Dancehall, Grime and DnB meets northern grit and self made confidence – this is Che3kz, a Manchester rapper coming off the back of a viral PenGame battle involving a lisp and some sausages. Before reviewing her new single ‘My Block‘ I went along to see the artist perform at Surround Sounds at part of Manchester International Festival (MIF).
Cheeky indeed, alone on a platform, mic in hand, she held the audience. Not an easy thing to do in a space the size of an aircraft hanger. Che3kz is real, she’ll tell you her story, make you laugh and then hit you hard. This is a voice that’s being heard and she’s making sure of it.
New single ‘My Block‘ gets the star treatment at the end of the set. This is when the crowd comes alive. The track hadn’t been released yet and more than a few people seemed to be watching Che3kz for the first time, but it translated instantly to the dance floor. DJs you have been told…
Within the write up for the ‘My Block‘ music video it says:’ When she spits “This is my block with the black culture shops” she’s not just repping her postcode — she’s honouring the culture, the people, and the roots that raised her. Her words speak to more than just location — they represent community pride, cultural roots, and everyday resilience. From hair salons to takeaways, corner shops to street corners, she shines a light on the places and people that give her story depth and meaning. Che3kz proudly holds up a mirror to the richness of her environment. She pays homage to the community that shaped her. Every bar is rooted in place, pride, and identity.‘
Che3kz isn’t an overnight sensation by any means, her current success is at least 10 years of hard graft in the making. The skills and craft are plain to see. Time to get behind this one.
Follow Che3kz on Instagram | YouTube | TikTok
Review by Breige Cobane
Keep up to date with all new content on Joyzine via our
Facebook | Bluesky | Instagram | Threads | Mailing List