New For 2020: Aitch

Meet the Manchester rapper taking the charts by storm.

Our New for 2020 guide introduces our top picks of the hottest new emerging live bands and musicians for those looking to find the best new acts to see live in 2020. Find the full list here.

“I was put on this earth to do this”, Aitch told Beats 1 Julie Adenuga in an interview earlier this year, “I’m going to be the biggest artist you know”.

It’s the kind of confidence-filled statement that spills into North Manchester rapper’s music, as demonstrated on his top five single Taste (Make it Shake), which has taken the young artist from the underground rap scene to being UK music’s next big superstar.

The track features Aitch’s fast flow with his distinctly Mancunian accent layered over a beat both futuristic and timeless.

With innuendo scattered throughout, the positive message Aitch is trying to convey truly stands out – a theme that runs throughout his catalogue. He’s all about good times and self-expression, not hate and violence.

Taste (Make it Shake) certainly resonates with fans, the track has been streamed tens of millions of times on Spotify, the video has close to 20 million views on YouTube and the single peaked at No.2 on the Official UK Chart.

Aitch – Taste (Make It Shake) Official Video

Watch this video on YouTube

Raised in the Manchester suburb of Moston Aitch started rapping in school, looking towards fellow 0161 rapper Bugzy Malone for inspiration. When he realised music is what he wanted to do for the rest of his life, Aitch dropped out of college to pursue his dream.

His first breakthrough came when he dropped debut single Straight Rhymez online in 2018. The fiery track quickly went viral, garnering over 14 million views and receiving praise from future collaborator Stormzy.

Aitch’s incredible rise to the mainstream was solidified earlier this year when he was called up by Ed Sheeran to feature on the remix of his Stormzy collab Take Me Back To London. The video sees Aitch take Ed to his favourite Manchester cafe, which caused somewhat of a stir on Instagram when one of the biggest pop stars in the world was seen hanging out in Moston.

The rapper’s debut EP AitcH20, featuring Taste (Make it Shake) dropped in September, with critics praising the release for its ambition and innovativeness. Aitch rounds off 2019 with a sold out UK tour, including a headline appearance at London’s O2 Forum Kentish Town.

As Stormzy’s triumphant headline appearance at Glastonbury proved, UK hip hop is getting the mainstream recognition it deserves and in Aitch, the genre may have found its next big superstar.

More essential tracks

Take Me Back To London

Ed Sheeran - Take Me Back To London (Sir Spyro Remix) [feat. Stormzy, Jaykae & Aitch]