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.

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The project which was announced last Friday has been updated with the tracklist and released date, that being the 20th of August.

The 11 song project includes 4 features and 7 solo tracks, 3 of which have already been released. The already released tracks are ‘Friendly’ featuring Haile, ‘Broke Boyz’ featuring Dream Doll and the solo track ‘Mud’.

The 4 features on the project are Haile on ‘Friendly’, the already released track is already sitting on half a million Youtube views and features ⅓ of the west London collective Wstrn. Hailes ability to create a hook on any genre and alongside any artists is showcased on this track as well as showcasing Shaybos ability to not only rap but sing as well.

Dream Doll is the next feature and similarly to ‘Friendly’, the track ‘Broke Boyz’ featuring Dream Doll has already been released. The track sees Shaybo link up with one of the biggest female rappers from the states and showcases both her and Dream Dolls gritty rapping style as well as highlighting their femininity.

The third feature is from prior collaborator Jorja Smith, the friendship between these two UK female stars has been seen to grow by fans with their support for each other work as well as their collaboration on Jorja Smiths last project on the track ‘Bussdown’ which looks to being repaid with Jorja’s feature on the track titled ‘My sister’.

The final feature is American rapper Wale, similarly to Shaybo, Wale is from a Nigerian background and in recent times has involved his culture heavily in his music. Wale will appear on the 8th track titled ‘No worries’.

‘Queen of South’ will be Shaybos debut project and will hopefully give fans an opportunity to learn more about her journey as Shaybo in the last 10 years and why she deserves to be called the Queen of South.

Shaybos debut project ‘Queen of the South’ is available to preorder here.

The 24-year-old rapper took to her Instagram to share the news with her 110,000 followers. With no release date, the British Nigerian ended the caption with “Queen of south tape out soon”

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The south Londoner also shared with fans in her caption that the project is “11 years in the making”, the artist has been rapping since she was 13 with her infamous freestyle being released in 2011 and currently sitting on just over 490,000 views.

Shaybo had a strong 2020 and in 2021 has featured on Jorja smiths album ‘Be right back’ featuring on the project single ‘Bussdown’, released her track alongside Haile titled ‘Friendly’ and earned herself two GRM rated award nominations.

Shaybo was nominated for ‘Breakthrough Artist of the year’ alongside the likes of Central Cee and Ardee, and ‘Female artists of the year’ alongside the likes of collaborator Jorja Smith and fellow south Londoner Ms Banks.

The Nigerian born rapper took to her Instagram to thank GRM for the nomination as well as letting her fans know to vote for her.

 

 

 

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The ‘Queen of south’ title has been heavily used by Shaybo, the Lewisham rapper used this title when speaking to her fans through a series of Instagram posts in June. The two posts posted within 9 days of each over addressed the 4 year Grenfell anniversary, the tragedy in the Westminster area where Shaybo worked as a support worker during that time. The second address was for Shaybos fans in school and University as she wished them luck on their results.

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Shaybos ‘Queen of the South’ Tape is set to release soon.

 The South London rapper and West London singer teamed up for Shaybos new single mixing Shaybos effortless raps with Hailes soft voice.

The single was produced by Haile. The multi-talented artist is ⅓ of the group Wstrn and when he is not creating hits like ‘In2‘ and ‘Re-Up’, the artist often appears on the hooks of some of the biggest records and next to the biggest artists. Appearing on records with artists such as Headie One, Skrapz, Steff London, Nines and Goldlink. The 26-year-old singer/ songwriter is a cheat code when it comes to making a hit, his effortless sound and writing makes him one of the best in the UK for hook and vocals.

Shaybo is a 24-year-old born in Nigeria but raised in Lewisham and Woolwich, home of two of the largest Nigerian communities in the UK. Shaybo never forgets her roots whether it is through her lyrics or clothing the 24 year makes sure her fans know where she’s from. Having just featured on the lead single for Jorja Smiths latest project ‘Be right back’. The track titled ‘Bussdown’ gave the south London rapper her first chart entry peaking at 56th.

Shaybos talent as well as her willingness to learn make her one of the most exciting artists coming up in the UK scene. Yet to have dropped a project, fans of the Nigerian born rapper are waiting in anticipation for the artist debut album.

Shaybo took to her Instagram to show fans the preparation she put in for her new video with Haile, with clips of her practising her moves with choreographer Olu Alatise and her dancer.

New riddim from @shaybomusic ft. @HaileWSTRN FRIENDLY! OUT NOW https://t.co/2DoF7YJWYR pic.twitter.com/cW5OEk1wPo

— W S T R N (@WSTRNmusic) July 9, 2021

The video for ‘Friendly‘ is available to watch here: