Black Josh is a rapper from Manchester, England. Since his first releases in 2013, Josh has worked with various producers and rappers across the UK including other Blah Records artists. He has also been part of the rap groups Cult of the Damned, Levelz and The Mouse Outfit. Writers have variously called him a "Manchester cult hero" and a "lyrical maverick".[1][2]

Black Josh
OriginManchester, UK
GenresHip hop, Boom bap, Alternative rap
Occupation(s)Rapper, Songwriter
LabelsBlah Records

Works and Style

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Black Josh first started rapping over hip hop beats whilst at college sometime before 2011.[3] His first releases to gain traction came with The Mouse Outfit in 2013,[4][5] followed by his Black Josh EP.[6] In 2014-15 Josh began to release on Blah Records, starting with the single Paul Scholes.[7] He has since dropped 8 releases on Blah.[8] They have included the 2018 albumYung Sweg Lawd, featuring production from Skepta,[9] and 2020's Mannyfornia. Reviewers praised Mannyfornia as "unapologetically Manchester"[10] and a "cohesive, dynamic and eclectic album.".[11]

In 2019, Josh's releases were selected for inclusion in the British Library's Sound and Moving Image Catalogue alongside other Blah artists.[12]

In 2024, he was the opener for Danny Brown's British leg of the "Quaranta" tour and was minted.

Discography

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Albums and EPs

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  • Today's the Day (2023)
  • Cult of The Damned - CULTGANGRAPSH!T, Vol. 1 (2023)
  • Swegasus with Milkavelli (2022)
  • Heartbreak Hostel (2021)[13]
  • Mannyfornia (2021)
  • Yung Sweg Lawd (2018)
  • Cult of The Damned - Part Deux: Brick Pelican Posse Crew Gang Syndicate (2018)
  • Attack of the 50,000 ft SWEG LAWDS from OUTER SPACE w/Lee Scott (2018)
  • Ape Tape (2016)
  • Cult of The Damned - 'Cult of The Damned' (2015)
  • Smoking Kills w/Pete Cannon (2015)
  • The Blosh EP (2014)
  • #blahblahblackjosh (2014)

[14]

References

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  1. ^ REPEAT (27 October 2021). "BLACK JOSH @ BRUDENELL SOCIAL CLUB REVIEW". REPEAT. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  2. ^ "Black Josh - Mannyfornia [Stream]". The Pit London. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  3. ^ "60 seconds with Black Josh". District Magazine. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  4. ^ "The Mouse Outfit interview: Escape Music". Skiddle.com. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  5. ^ "Track Review: The Mouse Outfit (Feat. Truthos Mufasa & Black Josh)- Sit Back". Music Musings & Such. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  6. ^ djaup (14 July 2012). "Black Josh - Black Josh EP". Word Is Bond. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  7. ^ "Introducing: Black Josh". Bonafide. 18 October 2016. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  8. ^ "Blah Records". Blah Records. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  9. ^ "ESSAYS and JOURNALISM | YUNGSWEGLAWD - Black Josh - ALBUM REVIEW | Bhad Publicity". bhadpublicity.com. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  10. ^ "Black Josh - Mannyfornia [Stream]". The Pit London. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  11. ^ Boev, Martin (11 June 2020). "On MANNYFORNIA, Black Josh has crafted a cohesive, dynamic and eclectic album with intricate flows and verses highlighting his skills as an emcee". In Search of Media. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  12. ^ British, Library. "British Library Sound & Moving Image Catalogue: Black Josh's Mannyfornia". British Library Cadensa.
  13. ^ "Black Josh - Heartbreak Hostel (Album)". WORDPLAY. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  14. ^ "Black Josh". Blah Records. Retrieved 24 March 2022.