'I see music as a therapy, my form of release'

"I had to compose myself in front of [the mentors], it's definitely surreal," says Only Zizou

A rapper said taking part in a competition that gave him more than a month to solely focus on music has been an "opportunity not afforded to many".

Only Zizou has been a contestant on the BBC show The Rap Game UK, which sees artists take part in a series of challenges to test their musical skills.

The contest, which is led by artists Krept, Konan and DJ Target, aimed to find the UK’s best unsigned rapper, with the winner being awarded £20,000 and a mentorship scheme.

Only Zizou, from Essex, who started making music after his chemical engineering degree, said: "I see music as a therapy, my form of release."

Only Zizou said despite only starting his musical career in 2022, his trajectory was going "up and up"

"In my house everyone has to go university," Only Zizou told BBC Radio Essex.

"As soon as I left college, I knew I had to go into further education... after that it was about doing what I felt comfortable with for the rest if my life.

"I get giddy if I can say a double entendre, something witty and sharp that hits the ears right - I get that sense of validation."

'Lesson not a loss'

When speaking about taking part in the BBC show, Only Zizou said it was "gruelling" at times but also a "blessing" for his career as an up-and-coming artist.

"I got off to a slow start in terms of winning the country over, but I think the music will do more of the talking," he said.

"[The response] was hit and miss. The hit was - it is still viewers and new people knowing me.

"The miss was - I didn't put my best foot forward... I didn't really get my bars out, but it is a lesson, not a loss."

He encouraged people to watch the show even if you were not "a fan of rap" but "for being a fan of the journey".

"We are all up-and-coming artists trying to put ourselves in better situation so if not for the music, then fall in love with the storyline."

The next episode of Rap Game UK will be shown on Tuesday 19 November at 21:00 GMT