The award-winning duo have praised the city's 'extreme' musical talent, but claimed that artists aren't being supported to thrive, saying 'council are joke man, still'
Nottingham artists Young T and Bugsey have called for more support for the city's musicians amid cuts to the arts - adding "council are joke man, still". The hip-hop duo, who rose from the rebel city to national platinum-selling and Brit-nominated success, released their third mixtape Beyond Rea5onable Doubt on Friday, August 23.
The local authority, which that month declared itself effectively bankrupt, confirmed £197,056 of contributions to the arts and creative sector would stop. "If this city had a bigger music infrastructure, there would be more support and schemes where artists could get funding," Bugsey said, as the pair spoke to Nottinghamshire Live ahead of a homecoming show at Rescue Rooms on Tuesday, October 29.
"It feels good to be one of the brightest lights from Nottingham, and we're still trying to shine a light on the city," Bugsey said of the duo's success. "There's a lot we want to do, and we want to give back". The artists have previously organised community-led initiatives in the city, including the 'Back 2 School' event, a family festival in Aspley designed to encourage children to return to school with a positive mindset.