Chali 2na of Jurassic Five UK Tour

Photo: Chali 2na

As part of one of the most iconic hip hop troupes in history, Charles Stewart AKA Chali 2na has leant his unique vocal stylings to some of the scene's most seminal records since hooking up with the crew J5 back in 1993.

Having been a long term friend of DJ and production genius Cut Chemist since high school, Chali 2na soon took up got the art rapping as part of Unity Committee, quickly followed by Rebels of Rhythm, which eventually became Jurassic 5. His low pitched, laid back vocals (his name comes from the deep voiced animated mascot of the StarKist Tuna fish) went on to became the backbone of the crew's four critically lauded albums.

His solo career too has welcomed a number of storming collaborations with the likes of Will.I Am and the Beatnuts, not to mention the immense longplayer Fish Outta Water (stream that above) which plays out as a rip-roaring journey through quirky hip hop, soulful sophistication and head nodding brilliance, glued together with Chali's low frequency musings.

October sees him arrive in the UK for a three date tour, starting in Manchester on the 1st, followed by Brighton and London. Grab your tickets to see the South Central wordsmith below.

Manchester / Club Academy / 1st October

Brighton / The Concorde 2 / 2nd October

London / Under The Bridge / 3rd October