We are delighted to welcome Harstad ambassador and former Tungtvann general Poppa Lars as the producer and curator for this closing concert at this year´s festival. A gala evening with the best the far north has to offer in Hip Hop. The guest list of artists seemed pretty obvious and consists of the former collaborator of Poppa Lars - Joddski, Harstad´s very own RSP (who has brought along producer and DJ Thomax from Bodø), Knish (resident in Oslo but who has roots in Finnmark and Tromsø), and Masi´s favourite SlinCraze. It would not be a surprise if several other artists suddenly take to the stage because Lars has promised us a rap show with something special - a focus on unexpected formations, shifts of mood and a gathering of the talents!

Joddski, earlier known as Jørg-1, has enjoyed renewed success as a solo artist following a year of sold out gigs with the band Tungtvann. Last year he released the album "Bygdedyret" to widespread acclaim, as well as the single "Bjørn Sundquist" - with Sundquist himself rapping in the video. In connection with the album he released the mockumentary "A difficult time" which in a humble fashion shines a critical light on the music branch. In April the follow up album "Han Far» came out, where he was joined amongst others by one of our visiting artists Agy on the single "Gærnt med mæ". Hold on…she is already in town…?The eternally young Jan Steigen has also confirmed that he will be heading this way.

RSP and Thomax last year released the album "Dykkersyke" as the fourth and final installment of the N.O.R.D. tetralogy. According to Wikipedia RSP is known for his intense style and easily recognisable voice, for us he is a local lad who creates uncompromising music and has fresh attitudes to the music branch. The duo´s biggest hit was "Nordaførr", based on the classic of the same name, which he has also sung with the author and singer Halvdan Sivertsen. A less well known fact is that RSP were also behind musical jingles for TV2 football coverage of the Norwegian premiere league (2011), possibility because RSP rarely mentions it. We are looking forward to hearing some tracks from the new album with the earlier mentioned Joddski performing  under the name Hålogalandslaget.

Klish has gently, yet assuredly worked his way upwards through a haphazard hierarchy since he released the debut album  "Bestandig" in 2013. 2-3 mixtapes, plus 2 EP´s  (including the  90´s-trance-sample "E.Y.M."), chart entries and several singles have led to a second album "Røyk og Speil" - which was cheekily released on the 1st of the April. He loves to play with contrasting themes; cats, dogs, hangups and girls with tattoos. But now he is turning his sights to larger topics; illusions and trickery, and general thoughts about what we would like to become. "Everyone else is just who they are; I want to be like them", as he states. His permanent producer is DJ Sorte Beats who will also be on his way to Harstad!

SlinCraze is the country´s most celebrated rap-artists with Sámi roots and is known to our own public after he took part in a performance called "Det er et helvete…" (It´s hell…). Since then he released the documentary "Arctic Superstar" at TIFF (Tromsø International Film Festival). He has performed for royalty, represented the Sámi territories in New York, made music together with the TV celebrity Truls Svendsen, received the RAMP stipend from Åge Aleksandersen, and in 2013 was crowned Sámi artist of the year by Sapmi Music. He contributed to the Joddski song "Djevelen RMX" earlier this year, which we might very well hear live on this night! We cannot wait!

After the concert the party continues with DJ GIRSON at the controls. He is probably still most well known as 1/3 of the notorious Bergen band A-Laget, or as the longtime stage sparring partner of Lars Vaular. In recent years he has become regarded as a sure bet for creating a great party - whether he is playing straight hip hop, RnB, Tech or anything else. At any rate, we are promised a thumping bass underpinning quality music- and keep on dancing – because the music will rock you right up til closing time!