How LayFullstop's Rap Revolution is Taking Jazz Cow to the Next Level

(Even my wife’s a fan now!)

Let me tell you about LayFullstop, the one artist on the Jazz Cow soundtrack who isn't based in London. She’s originally from Birmingham but has been in Manchester for a good 15 years or so, and that's where Lay’s been making waves. I first heard about her through AJ Haseley from Influential Music, who suggested adding a rapper to the title sequence. At first, I wasn’t sure. I mean, we already had the incredible Heidi Vogel on vocals, and I didn’t want to overcrowd it. Sure, shows like Fresh Prince and The Boondocks have great rap intros that set the vibe, but I just wasn’t convinced—until AJ sent me one of Lay’s videos. One watch, and I was like, “Yes! Can we get her on board?”

She’s brilliant, so real, and packed with integrity. Now, even my wife’s a fan. Lay’s got this natural storytelling ability that just shines through, no ego—just pure, rich ideas.

When Lay saw what Jazz Cow was all about, she got just as excited as we were. She said

“It’s fantastic. Having something like this for our generation, creatively moving with the times, it’s really nice. I’m more than happy to be part of it.”

Before I go on, it's time for a quick ad break—our Kickstarter is live! What are you waiting for? Back it now while some items are still on special offer. Lay is about to bring something fresh to Jazz Cow, but we need your support!

We spoke about her early years, how her music evolved, and how her parents’ musical tastes shaped her. Her mum was all about the mainstream 90s—Mary J. Blige, Missy Elliott, and gospel—while her dad was into eclectic stuff, like Jamiroquai, Japanese fusion, and video game music. It was clear how much her upbringing and values shaped her music. That blend of sounds really influenced her as she began putting poetry into music. But it wasn’t until she settled in Manchester and found her creative groove that things really took off. She got involved with these organisations that were like youth groups, but focused on arts—poetry, music, acting—and that’s where her sound started to develop.

She described how it all clicked, saying,

“You can only be yourself in your music once you figure out who you are. That’s been a big part of my journey—understanding what matters to me: faith, family, music, and creativity.”

She mentioned how much she enjoys experimenting with sounds, playing around with hip hop, jazz, and soul, while always staying true to her roots. “I want people to enjoy the music but also take something from it,” she said. And with her love for big kicks, deep bass, and that hard-hitting vibe, she’s got that soulful element of hip hop that really resonates.

Off the back of Jazz Cow, we talked a lot about technology, algorithms, and the importance of keeping creativity real and staying grounded. This theme came up a few times. She is who she is. Lay rejects the hyper-individualism that digital spaces push and finds a balance between the real world and the digital one. She talked about how everything’s changing so fast now, with platforms evolving every few months. “Social media creates this constant race,” she said, “but what are we really running for?”

One of the most important things for Lay is maintaining that real-world connection—being in a physical community where people can meet, create, and share in person. “We didn’t realise how rare that would become,” she said.

We also touched on how the best ideas often come when you’re not in a rush. That’s why she makes sure to separate what she does from who she is, so her self-worth isn’t tied to how her music is received.

Lay’s big on mentoring, which is such a core part of this new wave of British jazz and the wider jazz-adjacent scene. She’s been mentoring for a while now, and it’s something she’s passionate about—giving back and learning as much from those she helps as they do from her. It’s that two-way street, that sense of community, that keeps her rooted. “British jazz is opening up,” she said, “we’re here, though—because we don’t worry about fitting into the mainstream.”

Lay’s excited to build on this, to keep pushing boundaries in her music while staying true to herself. And she’s ready to bring all of that—her creativity, her experimentation, and her heart—to Jazz Cow. Trust me, this is going to be something special. But we need your help, please back the Kickstarter and share it with others who might like it.