The ‘Ban Bob Vylan’ tour, which was supposed to commence on May 12th in Boston and was set to span both the USA and Canada, and would have seen the all-female grunge/sludge/punk New York outfit Jigsaw Youth accompany them, would have been the duo’s first tour outside of the UK.

Unfortunately the America & Canada tour has been pulled due to visa issues. These things happen, it’s incredibly frustrating but there is nothing we can do at the moment. Apologies to everyone that bought tickets to see us out there with @jigsawyouthband hopefully see you soon.

— Bob Vylan (@BobbyVylan) May 2, 2023

Sadly though, Bob Vylan become yet another victim of the ever-increasingly difficult US visa processing system. Already a long, complicated and expensive process (that perhaps holds a political bias against certain acts, particularly in this case given Bob Vylan’s politically charged lyrics are at the forefront of their music), getting into the US as a non-US musician will very soon be even tougher with the announcement earlier this year that the US Department of Homeland Security plans to increase the cost of a special music visa by 250%, with the “P” visa jumping from £375 per person to a staggering £1317 per person.

The #LetTheMusicMove campaign, initially started by the Music Managers Forum and the Featured Artists Coalition in order to combat increasing tour costs due to post-brexit visa costs, has now shifted its attention to the ugly US visa price hike, with groups such as New Order, Idles and Primal Scream, to name a few, voicing their disdain for the proposed changes.

Fresh off the back of a hugely successful 2022, in which their second album, Bob Vylan Presents The Price Of Life, was released and capped off with winning the first ever Best Alternative Music Act award at the MOBOs in December, Bob Vylan would have undoubtedly been looking to continue their proliferating momentum with this unprecedented North American tour, introducing their wholly unique style, which incorporates hard-hitting social and political commentary with the merging of grime rap with punk rock, to the American and Canadian masses for the first time.

Watch the music video for “We Live Here” below:

While the British response to the rise of Bob Vylan in the very recent past has been a spectacularly positive one (drawing huge crowds at festivals they play and seeing their second album slot straight in to number 18 in the UK Albums Chart upon its release), the reaction from across the pond is largely yet to witnessed.

Given Afro-punk’s popularity in North America, however, with bands such as Bad Brains and Rage Against the Machine achieving success in the aforementioned alternative genre, Bob Vylan will surely be welcomed with open arms in the punk community stateside when they are eventually allowed to play there, particularly given how some of Bob Vylan’s favourite topics (police brutality, racism and income inequality) will no doubt resonate well with those who believe that said issues are strongly present in Canadian and, perhaps more so, American society.

‘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.

Announcing the release of the interview on Instagram, Link Up TV wrote: “@shabzdidit sits down with the godfather @officialgiggs for an exclusive one on one conversation .You don’t want to miss this one.”

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Giggs sits down with Mr. Shabz for an in-depth interview about his journey in the music industry so far and delves into his sound and persona’s background. The one hour and twenty-seven-minute interview also explores what he thinks about his critics, ongoing disputes, his early mixtapes and reminisces on the good time in his ends. 

Talking about his expression through his music, Giggs said: “It’s always been music bruv, through everything… through music and that, if man can bring people together as well, you know what I’m saying?”    

Mr Shabz reflects on his friendship with Giggs and how they share the common experience of being Dads. Giggs jokingly said: “No ones calling me Giggs in my house, it’s dad, daddy or my name. I might forget I’m Giggs.” 

Most recently, Giggs featured on the track ‘Games’ by Ray BLK, which was released last month and also shared a ‘Daily Duppy’ freestyle. Opening the freestyle, he rapped: “Opening the track, Giggs raps: “The liveliest member, I’m live in the centre/ Rising Avenger/ Riding around, hiding a blender/ These guys are corona, I’m nice with the cleanser/ Quite an agenda/ Was gone till November/ I light up December/I’m sending these texts she likes me to send her/ She likes me, I’m sexy, I like when it’s tender.”

The Peckham rapper, released his debut studio album ‘Walk in da Park’ back in 2008. Following on from his debut album, the rapper has released five albums, with his fourth album ‘Landlord’ reaching number two in the UK charts. In late 2020, the grime artist released a surprise mixtape called ‘Now or Never.’ It consisted of 16 tracks, with features including Dave, Jorja Smith, A Boogie wit da Hoodie, Kyze, Aystar, Tiny Boost, DeMarco, Obongjayar and Emeli Sandé. In response to his latest album, Giggs has been hailed by critics for using his platform to promote a new generation of talent 

Link Up TV hosts a variety of artists from the British hip hop, grime, trap, and drill scene. They have a strong focus on rising talent, aiming to develop new artists. Link Up TV has also featured big names such as Drake, Giggs, Bugzy Malone, Wretch 32, and S1mba. With a host of other artists that have featured on the series of Link Up TV, as part of their freestyle series, ‘Behind Barz’ and ‘Live Sessions.’ 

You can watch Mr. Shabz interview with Giggs now on Youtube: