South-London born rapper Layyah has been crowned the winner of the BBC music show, The Rap Game. This makes her the first female winner of the series, beating worthy finalists Haydog, CBliminal and Zizou to claim the £20,000 cash prize and mentorship scheme.
In the seasons closing episode, Layyah left Kenny Allstar speechless with her final freestyle, giving an emotional performance with soulful hooks, operatic backing vocals and verses detailing struggles with depression and friends who’ve passed away, as well as confidently asserting her ability, rapping “I was born for this, I was meant for this.”
@layyah_2000 @rapgameukbbc SEASON 6 WINNER I’m completely overwhelmed from the support I’ve received since yesterday’s final of @rapgameukbbc it’s been a journey and the people I’ve met along the way has made this so special. I can’t wait to see what lies ahead @bbcthree @bbciplayer #layyah #layyahmusic #rapgameuk #therapgame #rapfans #ukrap #artist #ukartist #fyp #raptok #foryoupage #foryou ♬ original sound – LAYYAH2000
Kenny Allstar was watching on with excitement, smiling, bopping, and giving a wheel-up halfway through the performance for her to run it again – the DJ’s highest gesture of praise for the MC’s. He told the cameras in an interview after that she was “special” and has “the potential to be a generational talent”.
Talking to BBC Newsbeat after her victory, Layyah expressed her joy at winning the renowned rap reality show. “It is a dream come true. I really do hold this title highly and want to make the absolute best of it.”
She went on to cite influences both musical and familial, noting Lauryn Hill and Little Simz as two artists she looks up to, as well as drawing inspiration from the “strong females” in her life – “My mum, my grandma, aunties, even my little sister, she’s so strong beyond her years.”
Liverpool native Haydog came in at a close second – he gave consistency throughout the whole contest, with his brand of hard-hitting, authentic street rap and hungry personality shining throughout. He even managed to secure 1st place in a challenge co-judged by one of his greatest influences, Potter Payper.
Speaking to the Wirral Globe, he said, “Being a part of the show was a surreal experience. I feel like I have learned a lot and improved a lot as an artist. I am forever grateful for the opportunity, and I hope to inspire people through my storytelling.”
This season saw a milestone for the show, becoming the longest running unscripted show in the UK focused on Black British music and culture, across all mainstream television platforms over the past 25 years.
Hosted, judged and mentored by UK-rap stars Krept & Konan, and iconic grime pioneer DJ Target, the show has gathered a sizeable audience and accolades, breaking viewing records among under 25’s, and winning an Edinburgh TV Award for Best Entertainment Series in 2020, as well as BAFTA and RTS Television nominations.
In an interview with the BBC during previous seasons, Target says “I think the show is super important. The fact that the BBC commissioned a show like this and let us bring what we bring to the table in terms of knowing how to make this authentic, which was one of the main things we wanted when we got on board.”
As the first female MC to take the top spot, Layyah hopes her win can help to make change in the male-centric industry. “In the music scene, there’s a bit of a boys club. The guys stick together, not so much the girls. So there should be more support for the females.”
All episodes of The Rap Game UK can be streamed on BBC iPlayer, here.
