Roots Manuva & MK
Bestival are proud to present the crown prince of U.K. Hip Hop, Roots Manuva.
From his youth on the streets of South London, Rodney Smith's imagination was caught by the areas many soundsystems that would spring up in skate parks and warehouses, the music they played being in direct contradiction to his strict Pentecostal upbringing, it was this music would be his escape.
By the time Rodney started to write and record his own tracks as Roots Manuva he had learned to combine these diverse influences to produce a raft of streetwise, socially conscious Hip Hop that questioned everything from religion and globalisation to the standards that we all live by, he very quickly became the voice of urban Britain and a flag bearer for the country's inner city underclasses.
His debut album Brand New Second Hand changed the face of U.K. rap and hip hop completely, never before had a U.K. artist produced a collection of rhymes shot through with as much intelligence and quality as this, his impact on the scene is immeasurable, his influence visible in everyone that has followed, from Dizzy Rascal to Lethal Bizzle, everyone cites Roots Manuva as the man who set the bar.
His second album Run Come Save Me spawned Roots Manuva's defining all time classic moment in the form of Witness (1 Hope) which was voted greatest U.K.
Hip Hop tune of all time by readers of Hip Hop Connection. As well as his own productions the man has collaborated with the worlds finest from DJ Shadow to Mr Scruff, Gorillaz to Leftfield and most recently the mighty Coldcut. He's also set up his own record label in the form of Banana Clan Records which he not only uses to release his own output but also to showcase the talents of the nations up and coming urban talent.
A true original, an innovator, educator and entertainer Roots Manuva lands at this year's Bestival for a MC and DJ show that promises to be a highlight of the festival.
www.rootsmanuva.co.uk