Hip Hop won't stop: The definitive UK/ Ireland Hip Hop Guide
Highlights include: Wiz Khalifa, Immortal Technique, Kendrick Lamar, Macklemore, Tyga, Wu-Tang Clan, KRS-One, Frank Ocean, Jurassic 5, Public Enemy, Eminem and more
Check out our round-up of the best MCs and DJs heading your way for 2013. All prices exclusive of booking fees.
Wiz Khalifa
Returning with his sixth studio album in eight years, Khalifa will perform a string of shows in September, including Glasgow on the 25th, followed by Brixton, Manchester and Birmingham. Tickets are on sale now, priced from £22.50 upwards.
OFWGKTA
OFWGKTA have announced a one-off London gig at the Forum in Kentish Town as part of their European schedule. Also known as 'Odd Future', the group has help launch the careers of Frank Ocean, Tyler, the Creator and The Internet. Tickets cost £17.50 and are on sale now.
Kendrick Lamar
July will see the American chart-topper return to the UK for a handful of headline shows and a Wireless Festival 2013 appearance (on the Saturday - sold out). His solo shows include Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds and cost £25 upward.
Immortal Technique
Prior to supporting KRS-One on his summer dates, Immortal Technique will perform his own headline gigs in Dublin on 8th June (€22.90) and Glasgow on the 11th (£17.50). You can also catch him perform at this year's Meltdown Festival 2013 in London on 16th June (still available at £20).
Wu-Tang Clan
After several members have been performing ad hoc shows recently, the whole clan returns for a brace of 20th-anniversary UK dates in the summer, including Manchester on 25th July and Brixton on 26th July. Tickets on sale now, priced at £34 and £35.50 respectively. The Wu are sure to perform classics from their expansive catalogue.
KRS-One
Celebrating 40 years of hip hop, the self-styled 'Teacha' returns to the UK for shows in June. His first few take place In Brighton (6th June), The Garage in Islington (7th and 8th), Leeds (12th - £14), Manchester (13th - £20 - with Immortal Technique) and he's also appearing in Bristol (featuring Pete Rock, Immortal Technique and Mystro) on 14th June - tickets cost £22. Expect a career-spanning set of solo and BDP work at all shows.
Danny Brown
This prolific American rapper and producer will perform two rare shows in the UK during June including London on the 11th and Brighton on the 12th. His new album "Old" will appear during the summer - meanwhile, tickets for both shows are on sale now, priced at £15-£16.
Pusha T
After issuing several albums with Clipse since the late '90s, Pusha T is going it alone with his new album "My Name is My Name". To support it, he's heading to the UK for a showcase at London's XOYO on 2nd July. More dates may be added in due course. Tickets on sale now, priced at £16.50.
Macklemore
As well as appearing at Wireless Festival 2013 in July and playing a preceding headliner with Ryan Lewis in May (sold out), Macklemore will perform another tour with Lewis in September, with two dates in London, then Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow then Dublin (second Dublin date - 14th Sep just added - 15th now sold out). Tickets on sale now.
Frank Ocean
Prior to his stint at this year's Wireless Festival (see below), the 'Channel Orange' rapper will play two dates at London's Brixton Academy. The dates to remember are 9th and 10th July. Face value tickets were snapped-up in hours, with just resales now available.
Tyga
He's back for more UK action during 2013, including London on 28th May and Manchester on 1st June. Tickets on sale now, priced at £22.50 and £26 respectively. Tyga will also appear in Dublin on 2nd June - tickets cost €28.
Public Enemy
The rap-legends have now been confirmed for Kendal Calling 2013, as well as a string of shows in Dublin, Glasgow, Nottingham and Norwich - tickets for all of them are available now, priced at £25 (€32.50 for the Temple Bar show).
Youngblood Brass Band
Bringing their hypnotic fusion of brass and hip-hop to the UK once again is this acclaimed American ensemble. They have three shows primed for Leeds on 20th May, Manchester on 21st, Shoreditch on 22nd and Brighton on 24th May. Tickets are available for all four, priced at £12.50 (£15 for London).
Jurassic 5
Celebrating 20 years of making music, the LA hip hop collective return with their first UK dates in seven years, with gigs at Manchester's The Parklife Weekender 2013, closely followed by shows in Glasgow, Birmingham and Brixton in June plus Leeds, Bristol and Lovebox 2013 in July, all at various prices (headliners start from £25).
A$AP Rocky
Acclaimed rapper and creator of his debut-album 'proper', "LongLiveASAP", Rocky returns to the UK for a handful of mid-sized shows in May, starting with Brixton on the 21st and 22nd (few tickets remaining for both), then Birmingham (sold out), Manchester (sold out) and Glasgow on the 26th May. Tickets on sale now, priced at £17.50 (£20 for London).
Wireless Festival 2013
Even if Justin Timberlake and Jay-Z are not your bag, (they're headlining Friday and Saturday), for Sunday they are both on the same bill with rap-legends A Tribe Called Quest, playing their first UK slot for two decades, joined by million-selling Nas and young upstart A$AP Rocky. The Legends of the Summer show on the Sunday costs £75. As an added bonus, you can also buy three day tickets to the whole event which also features Snoop Dogg and Wretch 32 on the Friday.
Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde - Live!
After a string of successful shows last year, the classic '90s hip-hop album will be recreated by Fatlip and Slimkid3 once again with shows at London's Garage on 28th June, Manchester on 29th, Glasgow on the 30th, Liverpool on 1st July and Brighton on 8th July. Tickets range from £12.50 - £20 depending on venue.
Eminem
After being confirmed as a headliner at the 2013 Leeds and Reading Festivals, it's no surprise that Marshall Mathers III is going to make his trip to the British Isles even more worthwhile. He has added Slane Castle in Ireland on 17th August with tickets costing €79.50 as well as Glasgow's Bellahouston Park on 20th August - tickets on sale now, costing £55.
Ultramagnetic MCs
It has been 25 years since the release of their excellent debut "Critical Beatdown" so expect renditions of slammers such as "Ego Trippin'" and "Travelling at the Speed of Thought" plus more. Kool Keith and co. will visit the UK this July, stopping-off at Clapham (5th - £20), Brighton (6th - £14.50), Leeds (9th - £16), Glasgow (10th - £17) and Manchester (11th - £16). Expect them to sell quickly.
C2C
As well as appearing at Creamfields 2013, the French turntablists will perform two exclusive London shows in June. The first at Camden's KOKO has sold out but the 20th June show at the Forum is available for £16.50.
Killer Mike
His February NME Awards show in Dalston quickly sold out, possibly prompting him to add a larger show in the Capital on 21st May at XOYO. Tickets are on sale now, priced at £12.
Foreign Beggars
More tour dates have been confirmed by the UK group, as well as a slot at Manchester's The Parklife Weekender 2013 in June. All priced from £13.
Die Antwoord
South Africa's uncompromising hip hop outfit will be performing a trio of shows in the summer with new material, beginning with Dublin on 20th June (€26), Manchester on the 21st (£16.50) and Brixton on the 22nd (£19.50). Tickets on sale now.
Ghostpoet
Slowly but surely, Ghostpoet has been steadily building a full UK tour which now includes Liverpool, Sheffield, Newcastle and many more throughout the spring until a Shoreditch show on 30th May (£8 to £15.50), a slot at Wakefield's Long Division Festival on 8th June (£20 for a wristband) and a slot at Farm Festival in Somerset (26th & 27th July - £50).
Grandmaster Flash
The original turntable-wizard returns with slots at UK festivals, including the Isle of Wight Festival, Camp Bestival in Dorset, Crooked Ways in Yorkshire and Boardmasters Festival in Cornwall later in the summer. Prices vary.
Jaguar Skills
Discover your inner ninja with any one of Jaguar's upcoming shows throughout the spring. Dates include Brighton and Nottingham before he embarks on some serious festival business including We Are FSTVL and Creamfields 2013. £12.50 upwards.
Action Bronson
Albanian-American rapper Bronson will be following up his US Coachella appearance with a whistle-stop visit to London, as well as lining up two albums for release later this year. The Camden KOKO show will take place on 7th June. Tickets on sale now, priced £16.50.
Lil Wayne
Controversial but never a dull moment with Dwayne Carter aka Lil Wayne. Dublin has been confirmed as the first date on his European jaunt in 2013, hosted by the city's O2 venue on 9th October [rescheduled from March].
Wiley
After performing at several festivals over the summer, Wiley will headline his own tour in the autumn in support of recent album "The Ascent". Birmingham is the first stop on 7th Sep, followed by many more until Shepherd's Bush on the 17th - from £14.50.
The Correspondents
Scratching and hip-hop beats coming courtesy of MC Mr Bruce and DJ Chuckles, with a humorous twist added and normally packed-out dancefloors. Catch the duo on tour in the spring, including Brixton (with DJ Format, Reading (with Krafty Kuts) and Guildford. Prices are £12 or less - the London one is only £8!
George Watsky
Recognized US slam-poet (and recent collaborator with our own Kate Nash), Watsky's oeuvre is spoken-word raps with occasional musical interlude. He's been on HBO's Def Poetry and has won several awards and brings his talent to the UK for a handful of comical shows in May. Prices range from £8 to £10. London and Newcastle now sold out - last few tickets remaining for all other dates.
UK B-Boy Championships
Once again, it's the turn of B-Boys (and girls!) across the world to battle it out at this year's championships in London, featuring poppers, crews, DJs and more. The knock-out jam will be held at Islington's Academy on Saturday 12th October, followed by the big one, the final on Sunday 13th at Brixton's Academy. Hosts include Afrika Islam and Crazy Legs. Tickets for the World Finals are on sale now, costing £20.50.
