Together with Jack Daniel’s, we’re taking The Cypher on the road. For its forth instalment we’re heading to Dundalk to tap up some of the best talent the Island has to offer.

In the past 12 months, we’ve seen Kojaque release an RTÉ Choice Prize nominated album, SELLO get a track added to the NBA 2K soundtrack and TraviS and Elzzz earn co-signs from some hugely influential acts in the UK. In short, there’s no shortage of good news day when it comes to hip hop and rap in Ireland and the conveyor belt of talent has been relentless. While social media and aesthetics are increasingly important, nothing quite trumps impressive live performances. That’s why we’ve teamed up with Jack Daniel’s to bring through the next generation of rappers through for another cypher.

Joining us behind closed doors for the recording of our fourth rap cypher in Mo Chara in Dundalk on April 5 is Beano, Don Kobz, Graham and T.Y The Poet. On top of that, one of Ireland’s most exciting producers, Rory Sweeney is also providing the beat for the performance so you know each rapper is going to come correct.

While the cypher recording is closed, Don Kobz, Ahmed, With Love. and Fortune Igiebor will be performing after and Rory Sweeney will also come through with a DJ set. Entry is free, with the event running from 20:00-22:00. On top of that, Jack Daniel’s will be served on the night.

Having created and hosted ‘Clash at the Quays’ last year, a wrestling meets live music event, Ahmed, With Love. knows how to put on a show. Elsewhere, Graham and Don kobz recently featured on the OutStraight collaborative tape and reaffirmed their statuses as some of the best spitters in the country right now. Meanwhile, T.Y. The Poet has been catching attention online for putting his own spin on styles harnessed by UK rappers like Sainte and Ashbeck. He’s a rapper in the ascendency and we’re here for it. Providing the instrumental and DJing on the night is prolific producer Rory Sweeney, who has recently collaborated with Essiray, Curtisy and many more at the forefront of the Irish scene.

It comes after we launched the inaugural District Cypher in February 2023. The video featured Derry rapper Hyfin, the A92 crew members Dbo and Ksav, New Ross rapper Skripteh and Dublin’s Ac3. As expected, each and every artist shelled it and set the bar high for any rappers that wanted to follow their footsteps in our cypher series. Likewise, Belfast producer WhipItConall provided an undeniable beat.

We kept that same energy with the second instalment, with Curtisy, ENI, Jeorge II, 1k3 and Awkward Z all going bar for bar live from Whelan’s, Dublin. It came after a producer call out on social media, which led to over 50 entries for the beat that would be used in the Cypher. An instrumental by Prod. By Biscuits and Prod. By Uisce was later crowned as the winner live on Twitch.

Hazey Haze, Citrus Fresh, Strange Boy and Krome also feature in another forthcoming cypher, so keep your eyes peeled for that. In the mean time, grab your tickets for the post cypher event on Friday April 5 in Mo Chara here.

Elsewhere on District: New Albums: ScHoolboy Q, Alex Gough, Chalk & more.

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