There’s quite a buzz about Rising Son’s new song
Bristol rapper and hip-hop artist Rising Son – aka Shellers Oliviere(Image: Rising Son)
A rapper has turned the world of grime and hip-hop on its head in the city after releasing a new track celebrating black excellence in Bristol.
The song, called ‘Kings In My City’ by Bristol-based artist Rising Son, was previewed at the end of May and is already causing quite a stir in Bristol, with repeated plays on Ujima Radio and on BBC Radio Bristol too.
Rising Son, aka Shellers Oliviere, initially teased the track on social media by announcing he’d recorded a song which includes the names of 37 people in Bristol – prompting an early buzz that it was going to be a song criticising other rappers and people on the Bristol music scene.
But, after days of anticipation, when the song was finally premiered on Ujima, it turned out to be the exact opposite, with the song name-checking 37 people and organisations that Shellers said should be celebrated in the black community in Bristol.
“I wrote ‘Kings in my City’ because we needed it,” he said. “I wanted to publicly show love, as a black man, to other black men who I see working hard at what they do.
“It’s really not hard to do that, to be nice about people.
“Some of those I mentioned are people I know with independent businesses who I really respect, most of the people I mentioned are pioneers of the city, and built the platform that everybody stands on today.
“I dedicate the song to the whole city.
Krazy and Rising Son (right), from Wordlife Records.(Image: Wordlife Records)
“It’s a song celebrating black excellence in Bristol, several local black-owned businesses, charities, the two main community centres, some of the legends past, present, and future generations, and with a special shout to some of the amazing Queens of the city.
“I felt like we as a community need to do more to encourage positivity and unity, and as an artist this is me doing my bit,” he added.
Among those name-checked are film-maker Michael Jenkins, graphic artist Ki Usherwood, award-winning restaurateur Ashley Burrows, Street to Boardroom founder Clayton Planter, radio legend Kevin Philemon and music stars Roni Size and Tricky.
Former Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees gets a mention, along with his former deputy Asher Craig, former Lord Mayor Cleo Lake and current Lord Lieutenant Peaches Golding, along with TV star Maya Jama.
A video for the song is currently in the pipeline with hopes that as many of those mentioned will appear in person as possible.