Birmingham’s Symphony Hall is set to host an extraordinary fusion of Grime and orchestral music on Saturday, April 12th, 2025, at 7:30 PM, as LEGACY takes center stage. The unprecedented event will honour the vibrant Grime scene that has shaped Birmingham’s musical identity over the past 40 years.
Headlined by the city’s Grime icons Jaykae and Lady Leshurr, the event promises a groundbreaking collaboration between Grime artists and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO), under the direction of award-winning conductor Phil Meadows.
With a 60-piece orchestra accompanying a roster of celebrated artists, LEGACY will shine a spotlight on pioneers like Big Dog Yogo, C4, Safone, T.Roadz, Sox, and Dapz On The Map, among others. The event is brought to life by Punch Records in collaboration with the CBSO, celebrating Grime’s profound influence on Black British music and its ongoing legacy in the UK’s creative landscape.
Jaykae, renowned for collaborations with Stormzy, Skepta, Mike Skinner, and Jorja Smith, has brought Birmingham’s Grime scene to global audiences with performances at Glastonbury Festival, Wireless, and Creamfields. Speaking of his legacy, Jaykae said:
“When I’m done, I’m gonna get seen with the likes of Mike Skinner and UB40. I’m good with what I’m doing. I know I’ll go down in history in this city.”
Multi-MOBO Award winner Lady Leshurr, a , has carved her path in a male-dominated genre, creating a platform for aspiring female artists. Her “Queen’s Speech” series garnered millions of views, cementing her status as the “Queen of Birmingham.”
LEGACY has grown from its origins as a book, documentary, and miniseries titled “0121 Legacy”, which chronicled Birmingham’s untold Grime, Rap, and Hip-Hop stories. Premiering on LinkUp TV, the series amassed over 600,000 views across platforms, establishing a close-knit community of artists, entrepreneurs, and tastemakers who champion Birmingham’s creative spirit.
Punch Records’ Nikki Riggon, Head of Programme & Senior Producer, commented:
“We are incredibly honored to celebrate Birmingham’s rich Rap and Grime heritage in such an extraordinary way. LEGACY began as a documentary commissioned by Punch Records to highlight the rise of Birmingham’s rap industry and its profound impact on British music. Now, by transforming it into a live performance in collaboration with the CBSO, we’re breaking creative boundaries—showcasing the Midlands’ finest talent to new audiences while honoring the pioneers of the scene and shining a light on its vibrant future.”
CBSO Creative Director Tom Spurgin highlighted the unique collaboration:
“Our musicians are exceptional at what they do, and we have a great history of collaborating with artists from other genres. Our new partnership with Punch Records showcases the best of Birmingham live on stage from the worlds of classical and Grime, and shares audiences between our two genres to appreciate the immense artistry in each.”
Tickets for LEGACY at Symphony Hall are now available, promising an unforgettable night of music, artistry, and community.
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With £1m what would you do: I would do my part to provide opportunities to the less fortunate. Then do my best to change the world in my own way through sports and talent building.
