Scottish hip hop is making a breakthrough

Genres of music ebb and flow in popularity and this has been true of the UK music industry for decades. But in recent years, hip hop has broken through in a way that underlines its enduring prevalence in popular culture and beyond – both in commercial terms and as an inclusive and accessible artform. 

As a BPI (British Phonographic Industry) report last year noted: “The genre now accounts for well over a fifth of all UK singles consumption – which is a six-fold increase on 1999,” a figure that offers some insight into its clearly growing demand. 
 
Though UK hip hop emerged from the streets of inner-city London, more localised scenes have existed and have been thriving since the 80s, including in Scotland. Names like II Tone Committee, Krack Free Media and Blacka’nized are just some examples that helped establish the scene and put Scotland on the map. 

Fast forward to 2022 and hip hop in Scotland is in an extremely healthy place and showing no signs of slowing down, with rappers, producers, DJs and more building on the legacy of the pioneers by innovating and collaborating in new and exciting ways.

Youth music initiatives 

My journey with hip hop stretches back to my early teens when music videos by the likes of Missy Elliott and TLC occupied most of my brain space. But my love for music, regardless of genre, began in primary school when my mum happened upon a slightly scuffed violin in a charity shop and signed me up for lessons. 

Not long after, I was in every extra-curricular music group and playing more instruments thanks to a bursary from my school that allowed free music lessons. Without that initial encouragement and funding, my relationship with music would have been very different – I doubt I would have connected to hip hop in the same way or made it such a significant part of my career. 
 
In the context of budget cuts, cost-of-living woes and other financial hurdles facing the arts, the existence of a new generation of innovators in Scottish hip hop is sadly not guaranteed, despite the popularity of the genre with young creatives. 

Targeted funding and support from programmes like the Youth Music Initiative (YMI) is required for communities like hip hop in Scotland and its emerging talent to truly blossom. As was the case in my musical journey, such funding has the power to shape and foster unexpected creative paths. 

Breaking down the barriers

When the Scottish Government launched the Youth Music Initiative in 2003, the primary goal was to break down barriers to music education, giving children the opportunity to participate and flourish in music-related activities. 

Twenty years later, the programme remains the main funding channel for youth music projects in Scotland. It reaches more than 360,000 children and young people, with 86% of funding specifically targeting areas of socio-economic deprivation. 
 
Since its inception, the fund has annually supported children in local schools with free tuition, as well as national programmes like Hit the Road and Music Plus from the Scottish Music Centre and groups such as Drake Music Scotland, Intercultural Youth Scotland and Feis Rois. 

But more recently, the YMI fund has been a game changer when it comes to the support and subsequent burgeoning of less traditional genres of music; namely, hip hop. This year alone, YMI has been a vital force in ensuring that hip hop in Scotland and those involved in making, promoting and disseminating it, are given the voice they deserve. 

Funding changes lives and legitimises undervalued artforms

Projects supported through the YMI fund include Scotland’s first hip hop conference, PITCH; UP2STNDRD’s programme of workshops focused on access to music-making with an insight into the creative industries; and the Scottish Hip Hop Bursary, a partnership between Sunny G Radio, UP2STNDRD, 644 Studios and Creative Scotland, which assists artists working in hip hop with the development of their practice. 

In addition, some of the country’s finest up-and-coming rappers have benefitted from events and initiatives funded by YMI and wider Creative Scotland teams, including Bemz, Psweatpants and Edz. 
 
Funding changes lives but such support also legitimises artforms that haven’t always been valued. Hip hop, in Scotland and in the wider world, is still often considered ‘low culture’ but its music, poetry, art and fashion are an important illustration of modern life, political movements and societal change. 

At its core, hip hop is a compelling expression of marginalised experience. Funds like YMI are essential not only in providing financial assistance but also in giving young people the chance to develop their confidence and skills in music genres that they relate to. YMI has put music at the heart of young people’s lives for 20 years and as it continues, hip hop will inevitably become a key part of its story. 

Arusa Qureshi is a writer and editor based in Edinburgh.
@arusaqureshi