A RAPPER from Ayr will make his Celtic Connections debut in 2025.

Bemz, whose real name is Bujemi Iyiku, is set to join Glasgow musician Corto Alto for a performance at the Barrowland Ballroom on January 18 at 7.30pm.

This opportunity to collaborate with the artist came through the connections he'd built in the industry.

He was sent an email and message asking if he would 'grace the stage with his presence'.

The set is described as a mini-festival and will include music from a variety of Scottish and UK talent.

Bemz teased that his performance was going to be "big", "full of energy" and "filled with love".

He will join Corto Alto and various other artists at the Barrowlands Ballroom next year (Image: Euan Robertson) He said: “When I was asked to do this, I had an excitement in me. 

"The Barrowlands is only a venue I’ve played once and that was for an opener, so to get the opportunity to come back again on my own merit is amazing, and I’m forever grateful to the people at Celtic Connections and Corto Alto for letting me do this.”

Despite being born in Nigeria, Bemz lived in Ayr for a few years, and even studied sound production at Ayrshire College.

Ayr was even the location of his first sell-out show, which was at Sound Magic around seven years ago.

He added: “My career started in Stranraer but it grew to its peak whilst I was in Ayr, if it wasn’t for the love that I received from the people in Ayr I don’t think I would be in the position that I’m in now, and I’m forever grateful for Ayr and it’ll always have a place in my heart.

"I'd like to say thank you to the people of Ayr and Ayrshire for their love and constant support they have given me over the course of my career.”

Over the years, he has won multiple awards, including Scottish Music Awards ‘Sound of Scotland’ award, DJ Mag's 'Breakthrough MC/Vocalist Best of British' Award, and BBC Introducing's inaugural 'Scottish Act of the Year', which he considers a career highlight.

Despite the big stage and large crowd he's set to perform for, the rapper still considers smaller, intimate gigs more "nerve-wracking".

At the moment, he says his aspirations for his career are to "continue going" and "continue growing so we end up in bigger and better spots".