BEMZ (UK)

BEMZ (UK) Crowned as BBC Introducing’s inaugural ‘Scottish Act of the Year’ and armed with imminent new music, BEMZ – aka Jubemi Iyiku – is only getting started. Born in Nigeria, BEMZ moved to South London with his parents and six siblings when he was just four. Ten years later, his father decided he should escape the chaos of London and move north to Scotland, where he lived with his aunt and uncle in Stranraer. It was here that BEMZ found his voice. From freestyling with his brother at the age of 15; to studying sound production in Ayrshire college; to eventually moving to Glasgow, where he made his Scottish Album of the Year Award nominated 2020 debut album ‘Saint of Lost Causes’, BEMZ’ lyrical journey is tangible proof that rap’s cultural reach stretches far beyond London and the English borders.

Championed by the likes of Radio 1’s Gemma Bradley and DJ Target, BEMZ received Pick of the Week by BBC 1Xtra earlier this year, with previous single ‘26’ receiving Track of the Week. Delivering a raw, emotionally charged view of life, but never falling into the clichéd trappings that often come with that territory, BEMZ’ sound stands out for being strikingly honest and unrestrained. Last year he released his highly anticipated second EP ‘M4’, before becoming the winner of Best Live Act in the Scottish Alternative Music Awards. Since then, BEMZ has embarked on a UK-wide tour supporting The Snuts, sold out 3 headline shows in his home city of Glasgow, named as the 5th most influential creative person in Scotland by culture and lifestyle magazine, The List. His forthcoming EP is set for release in April 2023 with his biggest headline show now on sale in Glasgow’s renowned SWG3.

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