Prose

When you think of the Manchester music scene, a few names probably instantly jump to mind: Oasis, The Stone Roses, Happy Mondays, Joy Division, The Smiths and New Order. One thing's clear from that list.
There isn't really anything you'd comfortably count as being vaguely like hip hop (and no, as spectacular as it is, John Barnes' rap on New Order's 'World In Motion' definitely doesn't count).

PROSE are a three-piece attempting to put a distinctive spin on the indie-fuelled heritage that Manchester has cultivated. By taking some of the best parts of their musical ancestors (the poetry of Dr John Cooper Clarke, the psychedlia of the Roses) and mixing it with some distinctly different influences (Tupac and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, just to name two), they're attempting to redefine what it means to be a group from the city. With modern parable 'Run With Faith' and heartstring-plucking 'Mountains', the band show off their social conscience while also displaying emotional intensity. They've even managed to bag a guest appearance from chart topper and early supporter Emeli Sande on their track 'Headsick' - not bad for a group who have only just released their debut EP. You might want to catch them before they become the next big band from Manchester.