Another legend coming to the O2 this month are alternative old-school hip-hop superstars The Pharcyde. A unique west-coast voice giving an LA take on east-coast style Native Tongues and jazz rap, the Pharcyde have cemented their place in rap history with their inventive musicality and witty, tongue-in-cheek lyricism.
Formed in 1989 from Imani, Slimkid3, Bootie Brown, and Fatlip, the Pharcyde originally came out of the first three's ambitions as dancers, with Bootie Brown describing in 2009 how their origins impact their music: "Sometimes the way I rap is almost like the way I used to dance." The group released their first studio album, Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde, in 1992 - which was certified Gold in 1996.
Joining the Pharcyde are also another golden-age hip-hop legend: Lords of the Underground. Formed out of New Jersey, Lords of the Underground are classic hardcore east coast rap held up as an exemplar of golden-age hip-hop - placed on Spin's "50 Best Rap Albums of 1993" and charting multiple singles with their debut album Here Come the Lords.
With these two hip-hop powerhouses coming together in a genre-crashing rap madhouse, this isn’t a gig to miss for true hip-hop fans.
The O2 Academy leads the way in Bristol when it comes to top-drawer live acts. Located on Frogmore Street in the city centre, the venue has seen some of the world’s top artists on its stage over the years and continues to fill its programme with a huge mix of established and emerging talent.
The 1,600-capacity club is capable of hosting intimate gigs as well as unforgettable, explosive live shows, thanks to a tiered setup that ensures the whole crowd is close to the stage. At sold-out events the lower standing area gets hot and sweaty, with the upper decks allowing for some respite and providing alternative views.