Manchester rapper Aitch shut down Deansgate on Monday afternoon (June 22) as hundreds of fans joined him to film scenes for his latest music video. The Moston performer, who first gained fame through YouTube freestyles, invited fans via social media to take part in the shoot outside the Egg & Co store, a popular spot he frequents.
Surprise Parklife Appearance
Just two days earlier, Aitch made an unscheduled appearance at Parklife festival in Heaton Park, joining fellow Manchester act BOU on stage to perform their hit "Raving In The Studio" and his latest solo single "Ring My Bell." The impromptu set thrilled festival-goers.
Last-Minute Arrangements
Owner Umer Khalid, who is friends with Aitch, said the rapper's team contacted him just minutes before the shoot, jokingly asking to borrow a plug for their equipment. Aitch then arrived with his team ready to film. Khalid told the Manchester Evening News: "He put a message out on Instagram saying he would be filming in Deansgate at 4pm and told everyone to bring their dad, their mum and their grandma and to put on their dancing shoes. He had to arrange it all at the very last minute otherwise it would have turned into something crazy but there were still hundreds of people who turned up - it was madness."
Support for Local Business
Khalid praised Aitch for remaining grounded despite his success, which includes appearing on I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here last year and releasing his second album "Four," which reached the top ten. "He's been a pillar of support for me personally," Khalid explained. "I've been going through quite a bit in the last few weeks and he's been keeping in touch and it's really meant so much. He's such a great guy - him and his crazies - and he's always out there looking after his friends and supporting people."
Khalid added: "And he is always so big on local businesses - he's local so he always supports local when he can. It's a massive deal for us - it helps get our name out there, especially at a time when it can be quite difficult to spread the word. He told me that we've shown him love, so he wanted to show it back. That's just the way he is."
Treasure Hunt and Future Plans
Just weeks earlier, Aitch hosted a treasure hunt around Manchester for fans to find a bell and win cash. The bell was ultimately hidden at Egg & Co. Khalid said they plan to display the bell in store and are working on partnerships with local charities to continue supporting the community.
