Jordan McCann's life story reads like a script from a gritty British drama, but for the 31-year-old from Salford, it's a stark reality he has fought to overcome. Once a notorious figure in Greater Manchester's criminal underworld, McCann is now forging a successful career in UK rap and is set to make waves in the world of celebrity boxing.
From Prison Cells to Recording Studios
McCann's troubled path began early. Growing up in a challenging environment in Salford, he was first sent to prison at the age of just 13 for attempted robbery. This incident marked the start of a cycle that saw him in and out of jail for much of his youth. As a member of a well-known local family, he became deeply involved in serious crime, including violence and drug dealing.
His family's notoriety was cemented in 2015 when he and his mother, Catherine Jordan, were banned from parts of Salford under court orders known as 'gangbos'. These were issued following a series of 50 tit-for-tat shootings between rival gangs. The family's legal troubles continued in 2017 when his brother, Patrick, was jailed alongside five other men. They received a combined sentence of 107 years for conspiring to possess a firearm, though Patrick was reportedly released earlier this month.
Reflecting on that period in a 2023 interview, McCann told the Manchester Evening News: “I couldn’t see past that area, all I cared about was that area, ‘I need to sell the most drugs in this area, I need to be the main person in this area'".
Music as a Lifeline and Launchpad
It was during his various stints behind bars that McCann discovered a powerful outlet: music. He began writing and recording, using rap as a means to channel his energy and narrate his experiences. This creative spark led to the release of his first single, 'Lifestyle' in 2019, an introspective track about his life and community.
The song's launch became legendary in its own right. "I got everybody in the cell and we barricaded the pad and had a listening party," he recalled. "We just stayed there until they got all the extra staff to rush in... I heard the song playing on Unity Radio, and that was the most surreal moment. It gives me goosebumps."
Since that breakthrough, McCann has diligently built his music career. He has released several singles and dropped his second album, 'It's Gritty Up North' earlier this year. He has performed across the UK and collaborated with prominent artists like the Bad Boy Chiller Crew, solidifying his place in the UK rap scene.
Stepping into the Boxing Ring
Now, Jordan McCann is preparing for a new challenge in a completely different arena. The Misfits Boxing platform, famous for hosting exhibition bouts between social media stars and entertainers, has become a major UK spectacle. McCann is slated to be the ring announcer for Andrew Tate's fight against Chase DeMoor in Dubai this December.
However, the Salford native claims he will also be fighting on the same card. In an Instagram post in October, he called out social media personality Ibiza Final Boss, labelling him "a little fool" whom he promised to "blitz". Ibiza Final Boss fired back, calling McCann a "sausage" and threatening to "smash him in" in the ring. Despite this very public feud, the fight has not yet been officially confirmed by the Misfits Boxing organisation.
Jordan McCann's journey from a Salford gangster facing 'gangbo' orders to a rising rapper and prospective boxer is a testament to dramatic personal transformation. While his past remains a part of his narrative, his focus is now firmly on building a legitimate future through music and sport.
