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Gravesend talent network GTown Talents to host first exclusive rap and R&B festival in Kent

Hundreds could be lucky enough to score free tickets to a new Kent-based festival championing local talent and celebrating cultural diversity.

The rap and R&B event will be hosted by Gravesend-based agency, G Town Talents on September 16.

Devlin performing with Ed Sheeran at V Festival. Picture: @devlinartist/Instagram
Devlin performing with Ed Sheeran at V Festival. Picture: @devlinartist/Instagram

The festival will take place between 2pm and 8:30pm and feature two main acts among other local artists.

Among them will be rapper Devlin, who shot to fame in the 2010s when he released a single in collaboration with Ed Sheeran and Labrinth that charted in the Top 10 UK list.

He will be joined by indie Brixton rapper, Ard Adz whose unique music style and lyrics gained public attention and a small co-sign from Drake in 2012.

As well as live music, there will be community stalls, food vendors, a VIP area, bar provisions and a music industry panel.

Founder of the talent network, Jimmy Babalola said: “G Town Fest welcomes all ages to the festival and hopes to attract varied audiences from across age groups, genders and ethnicities.”

Founder of the talent network, Jimmy Babalola. Picture: G Town Talents
Founder of the talent network, Jimmy Babalola. Picture: G Town Talents

“G-Town Talents believes that music and the arts enrich society and enhance lives so have deliberately packaged GTF as a small scale festival that is free, inclusive and welcoming and that will serve as a hubspace for social integration and interaction for the people of Kent.”

Organisers have advised against children attending, and under 16’s must be accompanied by an over 18 ticket holder – ID may be required upon entry to verify.

There are a total of 850 free tickets up for grabs for the general public, with a staggered release so everyone has a chance of attending

Anyone interested can email gtownfest23@gmail.com to gain access to the private link on Eventbrite and tickets will be available on a first come, first serve basis.

The exact location has not yet been revealed but is part of the plan, explains Jimmy.

A group of solo artists performing at a G Town Talent freestyle competition in Gravesend. Picture: G Town Talents
A group of solo artists performing at a G Town Talent freestyle competition in Gravesend. Picture: G Town Talents

“Once we have sold out we will make an announcement - the location is not being revealed because it stops anyone turning up and we have said it will be exclusive for Kent,” he said.

G-Town Talents is a not-for-profit arts and music youth community organisation dedicated to supporting young people.

They won accolades during the pandemic for their work breaking down barriers and raising awareness of taboo subjects by giving young people a creative outlet through music and film.

The pressures of social media, use of drugs and dysfunctional family backgrounds are just some of the issues identified in their videos.

Their festival, G Town Fest will be the first of its kind for the charity and will aim to support local artists, facilitate exposure for them and encourage diversity in the industry.

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