Rapper Little Simz brought the 2025 Meltdown festival to a spectacular close at London’s Southbank Centre with a standout orchestral performance. The show took place at the Royal Festival Hall and saw the Mercury Prize-winning artist, whose real name is Simbiatu Ajikawo, collaborating with the Chineke! Orchestra, Europe’s first majority Black and ethnically diverse orchestra. The performance included appearances from notable guests such as rapper Wretch 32, Nigerian artist Obongjayar, and singer Miraa May, adding an exhilarating dynamic to the event.

The concert featured a selection from Little Simz’s extensive catalogue, including tracks from her highly anticipated sixth studio album, Lotus, set for release on 9 May 2025. This collaboration underlined the innovative spirit of both Little Simz and the Chineke! Orchestra, blending hip-hop and orchestral music in a way rarely seen on UK stages. The orchestra’s participation in the festival showcased their commitment to diversity and expanding classical music’s reach.

This closing show capped off Little Simz’s role as the youngest artist to curate Meltdown, a prestigious festival celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Her appointment as curator places her alongside legendary figures like David Bowie and Patti Smith who have shaped the festival’s legacy. Little Simz’s own achievements, including her acclaimed album Sometimes I Might Be Introvert and her acting role in the Netflix series Top Boy, have firmly established her as a formidable creative force both within and beyond music.

The Meltdown festival, running from 12 to 22 June 2025 at the Royal Festival Hall and Queen Elizabeth Hall, featured a rich and diverse lineup announced earlier this year. Artists such as The Streets, Lola Young, Ghetts, and Jon Batiste brought varied sounds and energy to the festival stages. The return of Meltdown under Little Simz’s direction has been met with enthusiasm, with critics praising the festival’s vibrancy and the empowering performances of emerging talents like BRIT School graduate Lola Young.

Little Simz’s tenure as curator has been notable for its bold programming choices that highlight diversity and artistic exploration, reinvigorating Meltdown’s place in London’s cultural calendar. Her closing orchestral performance with Chineke! Orchestra not only symbolised the festival’s celebratory spirit but also set a high bar for future editions by combining genres and featuring a broad array of voices.

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Source: Noah Wire Services