Beyond its birthplace in the United States, one of the most fruitful rap scenes in the world is found in the United Kingdom. While American hip-hop made a massive cultural impact when it first hit British shores in the 1980s, the UK had already developed its own styles of MC-led music thanks to the influence of Black soundsystem culture. This story begins with the Windrush generation: the generation of Caribbean people who, encouraged by the British government, moved to the UK to work and help rebuild after World War 2.
When the Windrush arrivals settled in, music lovers brought their soundsystem culture with them: dub, rocksteady, reggae, soul and blues records were played on large, often homemade soundsystem stacks, at homes and on block parties. Inversely to hip-hop culture in the States, the MC played the records and the DJ was the host; “toasting” to the records and telling stories on the mic. From there, genres like ragga, dancehall and bashment evolved, and the UK gradually created its own flavor of rap alongside them.
In the late ‘80s, London Posse, Derek B and Cookie Crew were some of the earliest artists to rap in British accents, and by the ‘90s, rap diversified away from the American sonic template. During this era, artists began incorporating more distinctly British sounds, accents and stories; from hip-hop acts like Skinnyman, Jehst, Foreign Beggars and Roots Manuva, to trip-hop leaders Tricky and Massive Attack. Also in the ‘90s, jungle music was a major turning point, as a new generation of MCs started rhyming on breakbeats that were a blend of hip-hop and techno — and when the kids who went to those jungle raves grew up, they created grime.
Born at the turn of the millennium in East London through producers Wiley and Jammer, and genre-defining albums like Dizzee Rascal’s 2003 debut ‘Boy In Da Corner,’ grime has arguably become the UK’s own contemporary rap template. Whilst other rap acts of the time have been generationally impactful — garage MC Craig David became a pop sensation with his 2000 debut ‘Born To Do It,’ and The Streets broke new storytelling ground with 2002’s ‘A Grand Don’t Come For Free’ and 2004’s ‘Original Pirate Material’ — most of the UK rappers who have gone onto be major stars have come from grime, including Skepta, Stormzy, Little Simz, Kano, Dave, AJ Tracey and Giggs among others. In 2019, grime was given its crowning moment when Stormzy became the first UK rapper to headline Glastonbury Festival.
In 2025, this new era is more sonically diverse and exciting than ever. Grime is battling with drill for cultural dominance, as acts like Central Cee, Digga D, Headie One and Unknown T break into the mainstream. There’s also the evolving influence of UK dance genres like garage and African diasporic genres like amapiano and Afrobeats, in producer-rapper collaborations and breakthrough club hits. Dive into this collection of fresh tracks — from acts like Skepta, Little Simz, AJ Tracey, Cristale, J Hus, Unknown T, Pa Salieu and more — and discover the current sound of UK rap.
LISTEN TO THE NEW ERA UK RAP PLAYLIST ON SOUNDCLOUD
Fred again.., Skepta, PlaqueBoyMax, “Victory Lap”
This Doechii-sampling hit track from BRITs-nominated dance producer Fred again.. and grime MC Skepta featured in the latter’s last-minute Glastonbury Festival set this summer.
Kwengface, Joy Orbison, Overmono, “FREEDOM 2”
In skipping between drill and garage in this Joy Orbison and Overmono collaborative beat, rapper Kwengface flexes his skills.
AJ Tracey, “Crush” feat. Jorja Smith
West London rapper AJ Tracey evokes the 2000s UK trend of R&G — a blend of R&B and grime — on this playful track with the award-winning vocalist Jorja Smith.
Cristale, Toddla T, “Vogue”
South London’s Cristale shows off the velocity of her charisma on this 2025 track with producer Toddla T.
Jordan Adetunji, “X n The City”
Belfast-raised rap vocalist Jordan Adetunji shows his R&B chops on this 2025 track. Find out more about this SoundCloud Ascending artist here.
deed0t, “Sonny Fodera”
Manchester rapper and producer deed0t dropped this banger just in time for summer; named after the Australian house producer, the track draws from club music for its bumping rhythm.
Tion Wayne, LEOSTAYTRILL, MJ Cole, “Crazy Love”
Interpolating MJ Cole’s UK garage classic of the same name, rapper Tion Wayne delivers a smooth track for hot summer nights.
J Hus, Asake, “Gold”
Cult British rapper and Afroswing pioneer J Hus is back with this driving, atmospheric track featuring Nigerian singer and songwriter Asake.
Pa Salieu, “Soda” feat. Bryon Messia
British-Gambian rapper Pa Salieu leans into his heritage on his 2024 album, ‘Afrikan Alien,’ which this sweltering track features on.
Kojey Radical, “Rule One” feat. Bawo
Inspired by myriad music genres and hip-hop styles alike, Kojey Radical brings a soulful flavor to this 2025 track with fellow Londoner Bawo.
Lex Amor, “BEG”
Coming out of London’s progressive jazz and hip-hop scene, Lex Amor released her latest album, ‘Forward Ever,’ in 2024.
Little Simz, “Thief”
One of the UK’s most critically acclaimed contemporary rappers, Little Simz opens her 2025 album ‘Lotus’ with this powerful track about betrayal.
Pozer, “Kitchen Stove”
A recent breakthrough act from the UK rap underground, Pozer delivered this brooding street hit in 2024.
Central Cee, 21 Savage, “GBP”
Arguably the biggest UK rapper in the game right now, Central Cee dropped his debut studio album, ‘Can’t Rush Greatness,’ in January 2025. This track with 21 Savage is a standout hit from it.
Nines, “Going Crazy”
Taken from his 2024 album ‘Quit While You’re Ahead,’ this track sees the storied London rapper take it slow, with a golden age hip-hop feel to the beat.
ArrDee, “Cross The Line”
After the success of his debut 2022 mixtape ‘Pier Pressure,’ the title riffing off his famous Brighton hometown Pier, ArrDee has shown a skill for blending underground and popular rap styles.
Jaykae, “Let’s Talk” feat. JME
A rising name from Birmingham, Jaykae dropped this collaboration with Boy Better Know affiliate and grime legend JME in 2025.
Nemzzz, “ART” feat. Latto
Drill figure Nemzzz creates a Transatlantic moment on this bubbling track featuring Altanta’s Latto, who playfully riffs off UK rap slang in her lyrics.
Unknown T, “Avengers Assemble” feat. 98s
Instantly recognizable for his deep vocals, Unknown T delivers a moody drill banger with rap group 98s; their name comes from combining two zip codes, Homerton’s E9 and Hackney’s E8.
£MONZO, “Me In The Middle”
One to watch for 2025, South London’s £MONZO is quickly making a name for herself through her ability to blend rap, garage, R&B and Afrobeats.
Wretch 32, Kano, “Home Sweet Home”
Two legacy acts in UK rap, Wretch 32 and Kano, link up for this track from the former’s 2025 album, ‘HOME?’.
Bashy, Skrapz, Haile, “Blessed”
Known for his down-to-earth storytelling and role in hit UK TV drama “Top Boy,” Bashy released his latest album, ‘Being Poor Is Expensive,’ in 2024.
Knucks, K-Trap, “Cautionary Tales”
Knucks and K-Trap dropped their collaborative EP, ‘Can’t Decide 3P,’ in 2024.
CASISDEAD, “Venom”
A cult figure in UK rap — akin to MF Doom for his strong visual aesthetic, mysterious character and deep flows — CASISDEAD released this track on his 2023 album, ‘Famous Last Words.’
Jim Legxacy, “father”
Drawing on his highly creative and genre-agnostic sound palette, South London’s Jim Legxacy dropped this ode to family in 2025.
John Glacier, “Don’t Cover Me”
Blending alternative indie and pop with rap, John Glacier is a unique prospect in the UK scene. This track is from her 2025 album, ‘Like A Ribbon.’
Lancey Foux, “TEKTIME” feat. BNYX
An East London rapper and musician with a fashion-forward, rockstar vibe, Lancey Foux is a name to watch in 2025.
Digga D, “TLC”
After being prosecuted for his lyrics, drill artist Digga D dropped this reflective track: “I’m grateful, but I’m kind of tired of fame / I need some TLC, I’m drained,” he says.
KwolleM, “Grandma’s Kitchen” feat. AJ Tracey
Kwollem, a key producer for the “mellow grime” style — which samples jazz, soul and R&B — invites AJ Tracey onto this contemplative track.
Joe James, “Same Place”
Southend’s Joe James is due to drop his debut album in 2025. This track features on his 2024 mixtape ‘BEAST LIVING.’
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