If you’re not fortunate enough to be at a ground to catch some Emirates FA Cup action this weekend, where will you be tuning in to bask in the world’s original cup competition?
In the comfort of your own home? At the pub? How about in the recording studio?
That’s the plan of rising rapper Avelino, who will be breaking off from working on the follow-up material to his acclaimed project ‘No Bull****’, which earned him the best mixtape gong at this week’s NME Awards, to watch his beloved Manchester United go to Huddersfield Town in the fifth round this Saturday.
There’s an undeniable link between football and UK rap – just take a look at Nike’s new ‘Nothing Beats a Londoner’ advert, which features heavyweights Skepta and Giggs acting alongside Harry Kane and England manager Gareth Southgate.
Avelino’s breakthrough track ‘Energy’ also features on the soundtrack for FIFA 18 and, just like his on-pitch heroes, the 24-year-old is out to prove he’s the man for all seasons.
“I think it can be broken down to the simple fact that both things fall into the category of British culture. With that, it becomes easy for football and grime music and UK rap to become interlinked,” he said.
“A lot of us artists are football fans as well and we’re not afraid to make that known publicly. We might be tweeting about a game or something.
“A lot of us have worked with football too, like Skepta in the Nike advert.
“I had my tune on FIFA 18. That was a beautiful moment. I’d grown up playing FIFA, so to have a song on the game and on the trailer with Cristiano Ronaldo – my favourite player – was sick.
“These are things that you tick off the bucket list that you never even knew you had on the bucket list.”
Avelino’s latest single ‘U Can Stand Up’, featuring fellow lyricist Dave, is part of the official Emirates FA Cup playlist.
Hailing from Tottenham, as a youngster, he couldn’t help but be bewitched by United, 12-time winners of the world’s original cup competition, with the Cup providing some of his fondest memories as fan.
“Supporting United came down to the old thing that you can’t choose who you fall in love with,” said Avelino.
“That’s what it is. I switched on my TV one day and Eric Cantona had his collar up. There was Becks (David Beckham), (Paul) Scholes, (Ryan) Giggs, too.
“I got introduced to all these guys and United’s been my team ever since. It’s like an extended family.
“I was speaking with my friend the other day and I was saying that the FA Cup is always going to be important. It’s a special trophy.
“In terms of my favourite memories, we’re probably talking about (Jesse) Lingard a few years ago (United’s 2-1 victory in the 2016 final) or the main one for me personally is Ronaldo against Millwall when we won 3-0 (in the 2004 final).
“I was young and Ronaldo was my favourite player – it was before he was the best player in the world and it was his game, you know?
“I don’t know if the kids of today understand the magic of the FA Cup but that’s something that I’ll never overlook.”
Check out the official Emirates FA Cup playlist, featuring Avelino, below:
