Get ready for this Rude Boy

Luton’s UK Centre for Carnival Arts will be rocking and rapping on Saturday (February 2) to the sound of the original Rude Boy – Jamaican-born Neville Staple.

The former Specials and Fun Boy Three singer is credited with being the forerunner of rap in this country with his ‘toasting’ and chanting style.

A regular fixture at Coventry’s Locarno ballroom, he was buddies with resident DJ Pete Waterman, who became a major pop producer.

Pete subsequently wrote the foreword to Neville’s biography, Original Rude Boy, published in 2009.

Tickets for the one-off event are £14.50 in advance from the booking office on 01582 437111 or £16 on the night. Doors open at 7pm and the show starts at 8pm.

The UKCCA is gearing up for an all-star start to this year’s carnival, set to take place on Sunday, May 26.

It kicks off on Tuesday February 12 with an unforgettable Caribbean experience – the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival beamed live to our very own purpose-built carnival arts centre. The audience will enjoy the steel pan sound of the Revellers and Tassa drumming while trying legendary rum punch from the sunshine islands.

This year’s Rio carnival will be featured on Wednesday, February 20. Britain’s premiere samba band, Rhythms of the City, will be appearing together with award-winning costumes from the Notting Hill Carnival. Caipirinha cocktails will ensure the evening goes with a swing.

Creative director Pax Nindi said: “Our Global Carnival Showcase is a unique opportunity to experience the world’s best without actually leaving the local area.”