In 2021, when Lotus announced that it would be putting down the lively family of Elise, Exige, and Evora sportscars, the automotive world wept. Few brands, especially a comparatively small British one, had such a stronghold on drivers. These cars had a soft spot in every car fanatic’s heart; their manual gearboxes, potent engines, lightweight construction, and deathly behavioral habits were an intoxicating mix for anyone looking for a thrill ride. So how would Lotus bounce back from this then-devastating news? With the Emira. The marque itself knows this car will split opinions: “It’s everything you’d expect from a Lotus, but like nothing you’d expect,” reads the lead blurb. Indeed, it is everything we did anticipate – light and nimble on the front end, appropriately powered without feelin...
Chelsea Football Club and England forward Raheem Sterling has launched a scholarship fund that aims to close the gap in the number of Black British students who go to university.Recent studies have found that less than five percent of UK students beginning undergraduate degrees in the 2021-22 academic year were Black. Now, through Sterling's foundation, the former Manchester City winger has partnered with the University of Manchester and King's College London to fund scholarships for seven students at each institution.The first four scholarships will go to students beginning degree programs in 2023-24 and these will be split evenly between the two universities in Manchester and London. Commenting on his new initiative, Sterling said: "This opportunity will help young people access further ...
Wanting to spotlight the grassroots collectives making a change in their respective communities, Hypebeast teams up with HOKA ahead of their debut sponsorship of the Hackney Half Marathon. Supporting two running clubs that have started from the ground up with a mission to promote inclusivity, the brand has committed to allocating funding to grow their community-led initiatives.Despite being one of the most accessible sports, running can also be one of the most daunting to take part in. Whether it’s finding time around a busy schedule or even acknowledging the dangers of running alone at night time, it’s this apprehension that prevents people from experiencing the physical and mental benefits of the sport. Through the power of collectiveness, these local running clubs have been formed to br...
After a four-year closure, London's historical His Master's Voice music shop is set to reopen on Oxford Street in 2023. The century-old music retailer was first established in 1921 and quickly became the city's go-to destination for all musical specialties, including discography purchases, signings, and in-store performances for London's top stars. Following its takeover by Sunrise Records, the bustling imprint closed down due to outdated systems and the fall of DVD and CD demand. The reopening will see HMV deliver a "dramatic turnaround" by providing a new retail structure, dubbed HMV Shop. By the end of 2023, the music titan aims to distribute the updated experience to 24 new sites and 14 existing stores nationwide. His Master's Voice will return to its original location on London's Oxfo...
The UK has been producing world-class musicians for decades now, from John Lennon, Elton John, and Amy Winehouse, to the new-school superstars of Ed Sheeran, Central Cee, and Harry Styles, the British Isles have been a melting pot for singers, songwriters, and producers that have the capabilities of sending the world into a musical frenzy when they release new material.With this in mind, Hypebeast is now beginning its new weekly series of the best UK music releases to keep up-to-date with. Diving into the rugged sonics of grime and drill, the silky-smooth melodies carrying the nation's blossoming R&B scene, and everything in between, this series will aim to keep your ears razor sharp, while giving a platform to some of the UK's most exciting talent as it continues to represent Britain ...
British auto firm McLaren has a knack for creating some of the world's quickest road cars -- just take your mind back to the all-mighty McLaren F1, which was the fastest car in the world for more than a decade until the Bugatti Veyron came along. That former car is still, almost thirty years on, the fastest naturally aspirated production car, but that hasn't stopped McLaren from chasing other monumental figures. Enter the McLaren 750S, the marque's latest weapon of attack.While the model number -- 750 -- might throw some of you off, as it is lower than the would-be flagship the 765LT, this new car is in fact McLaren's most wild supercar to date. It uses a twin-turbocharged V8 engine that produces 740 HP and 800 Nm of torque, which is good for 0-62 MPH in 2.8 seconds, 0-124 MPH in 7.2 secon...
Liverpool FC and England defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has just announced the launch of The After Academy, a new initiative that will provide career opportunities for former academy players who wish to launch a new career path outside of professional football.Last year, the Liverpool academy graduate posted on social media, asking for accounts of released academy players to reach out about how their football experiences had affected them. Many of those who shared with Trent felt their time in a football academy had negatively affected their education, career prospects, and mental health -- issues that Trent had witnessed first-hand through his peers growing up.As per Abertay University, a study showed that 55% of players from football academies suffered from clinical levels of psychologi...
Rising UK rapper Strandz has made his return with a brand new single titled "J’adore," the latest record to follow up from his breakout anthem "Us Against The World," which came with a huge remix with Digga D.Those who are fans of the 2000s-era that underpinned "Us Against The World" will be happy with the fact that more of the same influence is echoed throughout this new release. However, this time, Strandz seems even more polished than before, using his fitful flow to paint a picture of the high-end lifestyle he is now becoming accustomed to since his aggressive inception into the game.Additionally, Strandz has also been listed as a co-producer of the record, who works the buttons alongside Henry Pritchard and his girlfriend Lola, who lays down some smooth ad-libs for good measure. As fo...
A mystery Premier League footballer has just gone viral on social media after he released a song under the pseudonym, DIDE.The player -- who is yet to reveal his identity -- describes himself as a "rapper at home, footballer on the pitch" on his Instagram account. And while the footballer is yet to come clean about his music passion, fans have quickly discovered that the rhymer plays for one of the Premier League's London-based clubs as his recently-dropped visuals for his new record "Thrill" take to the streets of the UK's capital.Various names have been mentioned about who the rapper could be, with the likes of Wilfred Zaha, Noni Madueke, and Reiss Nelson all being rumored, however, Arsenal forward Eddie Nketiah seems to be the fan-favorite.For the track itself, the steady-rolling rap jo...
Bristol native Conducta has been at the forefront of British garage culture for the past decade. The DJ and producer shows no signs of slowing down, looking to dominate 2023 with new music destined for the UK charts. Conducta continues his journey with an all-new single in collaboration with British grime MC, Novelist. “Get Busy With It” ushers in a new sound for Conducta and explores his high-paced lifestyle traveling worldwide. The track combines grime, garage, and dubstep into one hit-worthy cross-over, taking inspiration from international club culture and the freedom of dropping new music. Banging techno beats encapsulate “Get Busy With It” with dynamic energy made for future club nights. Novelist sets lyrical foundations with hard-hitting verses that inject captivating attitude into ...
It only feels like yesterday since Manchester's Aitch burst onto the UK music scene with his viral Straight Rhymez freestyle. And while the record dropped four years ago, the 23-year-old rhymer has continued to remain at the pinnacle of the UK rap scene -- and his brand-new single "Round 2" outlines the journey he's endured to stay there.The new record is Aitch's first single to drop since his debut album Close To Home -- which reached number two in the official UK charts -- released, and during his short hiatus, the rapper has picked up a BRIT Award for Best Hip-Hop/Grime Act, while also keeping active on stage with live shows globally.Hopping onto a jumpy rap instrumental courtesy of Aitch's regular production collaborators, WhyJay and LiTek, the song outlines the financial journey Aitch...
Glastonbury Festival has sat at the helm of British festival culture for decades and is the UK's largest musical event held every summer in Somerset, England. For 2023, Glastonbury Festival has announced an extensive line-up of international artists. Arctic Monkeys and Guns N' Roses will lead the five-day occasion alongside Elton John, Lana Del Rey, Lil Nas X, and many more. Although the festival's 2023 tickets sold out in under an hour, Glastonbury has announced its second round of ticket sales for those who missed out the first time. As a result, event passes will be re-released twice, with coach packages going live on April 20 at 6 p.m. BST. General admission entry will go up for sale on April 23 at 9 a.m. BST, while attendees can purchase a maximum of four tickets at once. For the firs...