If 2020 has been good for one thing, it’s giving artists precious time to focus on making new music. So, as we’ve all been cooped up at home for the majority of the year, hip-hop artist Britizen Kane has been a busy man.
The Manchester-born rapper is due to drop his 12-track self-titled debut album on Friday 4 December.
As expected, the tracklist is brimming with collaborations with top name rappers and hip-hop artists. The likes of Awate, Shogun, Jadakiss and fellow Manc Blizzard have all joined Kane to bring together this showcase of true talent.
The album has been exclusively produced, mixed and mastered by Turkish Dcypha. This guy is no stranger to top class production. Turkish has a hefty collection of projects under his belt. He’s worked on records with Giggs, JME, Stefflon Don and Wretch 32 to name just a few.
So, we’re in good hands.
Britizen Kane
On the release, Kane said: “I’m really excited to release my debut album. It’s been a great pleasure to work so closely with Turkish Dcypha on it and I hope people enjoy listening to it as much as we did creating it.
“My favourite track is The Great Escape. I feel like it serves as a statement of ‘this album is the end of the beginning and it’s all upwards from here’.”
Kane has already released a handful of the tracks over the past few months, ahead of the album. These include ‘Cheat Code’, ‘Ad-lib’, ‘Going For The Head’ and ‘Tyson Fury’.
Together, they’ve totalled nearly half a million streams on Spotify. But it’s easy to see why. Kane’s effortless flow and fierce rhymes make it look so easy.
In fact, the third release, ‘Tyson Fury’, has pricked the attention of the Gypsy King himself. Apparently, the song has even made it to the boxer’s training playlist. And we can just imagine him blasting this through the gym.
During early stages of the album, Kane also had the privilege of working with Fred The Godson before he tragically lost his life to Covid-19 earlier this year.
In a fitting gesture, Kane pays tribute to the late American rapper on the track ‘No Pressure’.
All in all, there are big things on the horizon for the Manchester lyricist Britizen Kane. With an interview and full album play taking place on BBC Introducing at the weekend, Kane is taking it all in his stride.
You can listen to the new album on Friday 4 December on all platforms.
Audio
Royel Otis add second Manchester date due to massive demand
Danny Jones
Australian indie pop group Royel Otis have announced a second Manchester date ahead of their upcoming UK tour due to a huge demand for tickets.
The Aussie duo, who have blown up in the past couple of years with tracks like ‘Oysters In My Pocket’ and two viral covers of Sophie Ellis-Bextor and The Cranberries, are due to play a massive Manchester gig later this year.
Set to make their O2 Victoria Warehouse debut this winter, the ‘Sofa King’ singers saw their ticket allocation sell out quicker than you can say ‘Going Kokomo’.
As a result, there was only one thing for it:
Due to demand, @RoyelOtis have just added an extra date at Manchester @O2VicWarehouse in November! 🔥
For anyone still unaware of the rising alt-pop outfit led by frontman Otis Pavlovic and Royel Maddell (hence the name), they began breaking onto the scene around 2022 after having released a couple of tracks the year prior.
Although they quickly gained support back in their home country, their presence over here and indeed around the world was helped no end after their tripleJ take on ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’ and stripped-back version of ‘Linger’ for SiriusXM hit the internet.
They even managed to land a feature on EA FC 24 – formerly known as FIFA – and we all know how getting on that soundtrack can transform careers.
Since then, their following has grown exponentially, and the rising double act has booked major festival slots such over the past 12 months or so, playing the likes of Kendal Calling, Glastonbury, as well as Reading and Leeds, just to name a few.
Regardless, fervent fans haven’t seen their clamour disappear, and now the band have announced an extra date at Victoria Warehouse.
Now set to play the venue on Friday AND Saturday, 28-29 November 2025, they will be supported by an opening act with a cool UK connection: Still Blank.
The transatlantic outfit is made up of Jordy is from Hawaii, and Ben, from right here in Manchester; the two come together to make what Stereogum has described as “sullen folk-grunge” – yet more reason for locals to be interested in the gig.
Once again, while the first gig has sold out, you can grab your tickets for Royel Otis’ second Manchester show HERE.
There’s a VR K-pop experience coming to a cinema in Manchester
Thomas Melia
A VR experience dedicated to a much-loved K-pop group, ENHYPEN, is making its way to a cinema screen in Manchester this Autumn.
After a stellar performance at AO Arena in Manchester earlier this week, a VR experience dedicated to K-pop group ENHYPEN is coming to a cinema screen in the city centre.
This upcoming experience with the fitting name ‘IMMERSION’, will mark the K-pop group’s first ever VR concert and is premiering across the globe, including right here in Manchester.
Featuring all-new performances, this pre-recorded concert experience allows you the chance to immerse yourself in never-before-seen content that has been specifically produced for VR.
This cinematic concert concept allows fans the chance to watch their favourite live bands and acts up close and personal without having to break the bank.
Made in partnership with Amaze, one of the world’s leading immersive concert creators, previous performers include fellow K-pop acts Aespa, Tomorrow X Together and KAI, as well as rap megastar Megan Thee Stallion.
Get ready to sing your heart out or ‘Scream’ as loud as you can when ENHYPEN take to the screen as they’re expected to perform all their usual classics, including ‘XO (Only If You Say Yes)’ and ‘Bad Desire (With or Without You)’.
If you’re worried about missing your chance to get ‘Loose’, don’t worry, because these seven K-pop stars will be on cinema screens for nine consecutive dates throughout September.
K-pop boy band ENHYPEN took to the AO Arena in Manchester earlier this week (Credit: BELIFT LAB)
This exclusive ENHYPEN VR concert experience is coming to none other than international cinema chain Odeon, which will be screening this event at one of its prime Manc locations: The Trafford Centre.
ENHYPEN are bringing ‘IMMERSION’, their first-ever VR concert experience, to Odeon Trafford Centre in Manchester from 19 September until 28 September.
You’ll catch us there ‘No Doubt’ – more information HERE.
In the meantime, why not read our review of ENHYPEN’s recent Manchester show, which served as yet more proof that we need to get properly into K-pop.
Hannah Starkie -
4th December 2020 
