The UK rappers have been enriching the hip-hop industry with their lush contributions and there is no doubt that it is one of the most iconic parts of the history of hip-hop music. Starting back from the 1980s the UK rappers have been growing significantly and so have the contemporary styles and the essence of retro hip hop music. With each passing decade, UK has successfully grown its hip-hop scene out of the USA and garnered much attention from listeners around the world.
With a long-standing relationship with the USA, the rappers have developed the world’s most respected hip-hop market not only in the UK and various parts of Europe but also in the world. However, considering the whole country, the hip-hop hotspot in London. With 80% of the total population living in the metropolitan area of London, potential hip-hop artists and even the listeners belong to London only. It is where the most urban population, youth, and the pioneers of rap, Black people live.
The UK rap scene started back in the 1980s and within a decade it provided some of the best hip-hop artists, rappers, and groups like Silver Bullet. Cookie Crew, Demon Boyz, Hijack, London Posse, DJ Froggy, Simon Harris, etc many others who have enhanced it even more. While the American hip-hop industry was growing rapidly while introducing different styles of hip hop. The UK has also followed went through different genres or eras like B-Boy. Gangster Rap, Trap, RnB Trip-hop, and the list keeps going. As a result, the rappers have created a massive hip-hop revolution in major parts of the UK. Here are the top 10 UK rappers who have enriched the industry with their talent, skill, and individuality.
Stormzy
Michael Ebenezer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr. (born 25 July 1993),
Better known with the professional name Stormzy, this British rapper has been pioneering the local hip-hop scene with talent, skill, and creativity. He is praised for his unwavering freestyle skills along with powerful grime beats. In 2014, he created a huge buzz with his ‘Wicked Skengman’ series of freestyles. After gaining attention with the freestyles, he released his debut EP ‘Dreamers Disease’ and won the won Best Grime Act at the MOBO Awards. After that, he has released numerous singles, albums, and collaborative projects. In 2015 he became the number 3 in the ‘BBC Introducing top 5‘ on Radio 1. His two highly anticipated studio albums ‘Gang Signs & Prayer’ and ‘Heavy Is the Head’ released in 2017 and 2018 respectively. Not only music but has also worked for racial inequality and black empowerment in the UK.
Dave
David Orobosa “Dave” Omoregie (born 5 June 1998)
Dave or also known as Santan Dave is a talented rapper, singer, and songwriter from the UK. He is versatile with his craft and also produces records and does a bit of acting too. Starting with the freestyle sessions, he gathered much attention with his debut EP ‘Six Paths’ in 2016. Following his collaboration with AJ Tracey, ‘Thiago Silva’ has proved its worth to the listeners. His second EP ‘Game Over’ in 2017 was one of the most intriguing projects and he won Ivor Novello Award for Best Contemporary Song. His debut studio album ‘Psychodrama’ broke all the records by selling 26,390 copies in its first week along with 26.3 million streams. The second studio album ‘We’re All Alone in This Together’ released on 23rd July of this year and still revolving the epitome.
Bugzy Malone
Aaron Davis (born 20 December 1990)
Bugzy is one of the most well-seasoned rappers and actors in the British music industry. Hailing from Manchester, this artist has released his debut mixtape named ‘SwaggaMan’, in 2010. It was his first breakthrough in the industry and since then he has been only proceeding to success. His creative skills and knack for acting let him make cinematic experiments with his flow and style. He has released two albums namely, ‘B. Inspired’ and ‘The Resurrection’; both of them are masterpieces. He has also released three EPs namely, ‘Walk with Me’, ‘Facing Time’, and ‘King of the North; one of the best projects of his prolific career.
AJ Tracey
Ché Wolton Grant (born 4 March 1994)
Hailing from Ladbroke Grove of West London, this rapper likes to dabble between new-age hip-hop, UK drill, trap, grime, a bit of dancehall, and garage. The rapper developed his love for hip-hop at the age of 6 years only and gradually nurtured his skills as he grew up. Throughout his musical career, the rapper has released a total of two studio albums, two mixtapes, one compilation album and six EPs, and an array of twenty-four amazing bangers. The first studio album, ‘AJ Tracey’ is the namesake album that was released in 2019 which is quickly followed by this year’s representation ‘Flu Game’ released in April.
Aitch
Harrison Armstrong (born 9 December 1999)
This young British rapper has set the bar high with his amazing wordplay and a catchy deliverance that can captivate the listeners. His breakthrough single, titled ‘Straight Rhymez’ has generated over 24 million views and garnered much recognition from fellow rappers. ‘Rain’ is one of the best bangers of his career that gathered more than 120 million streams on Spotify and 47 million views on YouTube. Each of his musical hits made its spot in the UK Top Singles chart. He has released three EPs namely, ‘On Your Marks’, ‘AitcH2O’, and ‘Polaris’. Other than that he has released numerous singles like, ‘Blitzed’, ‘Trust Me’, ‘Vibsing’, ‘Raw’, ‘Wait’, etc to many others which prove his consistency and dedication.
Headie One
Irving Ampofo Adjei (born 6 October 1994)
Headie is one of the most talented underground hip-hop artists who reached the peak of success with nothing but sheer dedication and hard work. The artist’s first mixtape ‘The One’ created a huge buzz with the tracks being featured in the UK Singles Chart. He is a member of the UK’s famous drill group, named OFB. The artist is also known for amazing collaboration projects with RV, DAVE, etc many other fellow rappers. RV is a fellow rapper from OFB which whom he released a total of three mixtapes. His four solo mixtapes make it a total of seven mixtapes. His studio album ‘Edna’ is a silver category album.
Skepta
Joseph Junior Adenuga (born 19 September 1982)
He is one of the pioneers of the British hip-hop scene who not broadened the hip-hop culture but also inspired emerging rappers to make more music. This talented rapper, grime MC and songwriter, started his career as DJ and later move to rap and producing with other crew members. He is one of the founding members of Boy Better Know established in 2005. Throughout his musical career, the artist released five amazing studio albums namely, ‘Greatest Hits (2007)’, ‘Microphone Champion (2009)’, ‘Doin’ It Again (2011)’, ‘Konnichiwa (2016)’, and ‘Ignorance Is Bliss (2019). He has also released many mixtapes namely, ‘Joseph Junior Adenuga (2006)’, ‘Been There Done That (2010)’, ‘Community Payback (2011)’, etc many others. On his prolific musical journey the artist has won MOBO Awards twice, NME Awards once, and Mercury Prize once for his precious contributions.
Giggs
Nathaniel Thompson (born 11 May 1983)
Dwelling from Peckham, this rapper enriched the British hip-hop industry in the early phase and continuing to the modern days as well. His debut studio album ‘Walk in da Park’ was released in 2008 and impressed listeners by building a bridge between the modern and the past. The next album ‘Let Em Ave It’ came followed in 2010. He also released three more studio albums namely, ‘When Will It Stop’, ‘Landlord’, and ‘Big Bad…’, released in 2013, 2016, and 2019 respectively. He also won the BET Awards in 2008 for Best Hip Hop Act: UK.
Slowthai
Tyron Kaymone Frampton (born 18 December 1994)
One of the most popular British rappers in world music who kept his name out there with gritty, intensity, and rough yet invigorating essence of politically charged hip-hop music. His debut studio album brought a nomination for the Mercury Prize, named ‘Nothing Great About Britain.’ His second studio album ‘Tyron’ has been released in February of this year and made a huge buzz among the hip hop enthusiast. The EPs by this artist show a more creative side of his lyrical flow like, ‘slowitdownn’, ‘I Wish I Knew’, ‘Runt’, etc. In 2020, he won the NME Awards for the track ‘Himself’ featuring Mura Masa, in the Best Collaboration category.
Mist
Rhys Thomas Sylvester (born 2 March 1992)
He is one of the emerging artists from Birmingham who has carried forward the legacy of the earlier British rappers and MCs. He is unique vocal clarity and an eclectic rapping style which makes his tracks sound more dynamic. He is greatly inspired by Snoop Dogg, Busta Rhymes, The Notorious B.I.G., and the reminiscence can be felt. Both of his extended plays namely ‘M I S to the T’ (2016) and ‘Diamond in the Dirt (2018)’ have set an example in the hip-hop industry.
Honorable mentions
If it was not about the Top 10 rappers only, the list could have extended with Fredo, Chip, Kano, Stefflon Don, Jme, KSI, Enny, and many others who is progressing the modern hip-hop cultures in the UK.