In this powerful Glasgow Sessions conversation, Richard Lee is joined by three voices helping to shape a new chapter for Scottish music: G Spartan, The Real Genesis, and The Next Gimmick (TNG). Recorded at Glasgow University, this episode explores the ambition, creativity and community behind Rewired Culture and Urban Region - a growing artist-development platform built to give emerging musicians more than just a release. It is about building real opportunities: performance spaces, studio support, collaboration, media visibility, creative development and a genuine pathway for artists trying to turn their work into something sustainable. Spartan shares the story behind Urban Region’s beginnings, including its roots in recovery, transformation and the belief that music can help people find purpose, confidence and a voice. Genesis opens up about the connection between music, mental health and honest storytelling, while Gimmick brings his experience as an artist, mentor, promoter and champion of the wider Scottish hip-hop community. Together, they discuss why Scotland’s rap scene has its own identity - gritty, direct, poetic and unafraid to speak from lived experience. They explore the importance of rapping in your own accent, finding your own voice rather than copying someone else’s sound, and respecting the generations of Scottish artists who built the culture before them. This is also a conversation about practical action. The guests talk about the barriers facing independent artists, from studio costs and access to gigs to the challenge of being talented online but never being given a stage. They explain why open mics, small shows, networking and collaboration remain essential training grounds for any performer. We also speak about the first Rewired Culture Presents showcase on the 30th August 2026 at The Poetry Club: an ambitious live event designed not as a standard gig with support acts and a headline slot, but as a continuous, immersive show. With multiple artists, collaborations, blended transitions and no traditional headliner, the aim is to spotlight the depth of talent in the Scottish scene and make the audience experience the entire movement, not just one performer. Other topics include: The evolution of Rewired Culture from a recovery-focused music label into a wider creative platform Why Scottish hip-hop, rap and grime deserve more consistent space in Glasgow’s music culture The value of mentorship, constructive criticism and being surrounded by artists who make you better Gimmick’s work with Tartan Lyrics and his forthcoming multi-genre project, Split The collaborative new track “Look at Me Now” from Spartan, Genesis and Gimmick Building an in-house production and artist-development system Rewired Culture TV, music videos, livestreams, podcasts and affordable content creation Community performance spaces, open mics and the Clutha Bar scene Sobriety, recovery, mental health, abuse, resilience and turning life experience into art Scottish storytelling, poetry, Gaelic culture and the idea of rappers as modern-day bards Richard sharing some of his own writing and getting real-time encouragement from the guests Expect stories, laughter, honest advice, plenty of Glasgow shout-outs, and a real sense of the energy building around independent music in Scotland. If you are an artist, writer, producer, performer, promoter or simply someone interested in the future of Scottish hip-hop, this episode is for you. Follow Glasgow Sessions for more conversations with the musicians, writers, cultural figures and creative voices making things happen across Glasgow and beyond.
