2015 proved to be a pivotal year for UK music globally, with the once overlooked Urban genres of Grime and UK Hip Hop emerging as the go to categories for celebrities and brands when seeking to appeal to millennials by merely associating themselves with the musical choice of the youth. But how did this once underground style of music make its way to the top of the charts and on the tip of all of our tongues? Could a fast growing online music platform with over 261 million+ views be the vital link in this story of triumph and success? Read on…
1. Album Chart Success
UK Rappers Krept & Konan gained phenomenal chart success with their debut album, The Long Way Home. The duo made their way into the Guinness Book of Records for the second time with the highest charting UK Rap album ever by entering the chart at number 2. Their first entry was by charting at number 19 with their mixtape, Young Kingz.
This outstanding journey can be traced back to their first appearance on Link Up TV in January 2011, with their Behind Barz freestyle which has over 2 million views.
Krept & Konan’s Link Up TV debut helped to solidify their position in the scene early on. A close relationship has been maintained over the years seen by recent content supporting The Long Way Home marketing campaign and an exclusive freestyle from Krept, Last Night In Lagos, for Link Up TV.
2. National Chart Success
With a highly dedicated engaged audience, Link Up TV was WSTRN’s first choice when releasing their smash debut single, In2. The West London trio went on to chart at number 4 in the UK national charts, with the remix video featuring Wretch 32, Chip, and Geko receiving over 4 million views on the Link Up TV YouTube channel.
WSTRN ft. Wretch 32, Chip & Geko – IN2 Remix (Music Video)
3. MOBO Awards Television Performance
X Factor presenter and pop star, Rita Ora, invited Section Boyz to join her on stage during her 2015 live MOBO Award performance. Rita Ora sang along to the Section Boyz’s, winners of the MOBO Best Newcomer Award, Trappin Ain’t Dead underground smash. The music video first appeared on Link Up TV in March 2015 and has since gained over 2 million views.
Section Boyz – Trappin Ain’t Dead (Music Video)
4. Record Deal
Off the back of his ongoing beef with Chip, Bugzy Malone set the scene alight with high rating videos like Wasteman, one of his many replies to Chip, which gained over 350,000 views in 24 hours on the Link Up TV YouTube channel. Bugzy Malone was soon signed to Radio 1 DJ Charlie Sloth’s record label, Grimey Limey Records, charting at number 8 with his debut EP, Walk With Me. Bugzy’s fast rise to fame also secured him a nomination for the MOBO’s ‘Best Newcomer’ Award. Bugzy Malone’s highest rating video, M.E.N, has over 5 million views on Link Up TV.
Bugzy Malone – M.E.N (Official Video)
5. Historic Moments
In 2015 Link Up TV were the only online platform to capture exclusive live footage at shows such as the Kanye West/BBK/Big Sean show at a secret location in London, Stormzy bringing out Grime Icon Dizzee Rascal at Wireless Festival, and the moment Drake brought Skepta to the stage atWireless Festival,
Drake Brings Out Skepta to Shutdown Wireless 2015
6. Mobile Phone App
As well as having their online platform, Link Up TV is the only UK Urban platform with not one but two mobile phone apps with over 200,000 installs and 14 million monthly track plays.
The Link Up TV- Video & News App: where users can browse the hottest videos and news of the day in one place. And the New Link Up TV Music StreamingApp where users can stream the latest tracks and mixtapes on the go, downloading the latest tracks and mixtapes straight to your phone so you can listen to them when you don’t have a data connection.
In addition, users can catch up with the latest Link Up TV shows freestyles, music videos, interviews, behind the scenes footage, and documentaries. Browse social feeds and watch the hottest videos of the day.
7. Live Events
With the recent launch of Link Up TV Live, which kicks off this month by showcasing Wretch 32 and Avelino, performing songs from their new mixtape, Young Fire Old Flame, Link Up TV look set to dominate the live space too. Tickets for the highly anticipated event were snapped up within 4 minutes of being released, confirming the demand for such an outlet.
The lead song from the Young Fire Old Flame was filmed and posted by Link Up TV. Wretch 32 x Avelino – Hulk Hogan (Official Video)
Want To Link Up With Link Up TV?
Link Up TV is the biggest online youth media platform with a social reach of 135 million per month and growing. Available partnership opportunities include:
– Sponsorship/product placement of video content and live shows/events
– Website takeovers
– Advertising on the Link Up TV mobile app
