Liverpool: Sumuyya

Sumuyya Khader is a cross-discipline creative working and living in her hometown of Liverpool.

First and foremost, Sumuyya is an illustrator whose style was recently described by Creative Boom as a “digital Matisse look.” Scroll through her Instagram, though, and you’ll soon see that her artistic practice isn’t limited solely to visual works. Whether through stunning pieces inspired by Solange and Shabaka Hutchings or the archive she is developing to chronicle Black music and culture in Liverpool, music is paramount to everything Sumuyya does.

Ahead of a special show on Liverpool’s Melodic Distraction station this Saturday (15 May) for New Balance’s Grey Day, Sumuyya has put together a mix of tracks from her hometown to celebrate the city which she represents so proudly.

Birmingham: Lauren Ralph

Operating from his home studio in Birmingham, Lauren Ralph is a producer and DJ with a regular slot on No Signal Radio. Lauren broke through as the musical architect of Blue Room Mafia, a Birmingham rap troupe with agile flows and loose, addictive instrumentals. But as an artist in his own right, pigeonholing his sound to a label like “UK rap” doesn’t do it justice.

Through a wide range of influences and a skill for unlocking sharp, off-centre vocal performances from artists, Lauren’s crafted an expansive pop style of his own which retains some of the DIY iciness which marked the early Blue Room Mafia releases. Ahead of a special broadcast on No Signal Radio this Saturday (15 May) for New Balance’s Grey Day, Lauren dug into the sounds of his home city for a wildly enjoyable crackaud.io mix. The Streets meets Steel Pulse meets a bag of original productions. Welcome to Brum.

Glasgow: Wheelman

Since 2015, Glaswegian producer, DJ and label boss Wheelman has been quietly cementing a status as one of British club culture’s most thoughtful and trusted figures. His Stereotone label has been responsible for a series of legendary parties at La Cheetah Club and a catalogue of releases situated in the foggier, looser end of house and techno.

Like so much of Glasgow’s musical history, Wheelman’s sound is one rooted in history but constructed with enough energy and imagination to feel totally contemporary. So who better to give us a joyride tour of the city’s varied electronic blueprints? Hit play for sounds from Glasgow’s underground. And if that’s not enough, tune in to the city’s best radio station, Clyde Built Radio, this Saturday (15 May) for more Wheelman celebrating New Balance’s Grey Day.

Manchester: Meme Gold

DJ, artist, radio host, designer and performer Meme Gold embodies a loose, no-rules picture of creativity. Operating from her native Manchester, Meme (pronounced me-me) has built an authentic brand for herself by placing her exuberant personality and boundless energy centre-stage through music, broadcasting, clothing and events.

This Saturday (15 May), Meme is returning to Reform Radio in Manchester for a special hour-long show to celebrate New Balance’s Grey Day with a clutch of tunes and some special guests in tow. If you can’t wait that long, tune into this 100% Manchester mix which Meme has put together especially for Crack Magazine.

London: cktrl

While Crack Magazine cover star cktrl (Bradley Miller) might be most associated with delicate instrumental arrangements and striking visuals, his work shouldn’t be misunderstood as specialist or stuffy. Having cut his teeth through Boiler Room streams and low-key club sets, Miller remains deeply connected to London’s DIY network and applies the same unclassifiable approach to listening to music as he does making it.

Bradley will be broadcasting an hour of selections on Worldwide FM this Saturday (15 May) for New Balance’s Grey Day. To get you in the mood, he’s also put together a London-only mix for crackaud.io.