Rapper J.Chambers’ new song ‘Sirens’ examines media negativity and the challenges that young people of colour experience as they attempt to move up the social ladder.
Coming from a Jamaican family, there’s a nod to his heritage in his music. J.Chambers draws influences from reggae and UK rap, to pull together a thought-provoking soundscape. In doing so, his music often delves deep into themes of cultural identity and racial equality.
‘Sirens’ is no exception.
The idea for the track plays a on story from Greek mythology. The sirens were said to be a distracting force that would lead ships off course and into destruction.
J uses this metaphor to symbolise the dangers that young black people face as they navigate through life – with those dangers referring to perceived threats of police brutality and internalised media negativity.
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Speaking about the release, J said: “Sirens is a song about liberation and freedom, realising that our freedom can only come from focus. But also, sirens is about the distractions and obstacles we have to overcome to get there. It has a dual meaning and is probably one of my personal favourites from the upcoming LP.”
The song, featuring Dutch reggae collective Dei.3avu, is taken from J’s upcoming LP Escape The Kingdom which drops on 26 February. The LP forms an autobiographical piece that provides an insight into the challenges of growing up Black and British.
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Originally from Blackley in North Manchester, he’s been known to refer to himself as “the token black kid”, because of the largely white-British working-class area.
But fast forward to 2021 and he’s driving change and conversation around race in the community.
Now a leader of Manchester’s BLM movement, J has found a space to express his passionate yet political side – and he’s a force to be reckoned with.
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Political nuances are articulated through much of his work. Previous tracks such as Kill The Noise alongside Jahkiri, makes particular references to Grenfell, the Tories and conspiracies. J is not afraid to say what a lot of people are thinking.
Not only is J a musician, but a spoken word poet too – and you can also hear this in his rhythmic style.
In honour of Black History Month back in October, J was invited onto Blue Peter to perform a specially written poem.
Speaking about hate, change and freedom, the powerful tribute was a celebration of identity and showed young people why using your voice matters so much.
Despite a history of activism and a back-catalogue brimming with successful tracks and performances alongside big names (including an unexpected visit from Kendrick Lamar nonetheless), J manages to remain modest and humble. But regardless of that, his music and poetry speak volumes.
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Listen to Sirens here and stay up to date with J.Chambers on his socials:
Co-op Live went ahead with a test event with Rick Astley last Saturday, albeit with a capacity that was reduced at the eleventh hour.
But the huge venue was hit with ‘power supply issues’ and took the ‘difficult decision’ to postpone Peter Kay.
It’s now gone one step further and pushed back The Black Keys – meant to be their first proper live music event – as well as Peter Kay AGAIN.
In a statement shared today, the Co-op Live said it has been ‘undertaking an extensive protocol of testing critical procedures to ensure all areas are ready for fans’.
It said that the shows are being rescheduled to ensure they can ‘run safely’.
The 23,500-capacity arena said this will give them ‘the extra time we need to continue testing enhanced emergency communications thoroughly’.
The Black Keys will now perform on 15 May, and Peter Kay on 23 and 24 May.
As for the Bolton-born comedian, he sounds somewhat in disbelief himself:
Co-op Live’s statement reads: “Since making the difficult decision to postpone the live shows at Co-op Live due to take place this week, we have been undertaking an extensive protocol of testing critical procedures to ensure all areas are ready for fans.
“To ensure that we can run all shows safely, regretfully we have now had to take the decision to reschedule the planned The Black Keys and Peter Kay shows.
“Both The Black Keys and Peter Kay have graciously agreed to reschedule their shows. The Black Keys will now perform on 15 May 2024, and Peter Kay will now perform on 23 and 24 May 2024.
“All tickets remain valid and ticket holders will be contacted by their point of purchase. Refunds will be available for those who can no longer attend.
“We deeply appreciate the impact this will have on excited fans, and sincerely apologise for the inconvenience that this change will undoubtedly cause.
“Rescheduling Peter Kay and The Black Keys will give us the extra time we need to continue testing enhanced emergency communications thoroughly.
“This is vital to satisfy the rigorous set of guidelines and protocols that are necessary for a venue of this size to ensure that our fans, artists and staff have the safest experience possible.”
Co-op Live boss resigns just days before venue’s official opening
Daisy Jackson
The boss of Co-op Live, Manchester’s enormous, ground-breaking new arena, has resigned from his position just days before the venue is set to open.
The enormous music-first arena has been taking shape beside the Etihad Stadium for several years, and was due to welcome its first official audiences this week, but has been hit with last-minute challenges.
And now Co-op Live‘s boss Gary Roden has quit the mammoth project, with the news of his resignation announced late Thursday evening.
Oak View Group, which Co-op Live is part of, said in a statement that they would like to ‘thank Gary for his help bringing the UK’s newest arena to live entertainment fans’.
Stepping into his shoes as interim general manager will be Rebecca Kane Burton, who previously ran the U.K.’s highest-grossing venue, London’s The O2 arena.
Gary has previously come under fire for saying that some grassroots music venues ‘poorly run’ – a statement that OVG has now distanced itself from.
A separate statement said that ‘neither Co-op Live nor Oak View Group share the sentiment expressed by former Co-op Live General Manager Gary Roden regarding the grassroots industry’.
It continued: “As OVG Chairman and CEO Tim Leiweke has repeatedly stated, Co-op Live remains committed to grassroots music in Manchester and beyond, including teaming up with Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham on the Artist of the Month campaign, and as a founding partner of Beyond The Music.
“Co-op Live also donates over £1m a year to the Co-op Foundation to support communities and empower young people to take social action through its new Young Gamechangers fund.
“Oak View Group and Co-op Live remain happy to meet with grassroots organisations once the venue is fully operational.”
The news of the venue’s boss stepping down comes at a time when all eyes are on Co-op Live, the opening of which has been delayed.
The venue did host a test event with Rick Astley last weekend, but even that faced difficulties, with thousands of tickets cancelled to reduce capacity just hours before showtime.
It’s now set to officially open this Saturday 27 April with a performance by rock group The Black Keys.
The full statement from OVG about Gary’s resignation said: “Gary Roden has decided to resign. We’d like to thank Gary for his help bringing the UK’s newest arena to live entertainment fans and wish him the best for the future.
“Rebecca Kane Burton has been named Interim GM, effective today. Rebecca is a seasoned veteran of venue management and live entertainment in the UK having served as VP/GM of The O2 from 2012-2016 and CEO of LW Theatres from 2016-2021.