With sell out shows at Brixton Academy, his contribution to the Gorillaz album and tours to follow, Roots Manuva has established himself as a major player in the UK music scene.

Rodney Smith aka Roots Manuva was born in Stockwell, South London and in 1998 released his debut album Brand New Second Hand. Initially selling 3000 records, BNSH has now sold over 60,000 copies in the UK. The Times declared ‘his is the voice of urban Britain, encompassing dub, ragga, funk and hip hop…’ Manuva was rewarded for his breakthrough with a MOBO as Best Hip Hop Act that year.

In 2001, Run Come Save Me gained him a nomination for the Mercury Music Prize and a number five poll position on the Guardian’s ‘40 Best Bands In Britain’ feature. Awfully Deep followed four years later, a more focussed and fully-produced piece of work.

Manuva’s fourth studio album, Slime & Reason was released in 2008, featuring collaborations with Toddla T (Buff Nuff andDo Na Bodda Me) and Metronomy (Let The Spirit). The album was hailed as ‘a work of genius’ by the Observer Music Monthly.

Since then he has toured festivals the world over, developed a sideline as a ‘DJ/selecta’ and has even begun composing an opera. In addition he has been producing for the forthcoming Ricky Ranking album, plus curating and promoting a series of ‘Dub College’ events that have featured everyone from Micachu, The Bug and Dawn Penn. As long as it pushes what Smith describes as ‘bass culture’ in new and interesting directions Mr Manuva is there.