Skinnyman, Soul Biscuits, Cabaret Voltaire, Edinburgh, 19 Jan

Appropriately enough, tonight's special guest was Skinnyman, providing an unbeatable British hip-hop soundtrack to the evening; showcasing new tracks, and modern classics from his hit 2004 underground album Council State of Mind. His distinctive voice and powerful rhymes helped secure his place as one of the best UK MCs around, bringing rap from the streets of Leeds and London up to Edinburgh for this one-off exclusive performance. Warming up the stage for the great man himself was The Whole Mud Fam, a collective of soulful rappers and long-time friends of Skinnyman, influenced by dancehall and reggae beats, who proved themselves to be true masters of their craft. Resident DJ (or turntablist, as he prefers to be known) Nasty P was his usual funky self spinning tracks in the main room, while special guests E.N.O and B.Z (Xplicit) brought some well-received banging drum and bass tunes to the back room. Tonight's crowd witnessed some of the very best, fresh and inspirational acts in the UK hip-hop scene; a truly unforgettable night for all involved. [Karen Taggart]