Hip-Hop Lives Here
Hip-Hop Lives Here
Hull is set to submit its bid to become the UK’s latest recipient of the UNESCO Creative City of Music award.
The designation is awarded by the United Nations agency to a number of cities around the world that have “identified creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development” and that aim to establish further music-related activities in the city.
Previous UK cities to be awarded the honour are Glasgow in 2008, Liverpool in 2015 and Belfast in 2021, the latter of which saw natives Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol and composer Hannah Peel named as official patrons of the city.
Hull now aims to be the fourth city to claim the title, after its council cabinet signed off on a five-year plan to boost music in the city. They consulted 1200 people as part of their “far-reaching” planning process, with councillor Rob Pritchard arguing that it would offer the city “a real direction in which to move our cultural scene forward” (via BBC).
The council have said that their application will follow the publication of the city’s first music plan, to be published early in 2025. They have stated an intention to “enable all residents to take part in and enjoy cultural activities”, as well as a vision to use their culture and heritage to me the city “more competitive” to generate economic growth.
The official application will be launched on March 14 as part of the Cultural Tides conference at the city’s Truck Theatre.
Hull’s high-profile musical contributions over the years include the ‘80s acts The Housemartins and Everything But The Girl, as well as more recent artists such as shoegazers Bdrmm, whose second album ‘I Don’t Know’ was released in 2023. In a four-star review, NME wrote: “Frontman Ryan Smith has bristled at having his vocals described as “effortless” in the past, but his precision only makes what he says more potent. This is a special record by a band who are not-so-quietly raising the bar for the whole British scene.”
Another great Hull musical native was Mick Ronson, longtime guitarist with David Bowie. Earlier this year, 50 six-feet-tall rat sculptures appeared in the city to honour him.
Share
Advertisement
Hayley Williams has reacted to Doechii citing Paramore as an influence on her work, saying she wants the singer to win “every Grammy”.
Earlier this week, the ‘Denial Is A River’ rapper opened up about the impact that the pop-punk band have had on her as an artist, pointing to her days as an art-school teenager.
“Paramore was my first introduction to rock music,” Doechii said in an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald. “I know that rock music is popular but where I grew up in the South, in my culture and my radius, it wasn’t so popular. But she kind of changed my life and my perspective, and I learned about different types of music through Paramore. It made a huge impression on me and my style.”
Now, Williams has returned the compliment, replying to Doechii’s comments on an Instagram Stories update on her social media.
Over a freezeframe of the rapper’s quotes, Williams wrote: “This is my laaaadyyyyy. Don’t ever hurt her. We go all the way back even tho we only ever met one time. She better win every Grammy too.”
Back in 2020, Doechii sampled Paramore’s 2010 single ‘The Only Exception’ in her viral TikTok hit track ‘Yucky Blucky Fruitcake’ – with the musician rapping “Singing karaoke while my mom was at the store (you are) / Scared that she would walk in on me singing Paramore (the only exception)”.
Doechii’s latest release was her 2024 Mixtape ‘Alligator Bites Never Heal‘. The mixtape was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 67th Grammy Awards which is set to take place on February 2 2025 at the Crypto.com arena in Los Angeles, California. The mixtape’s lead single ‘Nissan Altima’ also earned her a nomination for Best Rap Performance and she herself earned a nomination as Best New Artist.
In a four-star review of ‘Alligator Bites Never Heal’, NME shared: “At first, Doechii gets into the nitty gritty on this release, but – by the end – she finds solace and strength, making the mixtape feel more like a sonic diary of her emotional journey. It’ll take time to see if it becomes a standout in her discography, but this boldly brazen record definitely makes a statement.”
In other news, ‘Nissan Altima’ was named as one of NME‘s 50 Best Songs Of 2024 list, with writer Seth Pereira sharing: “From the first second on, ‘Nissan Altima’ is a white-knuckled ride of braggadocious brilliance from Top Dawg Entertainment’s heir to the throne. Childish Major’s minimalist production is a perfect playground for Doechii to showcase why she’s undeniably top of the class in 2024.”
Elsewhere, Doechii was one of the acts that was featured on BBC Radio 1’s longlist for their Sound Of 2025 artists alongside the likes of Mk.gee, Chappell Roan, Kneecap and more.
Share
Advertisement
