The singer and songwriter Katie Pepper was discovered by Dizzee Rascal when he was a judge on Sky 1's talent show Must be the Music, where each artist had to perform their own original songs. He was so impressed he signed her to his label Dirtee Stank, where she will release later this year her first album under the supervision of Cage (Dizzee's producer, manager and label co-owner)!
Pepper, backed by a DJ, sang some of the dubstep-ish songs that will be part of her debut. Surprisingly enough she didn't include the soon to be released single "Scream", an official song for the London 2012 Olympic Games that marks the first collaboration between the boy in the corner and his protégée!
After her, Zane Lowe delivered with his own inimitable style another of his eclectic sessions throwing in some of the big tunes of the moment!
After his fantastic show at 2011's opening party, Plan B was back for his first live show since the release of Ill manors (the soundtrack to the film of the same name written and directed by him) in which he returns to the hip hop style!
The 90-minute show of the rapper Ben Drew was divided in two parts, with a little set by the beatboxer Faith SFX in the middle: the first part with the crooning soul of The defamation of strickland banks (plus a song by Paolo Nutini) and the second part with the hip hop of Ill Manors (plus one from his debut Who needs actions when you got words and "Pieces" by Chase & Status), to top it all with "Stay too long" right at then end. The truth is I enjoyed the soul stuff more, where he showcases his awesome voice, but the rest was cool too!
Roadblock next week with Chase & Status (oh, and the return of long time resident Doorly after a month and a half DJing all over the world). Tickets available here...
See the full review with more pictures and complete setlists here!