45 Greatest British Rappers Of All Time (UK Rappers)

Rappers within the UK and the US share a standard style, however there are additionally variations in every nation’s musical flavors. Strongly indebted to deal with and dancehall beats, in addition to Caribbean tradition and reggae, British rap is a novel cultural drive.

Under, discover our record of the perfect UK rappers and hip hop artists based mostly on their contributions to the style and sustained reputation.

1. Plan B

Plan B attracted consideration straight away together with his debut, Who Wants Actions When You Received Phrases. His background features a not-quite-working-class, not-quite-middle-class London upbringing, a stint in a punk rock band within the 70s, and a few dabbling in R&B songwriting. The influences are evident in his work, which is harsh and haunting however nonetheless eloquent, and tackles themes starting from drug abuse, revenge, and coming-of-age.

2. Little Simz

Simbiatu Ajikawo, identified by her stage title Little Simz, is a contemporary and promising new look within the UK rap recreation. Steadily placing out materials since 2014 however solely not too long ago attracting main consideration, Little Simz has a historical past that showcases her wide selection of sampling influences, from the complete marching band intro of Introvert to the pentatonic trill weaving via 101 FM. Rapping nimbly over prime the tracks, she’s clear, sharp, and pulls no punches.

3. Dizzee Rascal

Persevering with the legacy of grime, Dizzee Rascal’s off-kilter beats and abrasive lyricism are a outstanding instance of the style whereas additionally main it in new instructions. Specifically, 2003’s Boy In Da Nook had all of the musical trappings of an amazing grime album, whereas additionally conveying Dizzee’s perspective with thought-provoking honesty. Whereas the rapper has leaned extra industrial in recent times, there’s no denying he’s nonetheless a part of grime’s spine. 

4. Massive Shaq

Biq Shaq isn’t a standard rapper, however mixes his MC-ing skills together with his comedic aspirations. He’s actually a fictional persona created by Croydon-born Michael Dapaah, created in his 2017 “mockumentary” Someplace in London. His most well-known tune, Mans Not Sizzling, options traces: “The woman advised me, ‘Take off your jacket,’ I mentioned, ‘Babes, man’s not scorching’ (By no means scorching,)” toeing the road between self-deprecation and parody.

5. Skepta

Of British and Nigerian descent, Skepta has been on the rap scene for the reason that early 2000s. Immersed in grime and sharp beats and inspired by legendary rapper Wiley to get into MC-ing, he has no scarcity of confidence, audaciously titling his first album Greatest Hits. Skepta’s youthful brother Jme has additionally made waves within the business, and is quantity 24 on our record.

6. Stevie Hyper D

An early drum and bass MC, Stevie Hyper D was born in London to folks hailing from Spain and Barbados. He’s extensively credited as being the primary to use the double-time circulate widespread in dancehall to MC-ing. Coming of age within the 80s, he was a frontrunner of the jungle style scene, and was one of many first electronica-adjacent MCs to safe a cope with a serious document label.

7. Roots Manuva

Making an affect within the mid-90s, Roots Manuva was and nonetheless is a extremely influential rapper for the UK scene. With a reggae-heavy circulate and background tracks the place steel-pan drum affect takes the type of synthed blips, he sustained British rap via the twenty first century and laid the roots for dubstep whereas he was at it.

8. AJ Tracey

AJ Tracey began placing out music within the 2010s below the title Looney, or Loonz. Coming from a musical heritage, with a former rapper for a father and a mom who used to DJ jungle tracks, his expertise for rapping comes as no shock. His newest main single, Ladbroke Grove, contains a refrain by singer Jorja Smith and a beat that’s a robust throwback to traditional storage sounds.

9. Difficult

Difficult is in one thing of a league of his personal – rapper, producer, and one of many main pioneers of the style of journey hop, which blends hip hop with parts of psychedelia. His 1995 album Maxinquaye, although it options little of his rapping skills, incorporates sounds as numerous as Bjork-style Icelandic vocals and dancehall, underpinned by downbeat tempos and a creeping sense of paranoia.

10. Ms. Dynamite

One other 2000s standout, Ms. Dynamite’s title says all of it. Mixing R&B together with her appreciable rapping skills, Ms. Dynamite was a expertise like few others on the time. Singles like It Takes Extra, a full-bodied takedown of the low expectations she sees surrounding her, have been each socially-conscious and musically addictive, whereas songs similar to Dy-Na-Mi-Tee has had clear impacts each on grime and singers of the Amy Winehouse selection.

11. slowthai

The title of slowthai’s 2019 debut, Nothing Nice About Britain, is ironic contemplating that it’s a fairly nice British album. However the Northampton-born rapper turns a significantly vital eye on his nation, whereas placing his livid wit and sonic readability on full show. Listening to the lead single, Doorman, with its 100 mile per hour beat and metal-adjacent roar, you possibly can virtually hear him seeing pink as he addresses the elitist doorman who merely refuses to let him in.

12. Stormzy

Stormzy might be one of many best-known British rappers in the present day, that includes on numerous tracks each within the UK and the States. Born in 1993, he first gained steam with the freestyle monitor Shut Up, launched on YouTube earlier than reaching spot eight on the Official UK Charts. Bursting with cocky power overtop a sparse monitor, it made Stormzy’s spot-on timing and lyrical expertise evident. Since then, he’s explored genres like RB&B whereas retaining his hard-hitting lyricism, and offered out exhibits throughout London.

13. Woman Leshurr

Woman Leshurr, born in Birmingham in 1987, is greatest identified for her 2016 breakout Queen’s Speech Ep. 4, the fourth in a collection of freestyles that present her smirking throughout London. Embracing the fashionable pattern to make use of YouTube as a solution to publish her music, she’s put out a prepare of mixtapes spanning from 2009.  

14. Rodney P (London Posse)

London Posse, consisting of members Sipho, Rodney P, Bionic, and DJ Biznizz, have been a genre-defining group created in 1986. First discovering success performing in NYC, they launched a string of singles between 1987 and 1995, now assembled on the reissued model of their album Gangster Chronicles, whose affect can hardly be overestimated. Imagine it or not, many British rappers used American accents previous to the group’s success. Whereas the document’s debt to American rap is clear, it nonetheless sounds supremely just like the UK—full of the language and power of the London streets, expertly balancing their powerful lyricism with the lighter-hearted reggae and dancehall rhythms.

15. Skinnyman

Yorkshire-born rapper Skinnyman moved to London at a younger age and obtained concerned with the rap scene within the early 2000s. Whereas frequent stints in jail stored his output comparatively low, his catalog continues to be spectacular. 2004 noticed the discharge of his main work Council Estate of Mind, a debut that speaks to his public-housing upbringing, utilizing an ingenious vary of samples alongside together with his quick and unfastened circulate.

16. LD (67)

The frontman of the Brixton Hill Crew 67, LD did a good quantity to deliver in regards to the peak of UK drill. Whereas serving to to pioneer drill’s signature traits, together with its hard-hitting beats and fast-paced, “drill-like” percussion, LD was a mysterious determine. Nearly at all times masked in public, his lyrics decide to a realism in depicting his usually harmful life on the streets.

17. J Hus

Whereas African rhythms have, after all, at all times been a serious affect on UK hip hop, J Hus is usually cited as bringing the Afrobeat sound to full fruition. The style blends entice and dirt sounds with the swinging rhythms of conventional African music, usually that includes a particular drum sample. On his 2018 tune Bouf Daddy, he will get an opportunity to brag about how far his lyrical skills have taken him.

18. Wiley

The self-declared “godfather of grime,” Wiley’s obtained his discography to again up his declare. Pioneering grime’s signature fast-paced, syncopated circulate and eskibeat manufacturing. The rapper had a fractured upbringing, bouncing round to completely different properties throughout England and dabbling in dealing medication as a teen. He felt that the off-kilter beats conveyed his emotional state, and the “dirty” sound went on to change into an indicator of the UK rap scene.

19. Common Levy

Common Levy, then again, went in a unique course, leaning into home rhythms and his Caribbean roots. The Trinidadian rapper began writing lyrics on the age of 12 and featured on producer MBeat’s monitor Unimaginable in 1994, a now-classic that dominated the UK charts and the underground scene alike. His profession misplaced steam shortly after resulting from confusion over braggadocious feedback he made in regards to the tune. Most individuals in the present day, nonetheless, have lengthy accepted his affect in cementing jungle within the UK’s music consciousness.

20. FLOHIO

FLOHIO’s been characterised as grime, however her songs are each extra poetic and extra pop-y than what’s typical for the style. Bouncy and hard-hitting, the South London-raised rapper write songs with a private contact and unique beats that channel her perspective in direction of rising up and making her mark. Her first mixtape, No Panic No Ache, debuted in 2020.

21. Giggs

The son of Caribbean mother and father, Giggs grew up in southeast London and went on to assist pioneer the style of highway rap. Venturing additional into trap-inspired beats than many British rappers, he’s well-known for his specific lyrics and take-no-hits perspective. Beginning out as a DJ taking part in dubstep and dancehall, Giggs launched his profession independently with the discharge of Talkin’ da Hardest in 2007. Since then, he’s needed to combat institution pushback because of the violent nature of his songs. Expertise shines via although, and he managed to signal a document label regardless of makes an attempt by the Metropolitan Police to discourage the deal.

22. Klashnekoff

Klashnekoff incorporates parts from each the budding early 00s grime scene and from older UK hip hop roots. His beats are decidedly low-hitting and lean right into a groove, missing the extra jagged edges of grime tracks from the identical time interval. However Klashnekoff additionally introduced the aggressive—and specific—power to his tracks that stored him on underground stations amidst a industrial scene that wasn’t prepared for his chew.

23. Riko Dan

Riko Dan first performed as a jungle MC on pirate radio stations within the mid-90s. Leaning into his patois circulate, he’s maybe greatest identified for his vocals in Ice Rink, a monitor produced by grime’s Wiley. His type fuses plenty of parts, hard-hitting whereas nonetheless being unfastened and quick in its ragga roots.

24. Jme

Jme, whose given title is Jamie Adenuga, has grown up within the rap scene alongside older brother Skepta, with whom he based the crew Boy Higher Know. Among the many best of grime, he combines a vicious circulate with idiosyncratic beats. Man Don’t Care, that includes fellow London rapper Giggs, is an ideal instance of his above-it-all perspective.

25. Mike Skinner (The Streets)

Unique Pirate Materials, the Avenue’s 2002 debut, might be one of the vital well-loved UK hip hop albums of current years. Outlined by its outstanding manufacturing (particularly contemplating that Skinner recorded most of it from his small Brixton house) and poignant originality, it expertly paints an image of youth tradition in 2000s London. Whereas paying homage each to UK storage and autobiographical albums like Nas’s Illmatic, the Streets by no means stoop to easy social commentary or bland lyricism, as they’re effectively conscious—Skinner proclaims early on “this ain’t your archetypal road sound”.

26. Lowkey

Rapper Lowkey’s independent-released 2011 album Soundtrack to the Wrestle abounds with lush instrumentals and his sincere, fluid rhymes. Dwelling on the difficulties of life, entertaining what-ifs, and asserting the ability of expression, that is Lowkey at his greatest, showcasing his lyrical skills and his viewpoint as a British-Iraqi man rising up in London.

27. Novelist 

A grime rapper and document producer, Novelist was one the the primary main rappers who was influenced by UK grime as a teen. Getting his begin, like many, on underground radio, till his 2013 single Rinse earned him a contract with the station Rinse FM. His debut album Novelist Guy was shortlisted for a Mercury Prize in 2018.

28. Unknown T

Born in London to Ugandan mother and father, Unknown T suits solidly throughout the style of drill. His current singles and two mixtapes have obtained appreciable vital consideration, with constructive suggestions from mags like Complex.

29. Smiley Tradition

With the 1984 single Police Officer, Smiley Tradition helped to bridge the hole between reggae MCs like Peter King and the fashionable UK rap scene. The only tells the story of an unfair cop pullover, however Smiley finally ends up getting off on title recognition. Although he confronted powerful subjects, Smiley (as may be assumed from his title) was optimistic at backside, and his dextrous vocals maintained the happy-go-lucky really feel of reggae dance hits.

30. Nadia Rose

Nadia Rose is a grime and hip hop artist from Croydon, making use of her expertise on tracks that really feel each vibrant and brash. In 2020, she collaborated with former Spice Ladies’ member Melanie C for the monitor Fearless—having been a longtime fan and deriving inspiration from the group, she described the collaboration as “surreal”.

31. Mist

Birmingham-born rapper Mist started experimenting with rap by creating tracks in his bed room as a teen. He cites many American rappers, from the Infamous B.I.G. to Snoop Dogg, as early influences, which he incorporates into his grime-based type. His most up-to-date EP Diamond within the Filth was launched in 2018.

32. Deadly Bizzle

London-born with roots in Ghana, Deadly Bizzle is an MC with an aggressive streak all through his work. Rising within the early 2000s, he usually combines dancehall and dirt influences, resulting in high-powered tracks that go nice on a dance ground. His attention-grabbing singles have been launched on a compilation album in 2011 titled Better of Bizzle.

33. Kano

Proper behind Wiley and Dizzee Rascal, Kano would in all probability be the subsequent contender for many influential grime musician. Gaining publicity via becoming a member of the hip hop crew N.A.S.T.Y. (Pure Creative Sounds Touching You), he rapidly went on the go away his personal mark on the style. Issues took off in 2004 with an underground hit Ps and Qs, and his most up-to-date 2016 album Made In The Manor has obtained vital acclaim.

34. Akala

Akala is a novel determine, and spreads his artistic abilities throughout poetry, appearing, journalism, and rap. The youthful brother of Ms. Dynamite, he obtained concerned in music early and launched a mixtape, from his personal label in 2004. Since then he’s gone on to tour with Nas, publish writing on social criticism, and begin an organization merging hip hop with Shakespeare.

35. Lisa Mercedez

Lisa Mercedez is certainly dancehall, however her flows are not any much less fierce for that. Born in Jamaica, the rapper’s versatility and distinctive sound have earned her collaborations with voices like Plan B and Stefflon Don. 

36. MoStack

MoStack makes easy and Afro-inspired songs like the one Journey, which mixes clicky beats and synthed vocals into an atmospheric monitor. Hailing from Hornsey, North London, the rapper has a formidable discography, and his debut 2017 mixtape peaked on Official UK Charts.

37. Jay1

A Congolese rapper born and raised in Coventry, Jay1 has devoted himself significantly to music since 2016. With versatility each in his beats and his flows, he’s had two top 20 singles since then, each debuted in 2019, entitled Your Mrs and Mocking It.

38. Dave

South London rapper and musician Dave has proved himself glorious at placing out songs with a laid-back tone and easy wordplay. He’s obtained no scarcity of acclaim, both, together with his debut album Psychodrama profitable each Album of the Yr at 2020 Brit Awards and a Mercury Prize. Starlight, his newest single, has by now spent an excellent stretch of time within the prime spot of the UK charts.

39. Aitch

Manchester-raised rapper Aitch first garnered consideration together with his single Straight Rhymez, which he launched on YouTube in 2019. The only even caught the eye of business large Stormzy, and Aitch’s following output has been no much less promising. The distinctive type of this younger expertise – he was born in ‘99 – factors to fascinating new instructions for the present rap scene.

40. Stefflon Don

Stefflon Don has a various background – born in England to Jamaican mother and father, she moved to the Netherlands at a younger age earlier than returning to the UK at 14. She collaborated with French Montana for her single Hurtin’ Me in 2017, and gained a MOBO award later that yr. She’s now labored with among the greatest names within the business, spanning each British and American pop and rap.

41. M24

M24 launched his debut mixtape Dip N Drill in 2020, and has executed numbers on UK charts since. The only Unique options his spitfire vocals overtop a haunting ambient monitor, and has undoubtedly made a mark on the modern British hip hop panorama.

42. Loski

Loski hails from Kennington and is a part of the modern drill scene. The son of Ty Nizzy, a rapper himself and one of many “originators of road rap,” as written within the Guardian, he was virtually born within the function. A part of the rap group New Spartans, Loski’s songs mix throwback parts of drill with rising entice sounds.

43. Ms. Banks 

Rapper and singer Ms. Banks has launched three mixtapes as of 2022, all overflowing together with her signature patois vocals and upbeat power. Born and raised in Southeast London, Ms. Banks has loads of persona, as showcased in each her music and a current interview with i-D journal.

44. MF Doom

Whereas MF Doom was raised in New York Metropolis and spent his most musically productive years within the States, he was born in London in 1971, so we’re going to incorporate him on our record on a technicality. It’s doable that this cut up between international locations contributed to his idiosyncratic type, marked by his creation of distinctive sonic moods and vocals that always slip right into a deliberate monotone. Regardless of having change into a rapper of worldwide renown and being married with three kids, he was denied re-entry to the US in 2010 and resettled in London.

45. Peter King

Peter King, whereas not thought-about a real rapper, nonetheless contributed enormously to the roots of UK rap and hip hop. A part of the reggae crew Saxon Sound in the course of the 80s, King was one of many first to incorporate rapid-fire, rhythmic vocals in his work, laying the muse for all of the British-language flows of the longer term.