Mercury nominated rapper Ty has died, it has been confirmed.

The British-Nigerian artist - real name Ben Chijioke - was much loved figure within the UK hip-hop community, both for his warm, outgoing personality and his skills on the mic.

Nominated for the Mercury with his album 'Upwards', he contracted coronavirus earlier this year.

Admitted to hospital, an online fundraising account was set up to aid him, and it was reported earlier in the week that his condition had improved.

Sadly, The Voice has confirmed tonight - May 7th - that Ty has passed away at the age of 47.

Enormously sad news, his passing has prompted a wave of mourning across UK music.

If ever there was a time to discover your new favourite MC, or to re-visit some old classics, it's now.

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Rhys Lewis has a lightness of touch that emphasises his maturity.

Still emphatically youthful, his work seems to reach for the timeless, matching melodic restraint to a fine way with words.

New album ‘Things I Chose To Remember’ is out on July 10th, a record that has been a long time in the works.

Taken from the LP, new single 'The Sun Will Rise' is a hymn to optimism and recovery, one that couldn't come at a better time.

Clash caught up with Rhys Lewis to chat cultural touchstones...

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Books...

One of my favourite books from last year or so would probably be Travels With Charlie by John Steinbeck.

It’s a journal of his time traveling around America in a camper van with his dog. It’s a great snapshot of the U.S in the early 60s and it’s full of wise words and philosophical thoughts about life from one of the all-time greats.

TV...

I don’t really watch much TV so I’m probably not a good person to ask for recommendations in this department, but I’ve been getting into The Great British Menu on the BBC whilst in isolation.

It’s a cooking competition where the best chefs in the country design a five course meal that’s fit for a themed banquet at the end of the series. They battle it out and get judged by Michelin Star chefs until a winner for each course is chosen.

It’s funny how quickly you become a culinary “know-it-all” when you get into these shows. I caught myself saying “his chicken mousse looks far too dry” whilst watching an episode the other day... 

Film...

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly is up there as one of my favourite films. I loved westerns as a kid and this is as good as they get. It’s an epic story and all the characters are so memorable, not to mention how good the soundtrack is. I’ve got it on vinyl I love it that much. It’s also part of a trilogy so I’d you end up liking it there are two more incredible films to get into.

Album...

An album I played to death growing up that I still listen to often now is 'Led Zeppelin II'. It’s the record that made me fall in love with the guitar, and one that still inspires me to this day. The musicianship on that record is unreal, every time I put it on it seems to jumps of the speakers in a way no other record does.

Gadgets...

I don’t have many gadgets so this is probably a really boring one, but I have this wine pump thing that essentially vacuum-seals wine bottles once you’ve opened them. It stops your wine going off as quickly, so you don’t have to rush through the bottle and can enjoy a glass every few days without worrying about wasting it.

Being a lonely single man, it’s good to have a device that gives you one less reason for drinking a whole bottle of wine on your own in the middle of the week.

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Rhys Lewis will release new album 'Things I Chose To Remember' on July 10th.

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Milo Gore will release new album 'How Do You Cope While Grieving For The Living?' this summer.

The five-piece met while studying at Falmouth University in Cornwall, a quartet brought together by mutual interests and a shared sense of humour.

Each of those elements come to the fore on new single 'Green Eyes', a fizzing piece of pop-edged indie that lights the path for their new album.

'How Do You Cope While Grieving For The Living?' is out on August 20th, and this new single bursts out of the traps with relentless energy.

The video is online now, with Milo Gore commenting:

“The ‘Green Eyes’ music video is about the rise and fall of Milo’s past relationship. The video depicts the story of how he and his girlfriend first met, and consequently, how they drifted apart. The two should have never ended up together - they both had issues with their mental health, issues that were clearly going unchecked. Perhaps that’s what initially brought them together? However, it was sadly the thing that also tore them apart.”

“A video about self-discovery, that eventually ends with a smile, as Robi, the actor who plays Milo, ends up in the same place he had initially met his ex-girlfriend. The song, and the video, are both about learning to be content on your own again. Hindsight is a beautiful thing...” 

Tune in now.

Join us on the ad-free creative social network Vero, as we get under the skin of global cultural happenings. Follow Clash Magazine as we skip merrily between clubs, concerts, interviews and photo shoots. Get backstage sneak peeks, exclusive content and access to Clash Live events and a true view into our world as the fun and games unfold.

Rock 'n' roll pioneer Little Richard has died.

A truly outrageous talent, Little Richard brought black R&B to white America with a series of searing, unforgettable sides, with his technicolour personality exploding on to US TV screens.

A bisexual extrovert whose libidinous songwriting left little to the imagination, hits such as 'Tutti Frutti' immortalised the singer.

Yet beneath this he was a troubled soul - drug addiction pushed him to the brink, before later abandoning rock 'n' roll for the church.

These two leanings - music and spirituality - would wrestle for his soul, with Little Richard moving between them over the subsequent decades.

Returning to music in the 60s, a young Jimi Hendrix cut his teeth in his outfit, with Little Richard remaining a potent, and in-demand stage performer.

Later settling in Nashville, his incredible life included tabloid infamy and a guest spot on Sesame Street.

Rolling Stone broke the news of Little Richard's death a few moments ago - he was 87 years old.

Join us on the ad-free creative social network Vero, as we get under the skin of global cultural happenings. Follow Clash Magazine as we skip merrily between clubs, concerts, interviews and photo shoots. Get backstage sneak peeks, exclusive content and access to Clash Live events and a true view into our world as the fun and games unfold.