{"id":18833,"date":"2024-12-10T18:02:01","date_gmt":"2024-12-10T18:02:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.godj.com\/news\/the-rap-game-uk-finalists-want-to-reset-the-music-industry\/"},"modified":"2024-12-10T18:02:01","modified_gmt":"2024-12-10T18:02:01","slug":"the-rap-game-uk-finalists-want-to-reset-the-music-industry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.godj.com\/news\/the-rap-game-uk-finalists-want-to-reset-the-music-industry\/","title":{"rendered":"The Rap Game UK finalists want to ‘reset’ the music industry"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Cbliminal, Haydog, Layyah, Only Zizou (left to right) are the finalists of The Rap Game UK<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n
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It has been six weeks of intense challenges, clashes and even a live show on the BBC Introducing Stage at Leeds Festival.<\/p>\n

As The Rap Game UK reaches its last stage, the four finalists say it is time for new talent like them to freshen up the industry.<\/p>\n

Haydog, Layyah, Cbliminal and Only Zizou are battling it out to win the show and \u00a320,000 cash prize, with the final airing tonight on BBC Three and iPlayer<\/a>.<\/p>\n

“It’s our time right now,” Haydog from Wirral, Merseyside, tells BBC Newsbeat.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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“[The industry] needs a reset and that’s what we’re here to do.”<\/p>\n

Layyah chimes in: “All of us. We’re the ones to do it.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Haydog<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Haydog says the show has given him the confidence to bring his rap to the scene<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n
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DJ Target, Krept and Konan are the three judges guiding the aspiring rappers.<\/p>\n

In September 2013, Krept and Konan had the highest charting UK album by an unsigned act<\/a> – with Young Kingz getting to 19 in the top 40 Official Albums Chart.<\/p>\n

They think the four finalists are going to add something new to a scene that is a “bit samey”.<\/p>\n

“You kind of hear sounds and everyone starts doing the same thing. Every time we come across new artists that do some completely new sounds it’s exciting,” Krept says.<\/p>\n

Haydog adds: “It’s probably the easiest time to cut through as an up and coming rapper. We have TikTok, people like DJ AG supporting us.”<\/p>\n

DJ AG and Mak 10 have been out on the streets putting on open-mic sets for anyone to rock up and rap.<\/p>\n

It’s led to lesser-known artists going viral<\/a> alongside established ones like Skepta.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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DJ AG (pictured with blue hat) has been credited alongside the DJ Mak 10 with bringing energy to the UK rap scene<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n
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DJ Target has been presenting the show since 2019, and feels “it definitely represents a huge part of UK culture”.<\/p>\n

“It speaks to an audience that often are left out of the conversations.”<\/p>\n

It’s something Only Zizou can relate to.<\/p>\n

“Six weeks of solely focus on music. Being able to spit our bars in front of these established artists is just crazy.”<\/p>\n

But while they’re in it to develop as rappers and win the jackpot, many of them are there to inspire others to get involved at a time where social media can change everything for rappers trying to break through, especially outside London.<\/p>\n

“I’m putting it on for my city Nottingham,” Cbliminal says.<\/p>\n

“It’s nice to be able to have the youngsters within my city look up to it and watch the show and think: ‘Well if he’s doing it then there’s no reason why I can’t do it’.”<\/p>\n

For Haydog, it’s a chance to represent his hometown.<\/p>\n

“This is a massive opportunity. I do a bit of youth work, it’s good to be able to be the person that the youth are looking up to, especially in my area.<\/p>\n

“Anybody that’s out there who’s got a dream. Don’t stop until you chase your dream. Never quit and stay focused.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Layyah<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Layyah wants to get more women to pick up a microphone<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n
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Layyah, who’s gone viral for her rap on being a woman<\/a>, says it’s about inspiring girls to pick up a mic in a male-dominated scene.<\/p>\n

Guest mentor, Fumez the Engineer, describes Layyah as “a generational talent”.<\/p>\n

“You can’t teach what she has – it’s a gift.”<\/p>\n

As the only woman left in the final, Layyah says it “just makes me wanna go harder for all the females out there”.<\/p>\n

“All the little girls. I’m trying to represent,” she says.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Listen to Newsbeat live<\/a> at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays – or listen back here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n