December’s Emerging Showcase features a live band show from Manchester’s J Chambers.

Using his voice to shed light on his lived experience, J Chambers is more than just a musician, with his poetic expressions carrying an undercurrent of profound wisdom.

Releasing his EP Escape The Kingdom in 2020, J Chambers narrated his reality of being black and British within contemporary English culture.

A successful year for Chambers, 2020 also brought the fiery Sirens encompassing a reggae driven production in his impassioned lyrical flow. Playing on the dual meaning of the word, Siren metaphorically expressed the oppression of Black Britons whilst toying with the concept of distraction and obstruction of progress.

With the release of his politically charged single Kill The Noise, in response to the ‘Black Lives Matter’ protests, J Chambers has cemented himself in the UK hip hop scene, securing plaudits from platforms such as Riddim Magazine, Earmilk, PRS in M- Magazine, and plays on Heartless Crew’s BBC 1Xtra show.

Whilst he is no stranger to an upbeat hip hop cypher, as seen in his playful ‘Duppy Dub’, his purpose is clear, with an ever-growing catalogue of politically driven public appearances putting Chambers on the scene as a voice for his community.

Since appearing on the BBC’s Blue Peter with his poem written in honour of Black History Month, Chambers has captivated viewers yet again, sharing his thoughts on the BBC, CNN and Sky News after the Marcus Rashford mural was defaced with racist graffiffiti in 2021.

With the motion sparking his commissioned poem for the Withington Walls project, Chambers later released the sentimental Blackley Boy. A profound acknowledgment of his personal development and growth as a musician, the track gives recognition to how his working class background has shaped the artist and leader he is today.

Isaiah Hull, 25, is a noir maker from Old Trafford. His early years of poetry are founded in curiosity and imagery. His career has taken him across the UK, performing alongside Kae Tempest, Saul Williams, opening ahead of Skepta as well as working internationally.

As of recent years Isaiah was featured in i-D ‘Class of 2018’, published his debut poetry collection Nosebleeds (2018) as part of BBC’s Contains Strong Language, co-written and performed in MIF’s theatre production Alphabus (2019), which joined New York dance with poetry. As well as readings at Afro Punk, Tate Lates and Poets and Players, his work explores and challenges the extremities of self with image, word and soul whether on the page or stage.

Hailing from Manchester, Britizen Kane has been building a name for himself within the UK rap scene. Becoming known for combining witty wordplay, powerful vocal performances and flows alongside collaborator Turkish Dcypha who delivers high driven contemporary instrumentals. 2020 saw the release of Kane’s self-titled debut album, which has since accumulated over one million streams on Spotify alone, as well as receiving support from BBC 1xtra, Romesh Ranganathan, SBTV and many more.

Following two sold out headline shows, main stage festival performances and a string of support slots for artists such as KRS-One and Skinnyman, Kane is now preparing to release his sophomore project ‘The Northern Quarter’ in January 2023.

Plus special guest Rowan James.