Ben Chijioke aka TY is one of UK black music’s true innovators and popularisers, alongside Roots Manuva, TY is globally recognized as one of the most respected and celebrated rappers from the UK. The rapper, producer and all-round preternatural musical talent is known for his impeccable live performances and counts Lily Allen and the late and great Amy Winehouse among his fans. After several highly acclaimed albums on Big Dada (Ninja Tune) and BBE he begins the next stage in a remarkable career with his new album “A work of heart” (Jazz Refreshed). To celebrate the brand new album Dj Chris Bounce put together a mix covering Ty’s classics, features and new music! “Mellow, deep and highly accessible, Ty reinstates himself as the UK‟s most well-rounded rap don” quoted by DJ Mag, you can even sample his artistry at Kolorádó open-air Festival this Friday, the 15th at 21:30. With a reputation built on his original style and refusal to hop on any industry bandwagon, Ty is best known for his lyrical frankness and honest portrayals of everyday life, setting him aside from many mainstream hip hop acts and allowing him complete artistic independence. Over the past decade this Mercury Prize nominee has released four critically acclaimed albums, toured the world and put in countless guest appearances alongside the likes of Damon Albarn, De La Soul, Tony Allen (Fela Kuti) and Pee Wee Ellis (James Brown). He has also recorded with Estelle, Scratch Perverts, Talib Kweli, Arrested Development and many more. His flow is unquestionably one of the best out there and that runs true throughout every album. After gaining notoriety on the London underground scene Ty signed to Big Dada Records, Ninja Tune’s hip-hop imprint in 2001, the same year his mighty debut album „Awkward‟ was released. The union between the artist and label saw a further two albums – 2003‟s Mercury-nominated „Upwards‟ and „Closer‟ (2006) – released over five years. Since his fourth solo album, „Special Kind of Fool‟, was released in 2010 via BBE Records, Ty has featured and collaborated with many artists stretching from America to France. Closer to home, Ty features on a tribute to the late Amy Winehouse, released in early 2012, and most recently launched his EP project on Tru Thoughts with three new Eps “Kick Snare & An Idea that is breathing new life into music scene which blew up all over with tracks such as “Let‟s start” and “like you never”. If there is one thing we can predict about Ty, it is that he will never be predictable. While a lifelong love of hip hop initially set him on his path, Ty‟s influences come from prog rock, jazz, and strange records of all descriptions. With a reputation built on his originality and instinctive refusal to hop on any industry bandwagon, he is known for his frank and honest lyrics which have set him aside from much mainstream hip hop and allowed him total artistic independence. In high anticipation for new sounds from one of global hip hop‟s best loved independent artists, TY is going to drop his brand new album in March 2018. These new Ty album is co-produced with long-time collaborator and musical brother Drew Horley at his London studio, have Ty‟s DNA running right through them from beats to composition to lyrics. Elaborating on his creative process, he says, “The music comes first. Then the music calls out and says ‘THIS is what needs to be said’. The music, always, is the boss. Beats are personal. Everything starts at home, late at night…I have an idea, I get it down, and then we build on it in the studio. With his trademark socially conscious lyrics backed up by infectious beats, it‟s guaranteed to get the floor moving. Don‟t miss out on this chance to see live hip hop at its freshest. More information about the Festival and line-up starting today: http://kolorado.hu/en/index/ Daily tickets at 7500 HUF, 4-day festival pass available online at 17500 HUF, more info on their website. Photo: TY Press