Chunky

For such a stalwart of the Manchester and UK underground music scene, it's hard to believe that Zimbabwe born Chunky is yet to enter into his late 20s.

Picking up a mic and appearing on sets around the city as a teenager, his individuality would see him hold down mic duties at residencies at two of the city's most recognised nights, Hit&Run and Hoya:Hoya. He'd also become the frontman for True Tiger, Swamp 81 and Riot Jazz as well as being the man asked to host sets by everyone from Jackmaster, Oneman, Ben UFO to Detroit underground legend Dabrye and seemingly endless DJs from festivals in Europe to the coasts of Australia.

Chunky is more than just a mic man though and proved this by releasing 'The Chunky EP' on Swamp 81 in late 2012. The four tracker featured a take on underground dance music that echoed the individuality of his mic skills. It received widespread acclaim and saw him appearing on line-ups playing music as well as continuing to be as in demand as ever on the mic. Drawing influences from all corners of the shop, Chunky's DJ sets deliver seriously weighty selections delivered with pure exuberance, as proved by his sets at Hoya:Hoya, Fabric, Soundwave Festival and more.

The transition from MC to producer/DJ/MC led him to team up with Problem Child to create MCs In The Mix. A concept seeing renowned mic-men and women being invited to DJ in the club and on online sessions such as Get Darker and Boiler Room. Thanks to MCs In The Mix, Flowdan, D Double E, Sgt Pokes, Broke'n'English, Trigga, SP:MC, Crazy D and more have demonstrated their musical tastes rarely acknowledged by audiences. Already receiving high praise, MCs In The Mix continues to grow and be invited to some of Europe's biggest underground music festivals.

A host, a vocalist, an MC, a producer, a DJ and an event co-organiser. Chunky occupies a unique space within the UK music spectrum and looks set to continue for years to come.