Manchester’s community-driven rap collective Raise The Bar has teamed up with Low Four Studio at Deansgate Mews to launch an exciting new late-night YouTube series celebrating the city’s blossoming rap scene.
Blending live performance, interviews and a unique Raise-The-Barometer challenge, the pilot episode features Maxi Zee, Prido, Conor & The Greenskeepers, and OneDa. Reach the top of the Barometer and The Cypher – a freestyle session where even the audience can take part – is unlocked.
The show is the latest in Low Four’s work championing Manchester talent from its home on Deansgate Mews, with the latest venture reinforcing its mission to spotlight underrepresented voices in rap.
Low Four Co-Director Dan Parrott said:
“We always try to work with specialists within each scene, and teaming up with Raise The Bar was a no-brainer. We wanted to create something authentic—but also fun—and that’s exactly what it’s become.”
Now celebrating its second anniversary, Raise The Bar runs monthly open-mic competitions from Aatma in the Northern Quarter, in addition to hosting radio shows and festival collaborations—most recently a Festival Square takeover as part of Manchester International Festival.
Migraine Mowgli, host of the Raise The Bar show, added:
“Working with the team at Low Four has been amazing. We initially started collaborating on an album at the studio, and when Dan mentioned that the name ‘Raise The Bar’ sounded like a game show… well, that’s when the concept took flight.”
Co-founder Estee Lynch continued:
“Beyond events, we offer artist management and A&R support, helping rappers navigate an industry that often overlooks them. This show is another platform to amplify underrepresented voices and highlight rap as the creative, powerful force it truly is.”
The first episode is live now — watch on the Low Four YouTube channel and subscribe for future releases.