THE cream of Southampton's urban music scene will battle it out on Friday as the hunt to find the city's next Craig David hots up.

Heats for the Urban Flava 2003 competition took place earlier this year and were whittled down to the best.

The semi-finalists, who include singers, rappers, MCs and groups, will perform at the African Caribbean Centre in Trinity Road from 8pm.

They were given tips of the trade from local music figures during a special workshop ahead of the penultimate heat.

It has been arranged by the centre in conjunction with the BBC's Roots Project and Southampton Institute.

The winning artist or group will record a track at the institute's recording studio with the help of its First Degree Records label.

BBC South's Roots Co-ordinator Raz Hussain said: "We had a fantastic turn out for the heats and the standard of the acts was exceptionally high.

"Southampton has some brilliant emerging artists and we're hoping that the public will come along and support our city's rising stars at the semi-finals."

Tickets for Friday's event are £5.50 and available from Tripp 2 records in the Bargate Centre.

The final will take place at a suite at Southampton Football Club's St Mary's stadium on Friday, April 18.