Rap and grime stars to join symphony orchestra

Lady Leshurr grew up in the Kingshurst area of Birmingham

Rap and grime stars such as Lady Leshurr will join the City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in April, in a bid to show that "symphonic music is for everyone".

The orchestra's chief executive, Emma Stenning, said grime was one of the "defining musical languages of Birmingham" and hoped the collaboration would bring "new perspectives".

She said the invited guest-musicians are "15 of Birmingham's leading music icons."

The Legacy gig will take place on 12 April at Birmingham Symphony Hall.

The 14 other Birmingham-based artists joining Lady Leshurr will be Big Dog Yogo, Brixx, C4, Creezon, Jaykae, Mayhem, Nodb, Pressure0121, Roxxxan, Saf One, Sox, T Roadz, Trappy and Trilla.

The orchestra will be led by multi-award winning conductor Phil Meadows.

Emma Stenning said grime was a "defining musical language" in the city

Ms Stenning said she wanted to show the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra "truly is Birmingham's orchestra".

The concert will coincide with a campaign giving people living in the city a chance to talk about the importance of live music in their lives.