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Let me introduce you to Freyed Knot. I was lucky enough to see their live set a few weeks ago at the STIR festival in Bradford where the band performed in front ofΜύ an electric milk float that doubled up as a stage, transportation and fuss creator for all sorts of musical happenings that weekend. ΜύFreyed Knot are hip hop/funk collective from your very own Bradford. With a strong live band including membersΜύ Jay5ive, Ben the 2nd, P, Nick the Racist (who isn't actually racist!), Miki B and fronted by MCs JND and EXP, this band are set to be BIG!

Singing in the rain

As the rain started to pour during Freyed Knot's set, the band proved that nothing could stop them entertaining the crowd. JND and EXP managed to keep spirits high with their witty freestyles which involved rapping about the dancing skills of a drunk passer by!

French Sticks

Bread in Bradford got publicity-hitting headlines as Ben asked for help from locals in his album photo shoot. As soon as I picked up the album I started to grin seeing a young boy holding a loaf of bread in Bradford's Centenary Square! But, more giggles were to come once I opened the case... Ben has cleverly photographed a number of Bradfordians fighting with crusty breadsticks, eating a seedy granary loaf, cradling soft whites and much, much, more. 'Bread in BRADFORD!' You've got to love the creativity.

Starting out by writing poems as a child, a string of influential people including Roots Manuva, Nas, and Jehst have made Hip Hop an obsession for Ben. With Bread in Bradford taking just over two years to make, EXP has managed to find his own unique Yorkshire sound. Collaborating with JND from Freyed Knot on one of my favourite tracks on the album, Never Look Back, with its uplifting lyrics, Ben manages to prove that he is definitely bred in Bradford with his broad Yorkshire accent and absolutely no trace of the typical American or London twang in his voice.

"I got this far so I'll never look back
Sometimes I fail but I'm better than that
I need to take more than a second to act
Breathing deeper when the pressure is stacked."
Never Look Back, EXP ft JND.

Hip Hop culture in West Yorkshire is growing by the day, and there are definitely artists out there doing very well. But, I can't help but support the people out there who are staying true to who they are without feeling the needΜύ to follow the majority. Bread in Bradford is an album which, from start to finish, stays true to EXP's Bradford roots. From the humorous Internet Girls to Escapism featuring guest MC Mucka Steez, each and every track tells a different and creative story that you can relate to.

Bread in Bradford is an album that should be listened to by everyone in Bradford and West Yorkshire, to prove that Hip Hop does live up here in the north!

To find out more about EXP, Freyed Knot and Bread in Bradford check out the link at the top of the page.