BLK SCL! Spotlight: Manchester with Che3kz
Manchester’s Black music scene is built on community, culture and resilience.
Manchester has always moved to its own rhythm — and Che3kz is one of the artists carrying that energy right now. Manchester-born and at the forefront of the UK’s rap, grime and drum & bass movement, she’s known for high-energy performances and a genre-blending sound that cuts through fast.
She first grabbed major attention with her viral punchline “Seven Sizzling Sausages” on Pengame Rap Battle — quickly amassing over 100 million views across social media. The moment didn’t just live online either: it was later released as a single and earned over 300K views on YouTube.
Her breakout year in 2025 was relentless. Che3kz delivered 50+ performances and media appearances, including 30+ live shows reaching around 18,000 people — with standout moments at Wireless, Leeds Festival, Sidewinder and Manchester International Festival. Alongside the live run, she released a number of singles including My Block, cementing her growing reputation as both a powerful performer and recording artist.
Beyond music, her cultural reach keeps expanding. She’s supported JLS on tour, collaborated with global brands including Red Bull, Puma, Footlocker, Adidas, Nike, New Balance and BoohooMAN, earned BBC 1Xtra’s Ladies of Grime MVP, and continues to engage audiences online — surpassing 150 million cumulative views across digital platforms.
BS!: How would you describe the Black music scene in your city to someone who’s never experienced it before?
Manchester’s Black music scene is built on community, culture and resilience. It’s a place where people create opportunities for themselves and each other, and that’s what makes it special. You’ve got influences from African and Caribbean cultures blending with the city’s rich musical history, creating a sound that’s diverse, exciting and constantly evolving. Whether it’s Afrobeats, rap, grime, dancehall, R&B or Amapiano-inspired sounds, there’s a real hunger to create something fresh. The scene is full of talent, innovation and collaboration, with artists, DJs, promoters and creatives all playing their part in pushing the culture forward.
BS!: What makes your city’s Black music culture distinct from anywhere else in the UK?
Manchester has always done things its own way. We don’t follow trends just because they’re popular elsewhere. Artists here tend to build their own communities and sounds rather than chasing what’s happening in London. There’s a real underdog mentality in the city — people don’t wait for validation, they get on with it and build. There’s also a strong mix of cultures here, which naturally influences the music and creates something unique. That independence and authenticity is what gives Manchester its own identity and energy.
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?
A lot of credit goes to the generations before us who created opportunities when there weren’t many available. From local sound-system culture and community radio to early grime, hip-hop and R&B pioneers in Manchester, they built platforms from the ground up. You still see that influence today through independent events, grassroots promoters, youth-led creative spaces and artists supporting each other outside of traditional industry structures.
The people before us opened doors, and now it’s on our generation to keep building and create opportunities for the next wave. Places like Studio 88 are a great example of that, giving artists the space not only to develop their music but also to better understand themselves, build their confidence and develop their brand. Those kinds of spaces are important because they help turn talent into sustainable careers and keep the culture moving forward.
BS!: What Black tastemakers in your city should we know about?
Manchester is full of tastemakers who are pushing the culture forward in different ways. You’ve got people like P1Caps, Rahika, Roberto, Larboonz, Rush, KIME, Ondah, Medulla, I Am DDB, Kay Rico, Sleazy F, Black Josh and Grumpy, alongside DJs such as G2 and Chase, who help break records, set the vibe and connect artists with audiences. Hosts and personalities like Faro and radio host KJ also play a huge role in shaping the culture, creating spaces for conversations, discovery and community.
What I love about Manchester is that the scene isn’t built around one gatekeeper or one movement. It’s a network of artists, DJs, hosts, promoters, creatives and cultural leaders all playing their part. The names I’ve mentioned are doing important work, but there are loads more people behind the scenes making things happen every day. That’s what makes the city special — a genuine community that’s constantly creating, collaborating and pushing Black culture forward.
BS!: If you could change one thing to help Black music and culture thrive in your city over the next five years, what would it be?
I’d like to see more long-term investment in Black creatives and cultural infrastructure. Not just one-off opportunities, but sustainable funding, more accessible creative spaces, better industry pathways and stronger support for independent artists. The talent has never been the issue in Manchester. We already have world-class artists, DJs and creatives. What we need is consistent investment and belief in the culture so people can build lasting careers without feeling like they have to leave the city to succeed.
For more on Che3kz: @officialche3kz
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.