Kid British

Inspired by indie rock, ska, and hip-hop, Mancunian four-piece Kid British have an eclectic sound that, combined with their witty social commentary, has been described as Blur meets OutKast. Formed in 2008, childhood friends Adio Marchant, James Mayer, and Simeon McLean, regulars on the Manchester garage scene, teamed up with jobbing producer Sean Mbaya under the guise of Kid British and the Action Manky. After shortening their name, they signed a deal with Mercury Records in 2008, and performed in front of London Mayor Boris Johnson during an impromptu series of gigs at London tube stations to promote their first EP. Following support slots on the Enemy and the Specials' U.K. tour, and appearances at the V and Glastonbury festivals, their Madness-sampling single "Our House Is Dadless" was championed by Radio 1's Chris Moyles, and became their first Top 75 hit. Their It Was This or Football: First Half EP reached number 67 but their "Second Half" remains as yet unreleased, while their unofficial 2010 World Cup anthem, released a day after England was knocked out, failed to chart. ~ Jon O'Brien, Rovi