If you think Airdrie could never play host to it's own rap performance, you're mistaken.

Dozens of Airdrie youth have recently converged at the Street Art Gallery near Nose Creek Park for Airdrie Rap Battles.

Although the battles are still in their infancy, the number of local rappers interested has skyrocketed.

"We started Airdrie Rap Battles a while ago and it's taken off, we have currently 188 members."

Local rapper Kieran Clarke who goes by the stage name "Shadow In The Dark", says the response has been overwhelming, and is glad there's a space for other artists to express themselves.

"There's a lot of people that do it but no one comes out of their shell and says like, 'hey look at this, i do this'...we tried to kind of give Airdrie at least, the community there a place to go and come together and kinda grow."

Clarke has been a rapper for the past few years and drew inspiration from other artists including Eminem and Machine Gun Kelly because of their ability to tell stories in their songs.

What started as a hobby has now grown to a part time career with Clarke who is soon to release his own album on top of working with other artists including local rapper Delion.

The Rap Battles are just another way for Clarke and other music enthusiasts to share their positive stories.

"All the pressure that goes along with just being a kid these days is a lot. A lot of kids express themselves with the music that they listen to so that's exactly why I try to connect there.  "

You can find more on Shadow in the Dark on his official page as well as the link for Airdrie Rap Battles