Bill Shakes

Hailing from Blackburn, Bill Shakes stands as one of the true pillars of the UK underground hip hop scene. A founding member of the legendary Blah Records and the notorious Cult of the Damned collective, Shakes has built a reputation for his no-nonsense lyricism, raw authenticity, and razor-sharp delivery.

His style blends dark humour, northern grit, and vivid realism — painting unfiltered portraits of everyday life with a wit and flow that are unmistakably his own.

Since the early days of Blah, Bill Shakes has helped define a sound and ethos that’s become synonymous with UK alternative hip hop: gritty, experimental, and real.

His solo releases and crew projects have earned cult status among dedicated fans of the scene, with Shakes’ voice cutting through every track like a blunt truth-teller over smoked-out, heavy production.

As part of Cult of the Damned, alongside icons like Lee Scott, Milkavelli, and Black Josh, Shakes has contributed to some of the most influential underground projects of the past decade — pushing boundaries while keeping the roots of hip hop intact. Whether solo or with the crew, his music carries a signature blend of wit, wisdom, and weight.

Live, Bill Shakes is commanding yet effortless — the embodiment of seasoned confidence and pure northern authenticity. His performances balance chaos and craft, humour and honesty, grime and groove.

At Essence HipHop, expect Bill Shakes to bring the full force of that Blah Records energy — unapologetic, unpredictable, and undeniably real.

One Pot Magic

Liverpool’s One Pot Magic is cooking up something truly unique in UK hip hop — a fusion of cultures, flavours, and sounds that reflect both their roots and  creativity.

Drawing from their multicultural background, they blend soulful samples, heavy drums and vivid lyricism into tracks that feel alive and layered.

Known for their clever use of culinary metaphors, One Pot Magic stirs stories of life,  joys, struggles, heritage and community into their music — finding rhythm in recipes and meaning in meals. Their sound is a melting pot of influences: golden-era boom bap, modern experimentation, and the unmistakable soul of Liverpool’s underground.

As part of a new generation of artists reshaping the city’s hip hop landscape, One Pot Magic stands firmly in the lineage of Liverpool greats — carrying forward the storytelling spirit of the North while adding their own fresh seasoning.

At Essence HipHop, expect a performance full of flavour, warmth, and wordplay — hip hop that nourishes both the mind and the soul.