Oakzy B, Scotland On Sunday, 13 August 2023
Oakzy B | The Musicians' Union Artist of the Week in Scotland On Sunday, 13 August 2023
Words by Derick Mackinnon and Olaf Furniss. Read on Scotsman.com
While some mothers listen to classical music when they are pregnant, Oakzy B’s arrival into this world was primed with the sound of Tupac Shakur and classic hip-hop. So, it should come as no surprise that by the age of six he was already penning his own rap lyrics, a skill which was further honed by listening to grime on pirate radio stations in London, where he spent his early years.
A move to Glasgow’s Calton neighbourhood in his teens, saw him embrace makina (a modern take on happy hardcore), and along with his schoolmate and regular collaborator, MC Tiny, he began putting out tracks on Soundcloud, going on to garner millions of streams.
In parallel, he has also developed a catalogue of grime tracks, leading to a finalist finish on the BBC’s Rap Game UK and some respectable radio attention. He continues in this musical vein, with the release of his self-scripted short film, Scheme Politics, inspired by and filmed in Calton, although fans of his makina output can look forward to a fresh mix tape in time for Christmas.
Oakzy B plays St Lukes in Glasgow on 19 August as part of the Pitch Scotland showcase event visit https://soundcloud.com/oakzy187
The Musicians’ Union represents over thirty-three thousand musicians working in all sectors of the music business. As well as negotiating on behalf of its members with all the major employers in the industry, the MU offers a range of services for self-employed professional and student musicians of all ages. The Union helps musicians in the live arena, recording and broadcasting, the orchestral sector, in education, and as music writers and composers. For more information, please visit https://theMU.org/
Want featured as our Artist of the Week? Visit https://www.newfoundsound.co.uk/scotland-on-sunday email Akira Kasinata / Erin Glynn music@newfoundsound.co.uk