Rapper’s festival plea to unite Greater Manchester

Educated Thugz

A young rapper is looking forward to playing at a popular multicultural festival with his truly international crew.

‘Educated Thugz’ features MCs from Nigeria, Angola and Malawi alongside co-founder B, who grew up in Rochdale and Manchester.

The rapper urges music, dance, food and art lovers to go to this year’s Exodus Festival in Manchester’s Albert Square on Sunday 18 July, as it could be its final year.

B said: “Through playing at the festival, we have been able to build our reputation in the music business. We regard Exodus Festival as one of the best platforms locally for diverse music.

“I very much hope that the festival gains future funding so this year’s event will not be the last. The event integrates the various communities that make up Greater Manchester and brings everybody together for a truly remarkable event."

Exodus Festival is a celebration of the arts and culture of Greater Manchester’s refugee and diverse communities and it has taken place every summer since 2001.

Last year saw 10,000 party in the sunshine, but the festival, run by Community Arts North West, has no funding confirmed for future events.

Katherine Rogers, Exodus coordinator for Community Arts North West said: “Funding for the Exodus Festival will run out this year. We are still hopeful that the festival will continue for years to come. However, we are not able to confirm that as yet. In the meantime people should come and join us for the party.”

As well as two musical stages, the free and family friendly festival, which runs from 12 noon until 6pm, offers an international food village, featuring home cooked dishes from West Africa, Pakistan and Poland and workshops from Chinese kite-making to African drumming and henna art.

The free Exodus Festival takes place in Manchester’s Albert Square and the town hall on Sunday 18 July 12pm-6pm.