Grime artists including Lady Leshurr collab with Symphony Orchestra

A line-up of Birmingham-based rap, grime and hip-hop artists, including openly pansexual Lady Leshurr, have collaborated with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) to show that "symphonic music is for everyone”.

Credit: Jamie Drew

The orchestra’s chief executive, Emma Stenning, said grime was one of the "defining musical languages of Birmingham" and hoped that the collaboration which took place at the Legacy gig on 12th April 2025, would bring "new perspectives" to orchestral performances.

She added that the invited guest-musicians – Lady Leshurr alongside Big Dog Yogo, Brixx, C4, Creezon, Jaykae, Mayhem, Nodb, Pressure0121, Roxxxan, Saf One, Sox, T Roadz, Trappy and Trilla – were “15 of Birmingham's leading music icons,” who performed live alongside the orchestra, mixing grime and rap songs such as ‘Murdah’, ‘Woo Riddim’, ‘Toothache’ and ‘Moscow’ with orchestral music. Stenning hoped that the musical crossover event would show that CBSO is "truly is Birmingham's orchestra".

The orchestra in this celebration of Birmingham's music scene held at the Symphony Hall was led by multi-award-winning conductor Phil Meadows, and was supported by Dunard Fund towards the CBSO Explores series.

Following the successful and historic 'Legacy' event in Birmingham, the production's next stop is London's Southbank Centre on 28th April 2025.