UK Hip-Hop Music: The Top 5 Artists You Need to Know

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Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

Contents

UK hip-hop is on the rise, and there are a number of artists you need to know about. In this blog post, we’ll introduce you to the top 5 UK hip-hop artists you need to be listening to.

UK Hip-Hop Music

UK hip-hop is on the rise, and there are a number of artists that are leading the charge. If you’re looking for some new music to add to your playlist, here are the top 5 UK hip-hop artists that you need to know.

What is UK hip-hop music?

UK hip-hop is a musical genre that includes rap music originating from the United Kingdom. While the genre was initially popularized in the United States, it has since gained popularity in the UK and other parts of Europe.

UK hip-hop artists often rap about personal experiences and British culture, which sets them apart from their American counterparts. The beats used in UK hip-hop are also often influenced by garage and grime music, two other genres that originated in the UK.

If you’re interested in exploring UK hip-hop, here are five artists you should check out:

1. Stormzy
2. Skepta
3. J Hus
4. Little Simz
5. lady Leshurr

The top 5 UK hip-hop artists you need to know

1. Stormzy

If you’re not familiar with Stormzy, you will be soon. The 23-year-old MC from South London has been taking the UK hip-hop scene by storm over the past few years, and shows no signs of slowing down. His debut album, ‘Gang Signs & Prayer’, was released in early 2017 to critical acclaim, and cemented his position as one of the most exciting young talents in the country. With his unique blend of grime, hip-hop and R&B, Stormzy is an artist that is sure to appeal to a wide range of listeners.

2. J Hus

Another name that has been making waves in the UK hip-hop scene is J Hus. The 21-year-old rapper from Stratford, East London first came to prominence with his 2016 single ‘Dem Boy Paigon’, and has since gone on to release a number of successful singles and features. His debut album, ‘Common Sense’, was released in early 2017 and entered the UK Albums Chart at number 6. With his catchy hooks and infectious melodies, J Hus is an artist that is definitely worth checking out.

3. Loyle Carner

Loyle Carner is another UK hip-hop artist that has been gaining a lot of attention in recent years. The 24-year-old from South London first came to prominence with his 2015 debut album ‘Yesterday’s Gone’, which received widespread critical acclaim. His follow-up album, ‘Not Waving But Drowning’, was released in early 2019 and further cemented his reputation as one of the best young rappers in the country. With his thoughtful lyrics and jazz-influenced beats, Loyle Carner is an artist that should not be overlooked.

4. Little Simz

Little Simz is a name that you might not be familiar with yet, but she is definitely an artist that you need to keep an eye on. The 27-year-old rapper from Islington, North London first came to prominence with her 2014 EP ‘Insert Simz Here’, but it was her 2016 album ‘A Curious Tale of Trials + Persons’ that really put her on the map. With her unique style and thought-provoking lyrics, Little Simz is an artist that is sure to make a big impact in the years to come.

5. Dave

Dave is another young British rapper who has been making a big splash in recent years. The 21-year-old MC from Brixton, South London first came to prominence with his 2016 track ‘Thiago Silva’, which went viral on social media platforms such as Twitter and SoundCloud. He followed this up with the release of his critically acclaimed debut album ‘Psychodrama’ in early 2019, which entered the UK Albums Chart at number 1. With his powerful lyrics and unapologetic delivery, Dave is an artist that you need to keep an eye on

UK Hip-Hop Music History

UK hip-hop has been around for decades, with artists like Dizzee Rascal and Wiley leading the way. In recent years, the scene has exploded, with a new generation of artists making their mark. If you’re looking to get into UK hip-hop, here are five artists you need to know.

The origins of UK hip-hop music

UK hip-hop music has its origins in the early 1980s, when a number of British-based artists began experimenting with hip-hop sounds and themes. Among the earliest and most influential of these were Asher D and the Fulham Twins, who released a series of well-received singles in the mid-1980s.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, a new generation of UK rappers began to emerge, influenced by both US hip-hop and the growing dance music scene in Britain. Among the most successful of these were Goldie, whose 1995 album Timeless is widely regarded as a masterpiece of the genre, and The Prodigy, whose 1992 single “Charly” was an international hit.

Since then, UK hip-hop has continued to evolve, with new artists such as Dizzee Rascal and Wiley making their mark on the international stage. In recent years, the emergence of grime music has seen UK hip-hop once again breaking new ground, with artists such as Skepta and Stormzy leading the way.

The development of UK hip-hop music

UK hip-hop music has been on the rise in recent years, with a number of artists making a name for themselves both domestically and internationally. While the genre has been around for decades, it only began to gain mainstream popularity in the 2010s.

The early days of UK hip-hop were heavily influenced by American hip-hop and Jamaican reggae, with artists like Bugzy Malone and Ghetts cites these genres as major influences. American hip-hop continued to be a major influence on the UK scene throughout the 1990s and 2000s, with artists like Dizzee Rascal and Wiley taking elements of the genre and adding their own unique spin.

In recent years, UK hip-hop has begun to move away from its American influences and establish its own identity. Artists like Stormzy and J Hus are helping to define what UK hip-hop is all about, bringing elements of grime, afrobeats, and trap into the mix. As the genre continues to evolve, we can only imagine what exciting new sounds will emerge from the UK hip-hop scene in the years to come.

UK Hip-Hop Music Today

UK hip-hop is on the rise, and there are a number of artists who are making waves in the music industry. If you’re a fan of hip-hop, or if you’re simply curious about the genre, then you need to know about the top 5 UK hip-hop artists. In this article, we’ll introduce you to the biggest and brightest stars in UK hip-hop.

The current state of UK hip-hop music

UK hip-hop music has come a long way since the days of Leepu & Pitbull and Krishnan Guru-Murthy spitting bars on Channel 4 News. In the past few years, we’ve seen the rise of grime – a UK specific genre of hip-hop – with artists such asStormzy, Skepta and J Hus leading the charge both in terms of commercial success and critical acclaim.

However, just as grime was beginning to take off in the mainstream, a new wave of UK hip-hop artists has begun to emerge, fusing together elements of grime, trap, drill and R&B to create a sound that is uniquely their own. These are the 5 artists you need to know about UK hip-hop music today.

The future of UK hip-hop music

UK hip-hop music is on the rise, with a new generation of rappers and producers taking the genre in exciting new directions. Here are five artists you need to know about if you want to stay ahead of the curve.

1. J Hus
Hussein being one of the most popular rappers in the UK right now, having burst onto the scene in 2016 with his debut mixtape ‘The 15th Day’. His unique blend of afrobeat and hip-hop has seen him hailed as a game-changer for British rap, and he shows no signs of slowing down – his sophomore album ‘Common Sense’ went to number one in the UK charts upon its release earlier this year.

2. Stormzy
One of the most successful artists in any genre over the past few years, Stormzy’s impact on UK hip-hop cannot be overstated.He was the first ever grime artist to headline Glastonbury Festival, and his debut album ‘Gang Signs & Prayer’ was nominated for the Mercury Prize and won two Brit Awards. He is also a powerful political voice, using his platform to speak out against racism, knife crime, and inequality.

3. Skepta
Skepta is another pioneer of grime music, and has been instrumental in its international rise over the past few years. He released his critically acclaimed album ‘Konnichiwa’ in 2016, which won him the Mercury Prize – making him only the second grime artist ever to receive this honor after Dizzee Rascal. His highly anticipated follow-up album ‘ Integrity> ’ is due out later this year.

4. Little Simz
Little Simz is one of the most respected lyricists in UK hip-hop, with a string of acclaimed projects to her name including her most recent album ‘Grey Area’ – which was nominated for Best British Album at this year’s Brit Awards. She has also been praised for her DIY approach to her career, setting up her own label Age 101 Music which allows her complete creative control over her music.

5. Dave
Dave burst onto the scene last year with his stunning debut album ‘Psychodrama’, which won him both critical acclaim and commercial success – reaching number one in the UK charts and being nominated for Best Album at this year’s Brit Awards (where he also won Best Male Solo Artist). His deeply personal lyrics offer an insight into life on a council estate in south London, and he has been hailed as one of Britain’s most important young voices.

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