Our History
Originating and founded as the Brighton Hip Hop Festival (BHHF) by a small team in 2004 and rebranded in 2008, RISING STYLES (RS) has become the UK’s largest celebration of International Hip Hop culture. Over the past number of years the festival has gone from strength to strength and is recognised as a must attend event for all Hip Hop enthusiasts, as well as anyone with an interest in the many art forms that are comprised within the culture.

Curated and delivered by arts development agency KALA PHOOL, RISING STYLES exists as ‘not for profit’ to celebrate the richness, strength and diversity of Hip Hop culture, with many of its events free to attend. Historically the festival has been supported by a range of the large public funders. The 2006 festival was a huge success with more than 25,000 people attending throughout. In 2007, despite last minute funding difficulties we saw thousands attend the various events, largely thanks to the sector, local businesses and new funders who stepped up and supported the project. We have even had festivals which have been delivered with extraordinarily low budgets but this is not sustainable and all the help we can achieve enables the hundreds of artists involved to thrive.
Rising Styles and the future

Building on the success of previous years, the 2010 festival currently being developed will boast a fantastic line up of high profile events, designed to appeal to audiences new and old that were bigger and better than ever. They included:

    * Launch event in London
    * Fresh Styles Hip Hop Film Festival
    * Poetry and MC shows
    * Youth workshops in music production, MC-ing, DJ-ing, breakdancing and art and design
    * Live public art through Frieze Box
    * Battlejam (a day long breakdance event)
    * Hip Hop Foundation (educational programme)
    * Festival Music
    * Performances

RISING STYLES has seen attendance figures go through the roof over the years! With people travelling from across the globe we were certainly kept busy!

Sponsorship
As a not for profit festival run by a small team of volunteers and the need for financial support is immense. If you are a sponsor who wants to connect with this dynamic sector and varied audience then do get in touch. This is your opportunity to be a part of something spectacular that shouts from the rooftops its commitment to Hip Hop’s grassroot beginnings and become a festival Hero.

Contact us if you wish to support Rising Styles.

The First Chapter of EXIT 2026 Global Tour Has Been Revealed! 🌎

Join us as we write a new chapter in the history of EXIT ✨

Primitive Instinktz

After i first discovered hip hop in the late 90s early 2000s i knew i had to at least try make this sound come to life , no matter what ! I was completely mystified by the flow of the lyrics and a good instrumental with well selected sounds and a intoxicating hook that just kept you coming back for more.... After my first 5 years or writing rhymes and making beats i realized i needed to up my game and actually study some sound design techniques so i could actually mix my music correctly... so after 7 years of techno , electronic alternative music , im back to do my old hip hop project some justice .....

Initially conceived as the producer/MC duo of Nikolai (formerly of UK ska punkas King Prawn) and Eff le Ref LSB immediately set their stall out with the aim of confounding expectations and moving away from the traditional hip hop formulas being peddled around the scene. They sought to distance themselves from what was going on around them and bring to bear their diverse collective influences.  A love of reggae, dub and old skool ska are all evident in the band's sound, from the Jerry Dammers-esque keyboards of 'Rebels of the Frontline' to the shuffling, laid back beats of 'The Deep End' LSB skilfully navigate three or four decades of musical heritage, wrapping it up into one delicious, bombastic, package.

Not content with being a mere studio project, Left Step's ranks quickly expanded to encompass a full live line-up. Meeting through that most modern of mediums, the internet, Nikolai and Eff le Ref were put in touch with Zac who seamlessly slotted in to their ranks. These three developed a chemistry which would become the bedrock of the LSB sound but quickly realised that a final magical ingredient was missing. Having toyed with the idea of introducing a guitarist to their ranks, LSB eventually decided, as they always do, to do things their own way. The final piece to be added to this diverse puzzle was Sensei FMs' DJ Dizar.

The quartet bonded immediately over a diverse sound and a penchant for bringing the everyday to life with big hooks and a killer melody.  Over long days and strenuous nights the band sweated and toiled, shaping themselves into the raucous unit they are today. Never short on song craft, they rapidly generated a group of songs which befit their name, left-field, out of step but at all times danceable and with an instinctive eye for a groove and a chorus. 

As a live proposition LSB are something else altogether. MC'ing meets singing and swaggering beats meet soulful hooks - all imbued with a sense of timeless storytelling and adept lyrical narrative. It is this musical diversity and originality which has seen the band share bills with both urban acts and with friends from the indie fraternity. Moreover, gigs with the likes of Finlay Quaye have proved that they can mix it with the best, on stages large or small, to crowds old or young and with an easy appeal which runs through every note of the music they produce. 

Beyond anything else, Left Step Band is about good time music for good time people, rich with pop nous yet never forgetful of its roots.  There is a real sense that the quartet are bringing back something that has long been missing from the scene, namely a genuine sense of fun and musical abandon with no constraints and no rules.  'It’s really just about having fun, and seeing people enjoy themselves' says Nikolai... 

And right now LSB are having an absolute blast. 


FOR BOOKINGS :: email me @ www.ricda_rhythm@yahoo.co.uk

Wyld Pytch Rekords established a reputation as one top urban music outlet for over 15 years situated in the heart of London's Soho. Wyld Pytch supplied the best in R&B, Hip Hop, Funk and, Breaks, Broken Beat, Brazilian, and merchandising, dj equipment and magazines to DJs and collectors and general public. Situated in soho, Wyld Pytch built their reputation on being helpful, friendly and way up front.

51 lex Records brings you the mother of all music catalogues featuring the best sounds from Nigeria,Ghana,Lagos and different areas of West Africa. From super heavy afro Funk to Traditional Talking Drum not to mention the gems from the disco/soul/ reggae and gospel Archives.

The Red Shark Soundsystem are an electronic bass music band based in Bristol. Their live show is an energetic and eclectic blend of bass driven musics. Like a twisted HR Giger painting put to music, they fuse live instrumentation and vocals with machines, a heavy cocktail of drum & bass, dubstep, breakbeat and electronica. Fronted by rapid-fire Bristol MC Proliffix and soulful vocalist Ivy Cairo, the Red Shark Sound System use live drums, synthesisers, samplers and computers to create their signature dark and intense sound which has earned them the moniker "the pirates of the low-frequency sound waves".  

They have taken their live show across the country, from the Blue Lagoon Festival on the beautiful Pembrokeshire coast to the grimy splendour of Bristol's Black Swan, through Cardiff's underground electronic clubs to the cross-cultural Espirito Brum festival and via the official reunion of Newport's legendary TJ's nightclub. They have performed at modern art exhibitions, after parties, raves and Unemployed Daytime Disco's. They’ve appeared on the Baby Boomtown Show (BCFM) and played charity shows for the likes of TEMWA and the SAFE Foundation plus supported acts including Jazzsteppa, Dub Mafia, Utah Jazz and John Farah. 

Prem Sangeet aka Petar Savic – Conscious Leader | Community Builder | Transformational Artist | Longevity Advocate | Tech Enthusiast

Prem’s unique sound and visual identity emerged after two decades of touring, filmmaking, and music production. As a Sound Engineer, Co-Producer, Remixer, and multi-instrumentalist (guitar & keyboard), he has shaped sonic landscapes across various creative projects.

His spiritual name, Prem Sangeet—meaning "unconditional love for the music of God"—was given to him by mantra music legends Deva Premal & Miten. Rooted in the intersection of music and sacred medicine, Prem’s artistic journey is guided by a deep connection to sound as a transformational force.

As the founder of Supreme Factory, Prem has been a driving force in the tech and music industries, collaborating with top startups, festivals, media platforms, and record labels, including:

🎵 Platforms & Tech: YouTube, SoundCloud, Mixcloud, Spotify, Myspace, LastFM, Google+, Mobile Roadie, Livestream.com, ChewTV, Dailymotion
🎤 Festivals & Conferences: EXIT Festival, The Prodigy’s Warriors Dance Festival, SHARE Conference, Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE), Eurosonic Noorderslag, International Radio Festival, Jamie Oliver’s The Big Feastival
🎶 Music & Media: EXIT Music TV, Bombastic Jam Label, ZOOELECTRIC Label, I AM MUSIC TV, DMC World DJ Championship, Global Publicity

Blending innovation with artistry, Prem continues to explore the boundless possibilities of sound, community, and consciousness.

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