10 Things You Didn’t Know About Roots Manuva

The English producer and rapper, Roots Manuva was born Rodney Smith on 9 September 1972 in Stockwell, London. He has been described as “one of the most influential artists in British music history”. He was rewarded for his breakthrough with a MOBO as Best Hip Hop Act that year. His single, Witness (1 Hope) was played in the UK game show Total Wipeout International special episode. He had such an impact on the UK rap scene that the New York based magazine, The Times said that “his is the voice of urban Britain”. There is no doubt that the 44-years-old English producer and rapper is definitely a name to be reckon with in the music industry.

Here are 10 things you probably didn’t know about the English rapper and producer, Roots Manuva:

1. Roots Manuva was born Rodney Smith on 9 September 1972 in Stockwell, London.

2. He has been described as “one of the most influential artists in British music history”.

3. He made his recorded debut in 1994 as part of IQ Procedure through Suburban Base’s short-lived hip hop imprint Bluntly Speaking Vinyl.

4. The single “Witness (1 Hope)”, from his second album Run Come Save Me, with its lyrical flow and heavy shuffling squelch bass is a UK rap anthem.

5. He was rewarded for his breakthrough with a MOBO as Best Hip Hop Act that year.

6. He headlined the Lounge on the Farm festival 11 July 2009.

7. His single, Awfully Deep was used as a background track in series 2 of TFI friday.

8. His single, Witness (1 Hope) was played in the UK game show Total Wipeout International special episode.

9. He had such an impact on the UK rap scene that the New York based magazine, The Times said that “his is the voice of urban Britain”.

10. He has collaborated with artists like Hi-Fi, Toddla T, Lotek, Mr. Scruff and Ricky Ranking to name a few.