A Bradford based MC group have influenced the region with their 'crazy' videos and lyrics, true to their Yorkshire routes - it's kind of a love or hate affair, which we can't help but love.
Bad Boy Chiller Crew (BBCC) have gone from uploading comedy and prank videos to social media during lockdown, to give people a laugh in the rollercoaster time, to a sold out tour and hits in the UK charts. On Tuesday night, 2,300 people packed into the Leeds O2 Academy to see the sold out BBCC gig - we got to go along.
It started in lockdown when my boyfriend would tag me in the BBCC's videos on social media - which I admit were a guilty pleasure I couldn't help but watch. I bought him some of their merchandise as a joke, it massively backfired when he refused to take them off.
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The O2 crowd was quite bizarre, it was a mix between an under 18s disco (maybe I'm just getting old) and older people who perhaps were trying to cling onto their youth? You could definitely tell it was first gig for some - it was clear lots of sore heads awaited.
We knew they were due on stage when the stagehand set a bottle of vodka down - for Clive to 'neck' later in the performance. After a delay, for technical difficulties, they appeared as their well-known hyperactive selves.
I did enjoy their entrance - I'm not sure if it was because I'm a journo or because it was very fitting to them - the crowd got a mimic 'breaking news' story with the unmistakable BBC News intro, which said: "Five men from Bradford are on the run this evening following a breakout from a local studio.
"Three of the five men have been identified as Kane, Clive and GK, who are also known as the Bradford based boyband Bad Boy Chiller Crew. Along side their unknown accomplice who goes by the name of Kitchen Steve, a man in a balaclava..."
Of course, the crowd went crazy and a sea of iPhones appeared in the air to record a glimpse of the Bradford group. They started the set with 'So Much in Love' from their Disrespectful album.
Although, I'm not completely sure there was much singing going on from the BBCC, they seemed to shout the odd word through the mic out of their songs throughout the set, especially a lot more with their newer tracks. I'm not sure if the vodka had gone to their heads by this point or whether they generally don't know their own songs word for word.
Whatever the reason the crowd were sure having a good time. When 450 came on after the encore Kane, Clive and GK sure knew the words and the O2 went wild.
I loved the stage set, we had confetti fired into the crowd and fireworks on stage, BBCC definitely know how to put on a good show. I thought the venue was a perfect fit too. Maybe I'm just getting old but I much prefer a smaller gig venue and I always feel like I have a better time at an O2 Academy than a huge arena.
At times, I felt a little out of place and too old to be in that crowd I did enjoy the gig, the Bradford-based boyband know how to put on a performance, although their singing isn't quite up to scratch I almost feel like that's not what you're there for. If their videos are anything to go by they want to make their fans laugh and show them a good time and that's what they do.
BBCC are who they are and they are so very proud of it. They don't try and act different to please the music industry and that's clear whether from Tuesday's gig in Leeds or watching a video on social media. I think BBCC will always be my guilty pleasure and I would definitely go and see them live again. If you haven't seen them then you should.
Setlist
So Much in Love
Get Out Of My Head
On My Way
My Place
The Things You Do
Kyla Why Did You Play Me
Eyes At Me
Messages
Bikes N Scoobys
Alize
Forget Me
You're The Best Thing
Wasted On Ya
Baby Boy
Footsteps
George Best
BMW
Free
Skank All Night
450
Don't Worry About Me
