WHO ARE YOU?
I am Chiedu Oraka, aka The Black Yorkshireman, aka North Hull’s Nigerian.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
I am a rap artist, promoter and educator.
WHY DO YOU DO IT?
So I can help my mum retire, and so I can inspire young kids growing up on council estates to believe that they can achieve anything they put their minds to.
WHAT IS HAPPENING IN YOUR WORLD RIGHT NOW?
My mixing engineer has just sent me the mixes and masters of my up and coming project, so I am currently just making some notes on what needs changing. I have just headlined the 2023 Humber Street Sesh Festival which was sick. I love my city so much. I haven’t performed in Hull for over two years but it was like I never left. Also, I’ve just been awarded the PPL momentum fund from the PRS Foundation, which I am deeply grateful for. I am also getting ready to do my first headline tour in October. So life is pretty good! I can’t complain. “We need different types of black stories in UK black music.”
WHAT IS THE HOTTEST TOPIC IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY?
I wouldn’t say it's a hot topic right now, but I’m making it one; we need different types of black stories in UK black music. I am personally sick of seeing the same narratives get all the attention and limelight. We need a level playing field across the board and not just limited opportunities for artists who are situated outside the bigger cities. As an industry, we need to open our minds and do better, because not every black boy is a “Top Boy” character.
STARTER TRACK?
“The Trials and Tribulations of CEO”. It contains everything you need to know about my upbringing and gives the listener a strong essence of why I do what I do. You will feel like you know me personally after listening to that song.
Chiedu Oraka tours the UK this Autumn.
