Introducing HANG, a new Scottish hip-hop and grime event

Hip-hop’s influence on contemporary music and society in general is huge, although here in Scotland the genre still remains on the periphery, despite the creativity and vibrancy of the scene. HANG – a new educational and cultural programme designed to support Scottish hip-hop and grime artists in making their next steps in the industry – hopes to make hip-hop more central to our music culture.

Alan Morrison, Head of Music at Creative Scotland, explains: “HANG will pull together some of the country’s best-known artists, industry organisations and international partners to interrogate pre-conceptions about the genre and the barriers that restrict access. It’s time to shine a light on those artists whose voices reflect 21st-century Scotland and deserve to be heard by the wider world.”

The inaugural HANG (full title: Hip-Hop Aimed Networking with Grime), which is presented by the Scottish Alternative Music Awards (SAMA) in partnership with Creative Scotland, is a free event taking place online and in-person at Glasgow's SWG3 on Saturday 31 July. “With HANG our ambition is to empower artists and those working in music offering expert music panels featuring key members of the industry, and providing new networking opportunities,” explains Richy Muirhead, Scottish Alternative Music Awards’ producer.

The hybrid one-dayer aims to celebrate the diversity of Scotland’s hip-hop and grime communities, and will feature performances, new talent showcases and panel discussions on the practicalities of building a career as a hip-hop performer. There’ll also be a series of workshops celebrating other elements of hip-hop culture like breakdancing, spoken word, DJ-ing and graffiti.

Some of the most exciting names on Scotland's vibrant hip-hop scene will be taking part in the first HANG, such as Scottish Album of the Year 2020 winner Nova, Aberdeen MC Ransom FA and award-winning author/artist Darren McGarvey. DJ Tiffany Calver will also be at HANG for an on-stage conversation with BBC Introducing in Scotland’s Shereen Cutkelvin – she'll be discussing her career trajectory from blogging about hip-hop and grime to becoming the first female host of BBC Radio 1Xtra’s The Rap Show.

HANG will come to a close with a showcase of performances from Scottish talent, and if you’re an emerging hip-hop or grime artist, you have a chance to play at the event by submitting your music to HANG in June. Registration to attend HANG also opens next month. 

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Online and in-person at Glasgow's SWG3 on Saturday 31 July; the full HANG programme is announced in June

For more information, visit officialsama.com/hang or follow SAMA's Twitter and Instagram