Xidus Pain: UK Rap Artist Makes History as First Brit to Deliver Masterclass at Howard University
Black News 
Xidus Pain: UK Rap Artist Makes History as First Brit to Deliver Masterclass at Howard University
Xidus Pain isn’t just another name in the UK rap scene, he's a movement. A multi-award-winning international rap
artist, music practitioner, and Hip-Hop educator, Xidus has spent years pushing the culture forward.
Mentored by pioneers such as the Sugarhill Gang, Grandmaster Melle Mel, and the late Dr. Benjamin Zephaniah.
He blends lyrical mastery with cultural activism, proving that Hip-Hop is as much about knowledge as it is about rhythm.
From tearing down stages at the Royal Albert Hall, Jazz Café, O2 Empire, Alexandra Palace and even
rocking the legendary Vans Warped Tour, Xidus has shown that British rap belongs on the world’s
biggest platforms. But in 2025, he took that journey to new heights:
Making History at the Mecca
Breaking Boundaries: Xidus becomes the first British rap artist to headline a Masterclass at Howard University
the world renowned “Mecca” of Black excellence, Howard’s alumni include Vice President
Kamala Harris, Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, actor Chadwick Boseman, and Grammy-winner Roberta Flack.
This milestone isn’t just a personal achievement. It’s a cultural turning point, cementing
Xidus as a pioneering voice in UK music and Hip-Hop culture, breaking new ground for
British artists on the global stage.
The Tour That Bridges Worlds
Alongside Howard, Xidus will also deliver sessions at George Washington University, collaborating with
schools, studios, and cultural organisations up and down the East Coast.
These experiences will feed back into his work in the UK, particularly during
Black History Month, where Xidus will bring his insights home through a series of
workshops and masterclasses to inspire the next generation of artists.
Beyond the Stage
With projects archived in the British Library, collaborations with Grammy winners and Rock & Roll
Hall of Famers and recognition from the BBC as “one of the hardest working people in the music business
”, Xidus continues to champion Hip-Hop not just as an artform, but as a force for knowledge, equality, and social change.
His work has reached global audiences, with freestyle performances for the Olympic Games, the World Cup, and the
Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
A Voice for the Culture
“Hip-Hop has always been about breaking barriers. I’m honoured to bring the voice of British rap to
Howard University, an institution at the heart of Black excellence and culture.”
