The Rise of English Hip Hop

Hip hop has always been about more than just the music. It’s about the culture, the style, the attitude. And in recent years, English hip hop has been on the rise.

So what’s behind this rise? In this blog post, we take a look at the factors that have contributed to the growth of English hip hop, and how it’s become one of the most exciting genres around.

The Origins of English Hip Hop

English hip hop is a genre of popular music that originated in the United Kingdom in the 1980s. The style is characterized by rap lyrics performed over a backing track that typically contains elements of British musichip hop, and grime.

London’s South Bank and Brixton

The English hip hop scene first began to develop in London’s South Bank and Brixton in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Here, young people from working-class backgrounds mixed with members of the West Indian community to create a new musical form that blended Jamaican sound system culture with British punk and post-punk.

This new style of music quickly gained popularity, with artists like Grandmaster Flash, Afrika Bambaataa, and Melle Mel pioneering the sound. In the mid-1980s, English hip hop began to achieve mainstream success, with groups like Run-D.M.C. and Public Enemy enjoying chart success in both the UK and the US.

Today, English hip hop continues to evolve, with artists like Dizzee Rascal and Tinie Tempah leading the way. While London remains at the heart of the scene, there are now hip hop scenes all over England, from Manchester to Birmingham to Bristol.

The First Hip Hop Tracks

Most people date the start of English hip hop to 1983, when the Electro-Funk track “Planet Rock” by Afrika Bambatta and Soulsonic Force was released. Other notable early tracks include “Rockit” by Herbie Hancock (1983), “King of the Beats” by Mantronix (1985), and “Rukus” by Tackhead (1986). These tracks were not commercially successful, but they started to break down the barriers between black American music and British youth culture.

In 1988, two key events happened that would shape the future of English hip hop. First, a hip hop crew from London called Hijack released their song “The Badman is Robbin'”, which was an instant underground hit. Second, Andrew Weatherall remixes The Stone Roses’ track “Fools Gold”, which incorporates elements of hip hop and becomes an unexpected club hit. From these humble beginnings, English hip hop would go on to become one of the most popular genres in the country.

The Golden Age of English Hip Hop

The English Hip Hop scene has been on the rise in recent years, with artists like Stormzy, Skepta and J Hus leading the charge. This is often referred to as the Golden Age of English Hip Hop, which is characterized by a new wave of artists who are fusing grime, rap and R&B to create a unique sound.

The Second Wave of English Hip Hop

The Second Wave of English Hip Hop was a period in the late ’90s and early 2000s when the genre began to gain mainstream popularity in the UK. This was thanks in part to increased media coverage and the success of a few key artists, including Dizzee Rascal, So Solid Crew, and The Streets.

This new wave of English hip hop was very different from the first wave, both in terms of sound and style. Whereas the first wave had been heavily influenced by American hip hop, the second wave was more experimental and incorporated elements of grime, garage, and dubstep. This new sound found favour with a wider range of listeners, helping to propel English hip hop into the mainstream.

During this period, English hip hop also began to develop its own distinctive identity, distinct from American hip hop. This was due in part to the fact that many of the leading figures in the scene were British-born Asians or Afro-Caribbeans, giving rise to a unique blend of cultures and styles. As English hip hop continued to grow in popularity, it started to influence other genres as well, particularly grime and garage.

Gangsta Rap and Grime

In the early 2000s, a new wave of English hip hop artists emerged, led by Dizzee Rascal and Wiley. These artists blended American hip hop with elements of UK garage, grime, and jungle to create a new sound that came to be known as grime.

While American Gangsta rap focused on stories of drug dealing and street violence, grime was more reflective of the day-to-day reality of working-class life in London. Grime artists often rapped about their own experiences with poverty, crime, and racism.

Dizzee Rascal’s 2003 debut album Boy in Da Corner was a critical and commercial success, vaultsing him to international fame. His success paved the way for other grime artists like Skepta, Stormzy, and J Hus to find success both in the UK and abroad.

In the 2010s, grime experienced a resurgence in popularity, thanks in part to the rise of streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music. This newfound popularity has led to a new generation of English hip hop artists finding success on the global stage.

The New Wave of English Hip Hop

In the past few years, there has been a surge in the popularity of English hip hop. Artists like stormzy and J Hus have been leading the charge, with their unique takes on the genre. English hip hop is a fresh and exciting sound that is taking the world by storm.

UK Drill

UK drill is a subgenre of drill music that originated in the UK. The genre is characterized by its dark, gritty, and violent lyrics. UK drill is often compared to Chicago drill and trap music.

UK drill artists often rap about street life and gang culture. Many UK drill songs contain exposition and detailing of criminal acts such as stabbings and shootings. UK drill artists often use slang terms unique to the UK, such as “bare” (meaning “a lot”) and “waps” (meaning “guns”).

The first known UK drill song is “3 Wheel-ups” by rapper Giggs, released in 2007. Since then, the genre has exploded in popularity, with artists such as Headie One, Krept & Konan, Margs, J Hus, and Stormzy achieving mainstream success.

In recent years, UK drill has been criticized for its glorification of violence. In 2020, the UK government proposed a ban on Drill music, citing its role in promoting gang violence.

Trap

The new wave of English hip hop is often characterized by its use of trap beats and abandonment of the traditional sampling methods used by previous generations of English hip hop artists. This new sound has been popularized by artists such as J Hus, Dave, Skepta, Stormzy, and Little Simz. These artists often rap about their personal experiences growing up in deprived areas of London and other major UK cities. The lyrics often deal with themes such as poverty, gang violence, racism, and drug abuse.

The Future of English Hip Hop

In recent years, English hip hop has been on the rise with artists such as Stormzy and Skepta leading the charge. This new wave of English hip hop is bringing with it a fresh sound and a new attitude. With the success of these artists, it is safe to say that English hip hop is here to stay.

The Rise of Afroswing

Afroswing is a subgenre of hip hop that is gaining popularity in the UK. It combines elements of African and Caribbean music with British hip hop, creating a unique sound that is attracting both local and international audiences.

The genre was first popularized by artists such as J Hus and Yxng Bane, who incorporate elements of grime, drill, trap, and R&B into their music. The result is a fresh sound that has been described as “the missing link between Afrobeats and UK rap.”

Afroswing is quickly gaining popularity in the UK music scene, with artists like Not3s and Kojo Funds leading the charge. Thanks to streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music, the genre is also growing in popularity overseas, particularly in the US and Canada.

With its infectious beats and catchy hooks, Afroswing is poised to take over the world. So if you’re looking for something new to listen to, be sure to check out this exciting new genre.

The New Generation of Rappers

There is a new generation of rappers that are making their mark on the English hip hop scene. They are influenced by a variety of music genres and are bringing their own unique style to the table. Some of the most popular rappers in this new generation include Stormzy, J Hus, and Skepta.

Stormzy is one of the most successful rappers in the UK. He has been nominated for Grammy Awards and won several MOBO Awards. His debut album, Gang Signs & Prayer, was the first grime album to reach number one on the UK charts.

J Hus is another popular rapper in England. His debut album, Common Sense, was released in 2017 and peaked at number six on the UK charts. It was nominated for the Mercury Prize and won the BET Award for Best International Act.

Skepta is a grime rapper who rose to prominence in the early 2000s with his crew, Boy Better Know. He has been nominated for several awards, including the Mercury Prize, and won the MOBO Award for Best Grime Act in 2016.