Longitude Festival Doesn't Hold Back

Longitude and Latitude may be run by the same people, but that’s where the similarities end. Latitude is set in the sleepy countryside and is probably the only UK festival where you have a choice of places to buy a cheeseboard. Longitude on the other hand, takes place in the centre of Dublin and has more in common with the no-holds barred hip-hop of Wireless than it does with its sister festival. Last year Longitude played host to Gucci Mane’s first ever European concert (the trap legend is banned from the UK), and this year’s lineup is set to continue the tradition of bringing the finest in US trap and hip-hop to Irish shores, with a healthy dose of the UK in there too. We’ve put together a quick list of people you definitely don’t want to miss if you do make the journey to Longitude this year:

Travis Scott

With new album Astroworld rumoured to finally be on its way, Travis Scott is sure to bring some new material to Longitude this year. He’s also likely to perform said material from the back of a giant mechanical bird. No, really, that’s part of his stage set. If you want a combination of some of the best trap music ever made and one of the most high energy performances around, Travis Scott is the man to see. Solange

It takes a lot to be noticed in the music industry, but it takes even more to carve out your own niche when your sister is literally Beyonce. Solange has been making music for years, but with her most recent album A Seat At The Table she stepped out of her sister’s shadow and became truly appreciated as an artist in her own right. She deserves every ounce of recognition too, as she’s one of the most talented vocalists around today, and guaranteed to close the festival in style.

Giggs

Peckham’s finest, Giggs has been around for over a decade now, constantly grinding away at the coalface of UK rap, even when it wasn’t fashionable. Early hits like ‘Talkin the Hardest’ and ‘Look What The Cat Dragged In’ flagged him as a unique talent, but recent album Landlord and his features on Drake’s More Life playlist are what cemented him as a legend. JHEEZ.

Cardi B

We know, we know. We’re sick of ‘Bodak Yellow’ too, but there’s much more to Cardi B than one hit single. The first solo female rapper to top the Billboard Top 100 since Lauryn Hill, Cardi B has followed up her debut with collaborations with Migos (‘Motorsport’), 21 Savage (‘Bartier Cardi’) and even Bruno Mars (‘Finesse’). With names like that backing her, you know she’s something special. …‘Bodak Yellow’ is still an absolute banger, too.

J Hus

‘Talk about Hus you better #UGLY’. So said J Hus on his 2015 track ‘No Lie’. Since then it seems like everyone has started talking about the genre-hopping Stratford native. Since debut album Common Sense was released his career has hit the stratosphere, backed by songs like ‘Did You See’ and ‘Bouff Daddy’. His performance at Longitude will go off in a major way.

Words by Jakes Hawkes