The Manchester mural of the iconic Joy Division singer Ian Curtis was painted over to make way for an Aitch album ad, a replacement which the Manc rapper insists he was unaware of.
To the shock of many, Manchester’s Northern Quarter saw its striking Ian Curtis mural painted over in a promotional push for Aitch’s debut album.
Way back in August 2022, the streets of Manchester suddenly felt a little emptier. A cherished landmark dedicated to one of the city’s many musical heroes, proudly standing since October 2020 on Port Street, was overlaid with art for Aitch’s Close To Home album advert.
Aitch, Manchester’s rap sensation, was swift to react, ensuring his fans and the city he loves that amends would be made. The rapper tweeted, “It’s come to light that the iconic Ian Curtis mural on Port Street has been painted over with my album artwork. This is the first time I’ve heard of this, me and my team are getting this fixed pronto. No way on earth would I want to disrespect a local hero like Ian.”
It’s come to light that the iconic Ian Curtis mural on Port Street has been painted over with my album artwork. This is the first time I’ve heard of this, me and my team are getting this fixed pronto. No way on earth would I want to disrespect a local hero like Ian.
MCR ❤️🐝
— Aitch (@OfficialAitch) August 16, 2022
When asked a while later about the fiasco, Aitch claimed that he was ‘fuming’ over the cover-up.
READ MORE: ★★★☆☆ Close to Home review | Aitch’s decent debut doesn’t do much new
Rock legend and Joy Division bassist Peter Hook quickly showed some love to Aitch’s heartfelt response last year, saying: “Thank you [Aitch] great gesture.” Bernard Sumner, the voice behind both Joy Division and New Order, joined in, saying, “Seems as if someone’s misjudged this and it shouldn’t have happened but Aitch has said he’s going to put it right so it will get fixed, no harm done.”
The repaint will be undertaken on a new wall by the original artist Akse, who you can imagine was not happy either by the first mural being painted over.
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For those who’ve been living under a rock, Aitch’s Close To Home was a disappointment, with whynow awarding it three stars, highlighting the “many moments where the lyricism lacks a certain depth or wisdom that often comes with maturity”.
