February 15, 2009
SO Empire
(WW / 15/02.2009) Lowkey is a Poet, Playwright, Political Activist and award winning Hip Hop Artist who has received airplay on numerous major radio stations including BBC Radio 1, Capital FM, Kiss FM, Choice FM and BBC 1Xtra and toured internationally performing to crowds everywhere from Glastonbury and Trafalgar Square to Germany and Amsterdam. Born 1986 at St. Georges Hospital in Tooting to a British father from Dover and an Arab mother, herself born in Baghdad. Lowkey is a much needed bridge between many different worlds. He first made his name at the age of 17, attending the open mic sessions which took place at the infamous Deal Real record shop on Carnaby Street, Central London in 2003. The first time he went, another MC by the name of Loki, who had previously been a regular at the weekly open mic, confronted him and they battled for use of the name. Lowkey was named the winner by the audience and other MC's present. He has attracted a large fan base and much critical acclaim since the release of his Key to the Game mix CD series, winning awards for Best Newcomer 2005 at the Lyric Pad Hip Hop Awards and in Undercover Magazine. Logic and Lowkey are co-founders of non profit organization The Peoples Army, started in Brixton, South London. They took part in the NSPCC's "Don't Hide It" campaign in 2007, recording an exclusive track for the project. News has also leaked about a supergroup band project named Mongrel. The band includes members of the Arctic Monkeys, Babyshambles and Reverend and the Makers. Lowkey is also a member of rap group Poisonous Poets and international network Catch 22 started by New York legend Kool G Rap. Catch 22 includes Immortal Technique, DJ Skully, Nino Bless, and Stylah. Lowkey entered the Sunrise Poetry Slam at the Big Chill Festival 2008 and was named the winner defeating 15 other poets. "One of my favourite rappers right now" DJ Semtex (BBC 1Xtra + Dizzee Rascal's DJ) "One of the best lyricists in the Western Hemisphere" Benjamin Zephaniah "Amazing...so good I was nearly crying" Ms Dynamite "One of the most intelligent and sickest MCs" DJ MK (Kiss FM + Roots Manuva's DJ) "Incredible...A Spike Milligan for the 21st Century." Rowan Pelling (BBC Radio 4 Arts Review Show) "Lowkey's dope! Definitely representing for the UK" Ghostface Killah (Wu-Tang Clan) TOURING : 25 fevr. Rhythm Factory Aldgate 26 fevr. Civic Arts Centre Birmingham 28 fevr. Birzeit University, Ramallah Palestine 28 fevr. Serryieh, Ramallah Palestine 1 mars Abu Dis University Jerusalem 1 mars Dar Annadwa, Bethlehem Palestine 2 mars AUUJ, Jenin Palestine 2 mars Nazareth Israel 3 mars Akka/Haifa Israel 5 mars Peace Show @ Proud Galleries Camden 7 mars Better Than Heavy LP - Release Date Mongrel 12 mars King's College London 29 mars Sziene Vienna 30 mars Snowbombing Austria 31 mars SnowBombing Austria 2 avr. Rouen, Zenith France 4 avr. La Rouche Sur Yon, Fuzzyon France 5 avr. Marmande, Garorock France 6 avr. Marseille, Poste a Gallene, France 8 avr. Lille, Aeroneuf, France 9 avr. Paris, Nouveau Casino France 13 avr. Venezuelan Cultural Show Venezuela 4 mai Roundhouse London 19 mai Mongrel Nottingham 20 mai Mongrel Liverpool 22 mai Mongrel Glasgow 23 mai Mongrel Sheffield 25 mai Mongrel Sound City London http://www.myspace.com/lowkeyuk