunday morning, Konan (whose real name is Karl Wilson) tweeted in reference to Krept’s condition: “Bro’s good.”

Bros good

— REVENGE IS SWEET NOV 1st (@konanplaydirty) October 5, 2019

Police have said no arrests have been made in connection with the incident, but officers were speaking to potential witnesses and reviewing CCTV footage. They asked for anyone with information about the assault to get in touch.

However, in an unrelated incident, a 23-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possessing a knife, at the Arena Birmingham, on Saturday night.

Meanwhile, later on Krept himself responded, which said: “My people thanks for the messages I’m good, ill be back in no time. God was with me trust me. Cant keep a good man down.”

My people thanks for the messages Im good, ill be back in no time. God was with me trust me. Cant keep a good man down — REVENGE IS SWEET NOV 1st (@kreptplaydirty) October 6, 2019

The rapper, who has performed with the like of Ed Sheeran, later took to Instagram to add: “Was really looking forward to this week so I’m keeping the same energy I had, it’s gonna be a good week. Thank you for all the messages I’m good truss me. Could have been a lot worse. Stay positive my people. Happy Sunday.”

After the incident the sold-out concert was abandoned, leaving the 15,000 strong crowd disappointed. The concert, which started at 7:30pm and was supposed to finish at 11pm, was due to include performances from the likes of Aitch, French Montana, Ms Banks, and the headliner Wizkid. The concert was being livestreamed on 1Xtra, Radio 1, and BBC iPlayer.

Rappers Krept and Konan were not among the listed performers. Fans have said the gig was abandoned without explanation, other than an apology, shortly after a surprise performance from the garage star AJ Tracey, which prompted boos from the audience.

Speaking about the incident a Radio 1 spokesman, said: “Following an isolated serious incident, we have had to stop 1Xtra Live in Birmingham. We are cooperating fully with the police to establish what has happened. We’re sorry to everyone who attended 1Xtra Live in Birmingham for the early finish. However, the health and safety of everyone involved is always our top priority.”

The words that seemed to have upset Giggs were, “1-0 to the culture @bouncerplaydirty proud of you my bro. 10 years ago Gipset days man would never of saw this coming.” The pair seemed to have related the success of the track and of drill music in general back to themselves and their workload. Giggs is seen as a godfather to grime and drill music, therefore, Krept’s remark was sure to hurt his ego.

Giggs’ response to the comment was rather resentful, “Hope you got a permit for all that Glory Hunting, Pathetic. Goal hanging N**as. You both make me sick. Forever talkin shit that ain’t even facts. Now your tryin a jump on the yutes hyoe and act like your responsible as well. Frauds.”

The comment by the ‘Whippin Excursion’ rapper was shortly removed. However, it is unclear whether the rapper regretted what he said and deleted the comment himself or whether Krept was too embarrassed and decided to take it down.

This has not been the first time that the two have done some minor bragging about themselves. As only last week, Krept took to Twitter and made a series of tweets regarding the lack of appreciation and credit him and Konan receive for the change they have bought about to the UK grime/drill scene. One of the tweets said, “Man helped change the game are u mad. Before young kingz majority of artists from our scene was trying to get pop records for radio and tv and FAILING. Me and konan literally said fuck this shit and made young kingz and that independent release changed the game,”

Anxiety builds as we await the duo’s response to what Giggs had to say.

The nominations reflect the recent resurgence of Grime in the mainstream, with genre accounting for 27 of the nominations. Grime heavyweight JME is up for four awards, while the current hype surrounding Skepta has helped him rack up three nominations and rising star Stormzy who tallies at three nominations too.

Grime Godfather Wiley also makes an appearance on the list under best album, and has been gifted the Inaugural MOBO Paving the Way award, to honour his legacy in pioneering the genre. The MC has elected the stone to be placed at Bow school in Tower Hamlets, east London, where he and his father attended.

Hip Hop duo Krept & Konan are tipped for four awards: best male, best hip-hop act, best song and best album, and lead nominations alongside JME. FKA Twigs, who is set to perform on the night, has received three nominations, two being for her videos for “Pendulum” and “Glass and Patron”. Meanwhile, further abroad, Kendrick Lamar is in competition for best international album with the likes of Drake and Dre.

The 2015 MOBO Awards will be broadcast Live on ITV2 on 4th November, in the meantime you can view the nominations below:

Best Male :

Skepta

Mark Ronson

Krept & Konan

JME

Stormzy

Best Female :

FKA Twigs

Little Simz

Ella Eyre

Lianna La Havas

Jess Glyne

Best Album :

‘The Long Way Home’ – Krept & Konan

‘Integrity’ – JME

‘Blood’ – Lianne La Havas

‘Snakes & Ladders – Wiley

‘In Colour’ – Jamie XX

Best Song in Association with First Direct :

‘Uptown Funk’ – Mark Ronson Feat. Bruno Mars

‘Shutdown’ – Skepta

‘Not Letting Go’ – Tinie Tempah Feat. Jess Glynne

‘Man Don’t Care’ – JME Feat. Giggs

‘Freak of the Week’ – Krept & Konan

Best Video :

‘Know Me From’ – Stormzy

‘Pendulum’ – FKA Twigs

‘Body On Me’ – Rita Ora Feat. Chris Brown

‘Fester Skank’ – Lethal Bizzle

‘Glass & Patron’ – FKA Twigs

Best Newcomer in Association with Virgin Trains East Coast :

Bugzy Malone

Section Boyz

Nao

Bonkaz

Nick Brewer

George The Poet

J Hus

Snakehips

Sinead Harnett

Yungen

Best International Album :

‘If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late’ – Drake

‘2014 Forest Hill Drive’ – J. Cole

‘To Pimp A Butterfly’ – Kendrick Lamar

‘Compton: A Soundtrack by Dr. Dre’ – Dr. Dre

‘Beauty Behind The Madness’ – The Weeknd

‘Black Messiah’ – D’Angelo

‘Reality Show’ – Jazmine Sullivan

‘Ego Death’ – The Internet

‘Black Rose’ – Tyrese

‘At. Long. Last. ASAP’ – A$AP Rocky

Best Grime in Association with BBC Radio 1Xtra :

Bugzy Malone

JME

Lethal Bizzle

Skepta

Stormzy

Best Hip Hop :

Akala

Krept and Konan

Nines

Little Simz

Lady Leshurr

Best RNB/Soul Act :

Kwabs

Andreya Triana

Shakka

Lianne La Havas

Joss Stone

Best African :

Fuse ODG

Davido

Wizkid

Patoranking

Moelogo

Yemi Alade

Aka

Mista Silva

Shatta Wale

Silvastone

Best Reggae :

Stylo G

Chronixx

Omi

Popcaan

Protoje