Rizzle Kicks

It says something for the rapid rise of Brighton-based hip hop duo Rizzle Kicks that the queue for Sunday’s sold out gig at the UEA began forming at lunchtime. By the time the doors opened at 7pm, the line of young fans stretched up to the car park.

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Six months is a very long time in music these days, and the meteoric rise of the pair has seen them release the hit album Stereo Typical, support Professor Green on tour (including a date just weeks ago at the UEA) and now headline their own tour.

When the dates were initially booked, Rizzle Kicks were pencilled in for the Waterfront, but the demand for tickets on the back of hits like Down with the Trumpets and Mama Do the Hump saw the gig promoted to the UEA, where it promptly sold out.

It’s easy to to see why Jordan and Harley are the flavour of the month. Their infectious, old-school-style hip hop is almost impossible not to like. Even Stephen Fry is apparently a fan.

Seeing them warm up for Prof Green was a revelation.

Energetic, brass-infused rhythms which had the crowd going beserk. Factor in the likeable cheeky-chappy personas and some witty rapping and it was a memorable night.

Back at the UEA in the middle of their own headline tour and one might feel the endless gigging is taking a bit of a toll. Harley had to take constant sips from honey tea to keep his voice where he wanted it, for instance.

All the energy was there, the crowd loved it and the bigger sound was first class, but I think a well-earned rest and some time in the studio ahead of the next tour later this year (sadly no Norwich next time around) is definitely warranted.

If a new album can reach the highs of Stereo Typical and the fresh live sound is maintained, Rizzle Kicks deserve to be absolutely huge. It would be brilliant to see them at this year’s Norfolk Spectacular. Big crowds and summer festivals might be a wonderful marriage for these boys, and the fans.

t To see video of Rizzle Kicks at the UEA, plus clips of support acts Random Impulse and Pepper, check out iwitness24.co.uk