Dorset-based rapper Isaiah Dreads has announced his first UK headline tour.

Isaiah Dreads rose to fame following an invite to perform at Glastonbury Festival back in 2013.

The 25-year-old from Dorchester is going on tour later this year at venues in cities around the UK.

The MC and rapper, who has also performed at Wireless, Bestival, Lovebox and the Isle of Wight Festival, spoke about his excitement at headlining five different locations across the UK in late November, saying: “It’s such a big goal of mine, I can’t wait. The headline tour has been in the works a little while following shows I did in London, Bristol and Bournemouth.”

Isaiah will be calling into venues at London, Bristol, Manchester, Newcastle and Glasgow on his tour between November 23 to December 3, and has invited any south-west students studying at universities in the area to “come through and support the south.”

Dorset settings have always inspired the local artist both in his music, lyrically and promotionally, as he talked through the process for the cover for his latest mixtape Zephyr that was released in March.

“For the cover of Zephyr, we got the drone out and I’m laid down in the water at Weymouth Beach,” he explained.

He added: “When I’m not working (recording in London) I would rather be back down here with family and friends. I’ve got a lot of love for Dorset.” 

Isaiah, who referenced the Dorset DT1 post code and the Thomas Hardye School in Dorchester amongst some of his lyrics, said that this is a nod to where he grew up with the MC saying that he is always looking to include local settings as a way for people in the south to relate to his music.

He said: “I love rap music, but I couldn’t relate to it, I want someone from Dorset, Devon or Cornwall to relate to that as it’s not done in rap, but so many people in the countryside have talent.”

Going into detail about what fans can expect from the performances, Isaiah said: “Bits of everything, I’ve got lots to perform. Definitely some of my self-produced mixtape Zephyr, and hopefully by then some new music too. I want to take it from upbeat to hip-hop to a more chill sound so everyone is happy.”

Isaiah then recalled his recent performance in Dorchester for Anonymous festival at Borough Gardens over the summer saying: “Anonymous was amazing, it was the busiest I have ever seen Borough."

He added: “It was big for me as the organisers were the first to give me a platform around 2011, so to be back more than 10 years later to perform in front of close family and friends was amazing.” 

Despite no supporting acts being announced yet, Isaiah teased that a local artist from each city will make an appearance, as well as artists that have done songs with the rapper throughout his career.

The local artist said he would love to do more events in the Dorset area, as and when they are announced: “We need to see more events down here, not just rap, but bands, singers and DJs should get involved too.”

Isaiah went on to offer his services to anyone putting on events locally to get in touch.

For more information and tickets visit the Isaiah Dreads website.