Context MC

“Destined for big things” – SB.TV “Fragments of post-dubstep combined with that ‘sound’ of the city that Mike Skinner captured so perfectly” – The Huffington Post “Set to make his mark” – The Independent “This is his year” – MOBO Awards “Absolutely brilliant” – Huw Stephens “You’ll understand what the hype is all about after you hit that play button” – MTV It was only in 2008, when Context MC released his debut EP ‘Dialectics’, and, on BBC Radio 1, Huw Stephens introduced everyone to the innovative sound which he deemed “absolutely brilliant”: Dub Hop – dubstep infused hip hop.

“Destined for big things” – SB.TV “Fragments of post-dubstep combined with that ‘sound’ of the city that Mike Skinner captured so perfectly” – The Huffington Post “Set to make his mark” – The Independent “This is his year” – MOBO Awards “Absolutely brilliant” – Huw Stephens “You’ll understand what the hype is all about after you hit that play button” – MTV It was only in 2008, when Context MC released his debut EP ‘Dialectics’, and, on BBC Radio 1, Huw Stephens introduced everyone to the innovative sound which he deemed “absolutely brilliant”: Dub Hop – dubstep infused hip hop. Four years later, and it’s been a rapid rise for Context MC, who has been hotly tipped by everyone from SB.TV, MTV, The MOBO Awards, and The Independent, and, astonishingly for an unsigned artist working out of his bedroom, been daytime playlisted by both MTV Base and BBC Radio 1. Starting out battling in local Norwich clubs, he has gone on to develop music which he describes as “melodic grit” informed by: the dark, bass heavy ambient post-dubstep sound of James Blake; the brooding edge of hip hop’s darker side such as Mobb Deep; the poetic lyricism of indie rock; the energy of grime; and melodic vocal harmonies. It was in 2009 that Context MC established his place in UK underground music, with his second EP ‘Mental Breakdown Music’, and its two lead singles ‘Is It’ and ‘As The Sun Goes Down’. Both tracks were supported across BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra by DJs such as Ras Kwame, who named both tracks his Homegrown Track of the Week upon release, Huw Stephens, and Ace and Vis, who even invited Context to appear live on their show. K Mag described the EP from which the tracks were taken as “blatantly what you need in your life right now”.

An entirely self-organised UK tour throughout the country followed, sharing the bill with acts such as Caspa, Rusko, Joker, Rob Sparx, Friction, Shy FX, Silkie, Commix and Andy C. In 2010, following press from SB.TV, DJ MK (Kiss 100), and RWD Magazine, his UK hip hop anthem ‘Feeling Alone (feat. Genesis Elijah and Well Red) was released to critical acclaim, and again, strong backing from BBC 1Xtra, namely the Hip Hop M1X Show with Charlie Sloth, who then invited Context to participate in his online freestyle series ‘Fire in the Phone Booth’. The year ended with his wildly popular bootleg of Tinchy Styder’s ‘Game Over’, a track endorsed by Boxfresh clothing, and another single, ‘Breathe In (feat. Nico Lindsay)’ which one again, BBC 1Xtra jumped on, naming their Unsigned Track of the Week, and Twin B named it his Best of British (alongside Ed Sheeran and P Money’s track ‘Family’). 2011 began with the release of the single ‘Off With Their Heads (feat.

Vertex of Marvell)’. Again, BBC 1Xtra backed the tune, and the groundbreaking independent video, directed, filmed and edited by Context himself, which starred Ed Sheeran, Jamal Edwards of SB.TV and more famous faces, was playlisted by MTV Base. Industry endorsement flooded in from the likes of MTV, K Mag, SB.TV, DJ Semtex, The Independent, The Huffington Post (USA) (who named him of their top 5 UK Underground Artists) and more. Context went on to be shortlisted for Glastonbury’s Emerging Talent Competition, was invited to Maida Vale and Abbey Road by BBC Introducing, performed at I Luv Live, was made a featured artist on myspace’s homepage alongside Britney Spears, Kings of Leon and Lady GaGa, and was invited to participate in SB.TVs incredibly success series of ‘Warm Up Sessions’.

His biggest commercial success however was yet to come. ‘Listening to Burial’ was released in mid-2011, with yet another incredible, independently made music video which was premiered by MTV. The track has received unbelievable radio backing, from the likes of Mistajam, Ace and Vis, Charlie Sloth’s Breakfast Show and the Hip Hop M1X Show on BBC Radio 1Xtra, and from BBC Radio 1, whose Street Music Correspondent Joseph ‘JP’ Patterson named it one his Top 3 Tracks of the Month. The track was also supported by Huw Stephens on BBC Radio 1, and added to his Best of Introducing Podcast. Off the back of such undeniable, completely independent support, with no radio pluggers or external help, ‘Listening to Burial’ was added to the BBC Radio 1 daytime playlist on October 24th 2011, and was played by every single daytime DJ, including: Edith Bowman, Fearne Cotton, Nick Grimshaw, Annie Mac, Scott Mills, Dev and Greg James.

On top of this, he released a huge Drum and Bass Remix of Listening to Burial which earned over 150,000 hits on YouTube in its first month, was the cover star of UKB Magazine, a magazine with a circulation of over 30,000, was asked to collaborate with U.S hip hop legend Vast Aire (one half of Cannibal Ox), and earned sponsorship from clothing company Carhartt (who also endorse The XX). Now, the world is waiting for Context MC’s third major EP release; ‘The Cadmean Victory’. Set to feature his biggest releases of the last year, as well as exiciting original material, this will be one release not to be missed! User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License and may also be available under the GNU FDL..