Mr.B the Gentleman Rhymer began his 'Chap-Hop' career in the summer of 2007 when he decided to bring elements of his previous incarnations (UK rapper, jump-up breaks producer, banjolele maverick and dandy) together and create a genre. We've been fortunate enough to catch him live a number of times at various festivals and after reading that the he was booked to play at Beautiful Days Festival, we thought it was time for a chat to learn a little bit more about what makes him tick...
Firstly, for those people who aren’t familiar with you, please tell us a bit about yourself and your music….
Chap-Hop is reconnecting hip-hop to it’s music hall beginnings. If you could imagine that Grandmaster Flash, Chuck D, Noel Coward and George Formby got drunk together and decided to form a band then this is what it might sound like.
We last saw you live at Glas-Denbury in 2017…..what have you been up to since then?
Crikey, it’s been all go. Last weekend I played four festivals in three days - Y-Not, Bay Days, Camp Bestival and Northern Ireland’s Sunflowerfest. Then I slept for the rest of the week.
Standing in a field watching bands has become a popular pastime for us Brits, what do you think it is about music festivals that appeals to so many people?
It often bemuses me that such a generally risibly little country would be so enamoured with outdoor music festivals. I think, however we like to whinge we’re a hopeful people deep down.
It can often be a battle getting through 3 days at a music festival, please share your top three survival tips
1- Galoshes
2- inebriation
3- Tea
What is your preferred tipple at a festival?
I’m so often having to drive off to another festival that I almost forget. Whatever his handed to me does the job. Mainly because it’s usually difficult to find a decent vintage single malt at a festival.
And best hangover cure?
Hair of the dog I’d say.
You’re playing at Beautiful Days this year, which of the other acts are you hoping to catch whilst you’re there?
Altern-8.
We’ve had some stunningly good weather in the UK over the past 6 weeks, please predict the forecast for Beautiful Days
Don’t make me do that, it will only end badly.
Where can people keep up to date with you?
You can find tour dates, news and merchandise at www.gentlemanrhymer.com or general social media gubbins @gentlemanrhymer so do pop in and say hello, I’m quite approachable.
Lastly, please tell me WHY people should come and see you when you perform at Beautiful Days?
Because in my humble opinion I will be the best act of the weekend! (Was that humble enough?) - Pip-pip!
We'd like to thank Mr B for taking the time out of his hectic schedule to chat to us and look forward to catching his set at Beautiful Days.
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