With Shotty Horroh
Toronto-based Shotty Horroh was born and raised in Manchester, U.K. and he’s a big fan of Man City (he even rapped on the club’s 2019 promo video). His most recent album is Salt of the Earth (2018), and on July 6 he’ll be in town to play a show at Amigos Cantina. Here are six of his favourite songs. /Gregory Beatty
“Closer Than Close”
Rosie Gaines | Closer Than Close (1995)
This song epitomizes U.K. Garage music. Later, it kind of turned into House. It’s the sound I grew up with. It was the Sunday kind of music you would tidy your house to.
“Fake Tales of San Francisco”
Arctic Monkeys | Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not (2006)
The Arctic Monkeys really represented being a lad in England, going to the pub and first experiences in clubs with girls. Fake Tales of San Francisco is just a cool song about posers. We perform it at gigs every now and again, and have our own version.
“Don’t Look Back In Anger”
Oasis | (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? (1995)
This is a super-anthemic song that just galvanizes everyone and brings them together. It’s also great when the beer’s flowing. Noel Gallagher is from Manchester too, and with all the tragedies that have happened there this seems to be the retaliation song that helps us stand together as Manchester.
“Down Foe My Thang”
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony | Creepin’ On ah Come Up (1994)
This one is funny for an Englishman to say, because it’s like “thing” but with an “A”. I’m the biggest fan in the world and know every word. This is one of the songs that made me want to be a rapper.
“The Way I Am”
Eminem | The Marshall Mathers LP (2000)
The beat is good obviously, but it’s his syllabics and acrobatics as a rapper that make it great. The patterns, symmetries and cadences are perfect. It’s like the super-science behind rap, and it’s one of the best forms I’ve seen that could be displayed commercially and consumed by the average listener.
“People are Strange”
The Doors | Strange Days (1967)
This is such a simple and minimalistic tune, even with what Jim Morrison is doing vocally. But then it leads into something so intricate with all the extra instrumentation that comes around. Everything he says is bang-on, and it came from such a different and new place in his mind.