THE CURATOR of Coventry Music Museum Pete Chambers BEM writes for the Observer.

Mugun

I recall a young guest in the Music Museum a few years ago asking me about the Coventry Rap stars.

I could only cite Ghost Poet and C.O.V. at the time, but wow, how things have come on.

The Cov Grime and Rap scene looks like its flourishing.

I’m certainly no expert on the scene, and no doubt I am probably missing some major movers but acts like Skatta and Whizzy have continued to delight with their finger-on-the pulse Raps.

Back in the 80s music was massively politicised, now when we need it the most it seems that saying it how it is seems mainly left to the rappers and grime artist, and good for them.

Last week Pa Salieu bags himself an appearance on the very influential American talk show The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon (holding up a mockup cover to the ‘Send Them To Coventry’ mixtape), and of course a week or so before that he was crowned the BBC Sound of 2021.

In the last couple of years another Cov Rapper Jay-1 made has made some impressive chart entries, including ‘4am in Coventry’.

Well standby for another Coventry artist that has just signed to John Dawkins Various Artists Management. Cov kid John famously managed The Enemy and steered them to chart success, and his agency has just taken on Cov rapper Mugun, another impressive star to be. Although not new to the scene, this looks to be his time.

Pa Salieu featured on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. s

Here’s what John Dawkins had to say about his new signing: “Mugun is a very exciting signing for various artists and of course the second act I am to work with from my home-town.

“Coventry’s DNA shows that it has an incredibly rich history in politically charged musical narrative from the streets and its people that rears its head with true home-grown town criers.

“Mugun is the true voice not just of Coventry but also a generation of new disaffected youth that are beginning to rise up and demand their story be heard.

“He is an incredibly progressive and exciting talent in UK hip hop and Grime and someone who will dramatically push that scene and the name of our great city forward!”

Mugun has been making waves with his diverse sound, a blend of hip-hop influenced UK Rap over lo-fi beats.

He moved to Jamaica at the age of 13 where he was surrounded by musical culture in its rawest form.

On his return at 16, Mugun began to write songs, using music as a way to express feelings upon the society we live in today and his daily experiences.

He has appeared on tracks with critically acclaimed artists such as Nyge, Kojey Radical and IAMDDB.

It subsequently landed him a nomination at the ‘Get Rated’ Awards in 2016 which also saw him take home the ‘Best Urban Act’ at the Unsigned Music Awards that same year.

So, I’m eagerly waiting for that guest to return to the museum and ask me again about our amazing rap and grime.