Edinburgh rappers Young Fathers will headline the Refugee Week Concert in Perth Concert Hall on Tuesday 16 June. Described by The Scotsman as ‘the next big thing in hip-hop', the up and coming young band has just released its first album and has already toured in Scotland and London.
Formed five years ago, the exciting and energetic three-piece comprises Liberian born Ally Massaquoi who moved to Edinburgh with his family when he was four; Kayus Bankole who was born in Scotland and lived in Nigeria and the US before returning as a teenager and Graham ‘G' Hastings who is Edinburgh born and bred.
The group bonded through their love of hip hop and clubs along with a drive to fuse other elements into their music. All three grew up listening to Soul, Reggae, African music and Pop. And all these elements are very deeply embedded into their music.
Already making a lot of noise on the circuit, Young Fathers have featured on Skins Radio, recorded sessions for Radio One and BBC Radio Scotland's Vic Galloway. They also composed the theme music for forthcoming E4 TV series Jack Whitehall Secret Censure (which they also take part in).
Sharing the bill at the Refugee Week Concert are Perth's own Day of Days, a four-piece alternative rock/dance ‘explosion' of Australian origin who are busy taking their infectious sound to the top venues and festivals all over Scotland. The band's ever growing fan base believes big things lie just around the corner for them.
Other acts performing in the concert, which celebrates the contribution of refugees to the UK, are singer/songwriter Sarah Coloso and Our Future Glory both based in Dundee.
Refugee Week is a UK-wide programme of arts, cultural and educational events. Refugee Week 2009 will take place from 15 to 21 June.
Tickets and event info are available from Horsecross www.horsecross.co.uk, or call the Horsecross Box Office on 01738 621 031.