BackTracked are a Berlin-based jazz collective that play live compositions inspired by famous hip-hop artists.

After a series of sell-out shows across Berlin, Manchester and Liverpool, the band are performing their first mini tour across the UK and Europe paying homage to one of hip hop’s most acclaimed artists - Missy Elliott.

Having studied at the Jazz Institute Berlin; Matt Shapiro (keys), Hiromu Seifert (drums) and Paul Breiting (bass) have worked tirelessly writing, arranging and refining this set, creating a rich and nostalgic sound.

Meanwhile NTS Radio host and DJ Sameed will play the finest cuts of jazz, soul, funk and disco from his catalogue of records before and in between sets.

Band bio:

The band is a continuation of Sameed’s NTS Radio show, where he takes pioneering hip hop artists and presents their samples in a rich tapestry – imagine the records Dr. Dre was listening to before he sat down to produce. The band have now taken this concept to the next level, rearranging pioneering hip hop artists such as Missy Elliott, Erykah Badu, J Dilla and Outkast.

Matt Shapiro was born in Manchester, lived in Leeds, and has been residing in Berlin since 2015, where he has become obsessed with playing hip hop and jazz. Whilst still exploring this music, he has returned to the music of his teens, using the tools he’s acquired to pay tribute to the music that inspired him to become a musician in the first place.

Hiromu Seifert is a Japanese-German drummer, producer and composer. A serious drummer since childhood, he has had training in both African drumming as well as classical percussion training. Hiromu is a graduate of the Jazz-Institute Berlin.

Paul Breiting, Berlin born and raised, has been consuming music since childhood. He dived into Jazz and began his studies at the Jazz-Institute Berlin and has since played live and recorded on a variety of projects.