BLK SCL! Spotlight: Cardiff with Mace The Great

Create more opportunities for talent on this side of the bridge.

Cardiff's Black music scene might not always dominate national conversations, but according to Mace The Great, it's evolving at an incredible pace.

This week for BLK SCL!, we're heading to the Welsh capital with one of its leading voices. Mace The Great has spent years championing Cardiff's talent while building a reputation as one of Wales' most respected rappers and storytellers. His music is rooted in authenticity, community and culture, consistently shining a light on a city whose creative identity continues to grow.

BS!: How would you describe the Black music scene in your city to someone who's never experienced it before?

I would describe it as something that's growing faster by the day.

BS!: What makes your city's Black music culture distinct from anywhere else in the UK?

Cardiff has multicultural roots, especially with the docks. A lot of our parents and grandparents came through that.

BS!: Who or what laid the foundations for the scene you're part of today, and how do those influences still show up in the new music spaces being made now?

Heartless Crew, Boy Better Know, Roll Deep, Wiley, Chip and Kano to name a few. Without these influences there is no Mace The Great.

BS!: What Black tastemakers in your city should we know about?

Myself, Miss Faithee, Adjua and Aleighcia Scott.

BS!: If you could change one thing to help Black music and culture thrive in Cardiff over the next five years, what would it be?

Structure. More of a pathway to having a career in music, creating more opportunities for talent on this side of the bridge. Cardiff having its own 1Xtra show has always been on my bucket list.

For more on Mace The Great: @macethegreat_

BLK SCL! is building a living map of Black music culture across the North of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland — the scenes creating world-class work even without the resources they deserve.

If you're a Black music artist, organiser, tastemaker or community builder based in the North of England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland (or you know someone we should be speaking to), let us know.