Rappers from the UK are unquestionably leading the global hip-hop scene after Americans since they have the most excellent and established hip-hop scene. British Hip Hop Rappers gained popularity starting in the early 1980s and 1990s.
In towns like Bristol, Nottingham, Leeds, and Manchester by the late 1990s, British rappers had established their sound and aesthetic.
Rap in the UK now spans various genres, including Gangster Rap, B-Boy, Trap, and RnB Trip-Hop, and it is ever-evolving. These hip-hop musicians, ranging from the iconic rap king Skepta to the queen M.I.A., have altered the reach of British rap.
We’ve selected the 24 Best Influential British Hip Hop Rappers 2024. They have improved the field through their originality, talent, and virtuosity.
Table of Contents
Why Are Rap Songs So Popular?
Rap is the most-streamed music genre globally, surpassing even rock. Its adaptability and continuous evolution make it appealing to a broad audience. Unlike rock, which is divided into strict subgenres, rap remains diverse and unrestricted, attracting both hip-hop enthusiasts and general music lovers.
The rise of social media and streaming platforms has played a key role in rap’s dominance. Discovering new artists is easier than ever, and musicians can build a fanbase without needing a record label. Many rappers gain popularity before signing deals, giving them creative freedom and influence over the industry.
The Rise of UK Rap
UK hip-hop, also called UK rap, emerged as a cultural movement, blending graffiti, breakdancing, DJing, and rapping. Unlike the U.S., where hip-hop was more racially segregated, UK rap developed as a cross-cultural exchange due to diverse communities living together.
The first UK hip-hop record label was founded in 1986, signing Derek B, the first British rapper to achieve chart success. While major labels showed interest in the 1980s, UK rap moved underground in the 1990s, evolving into new genres like trip-hop and grime.
Grime, influenced by hip-hop, dancehall, and UK garage, became the dominant urban genre in the early 2000s. Later, Afrobeats and Afroswing introduced new sounds by blending hip-hop with Caribbean and African influences, further shaping UK rap.
Why Does Rap Sound Aggressive?
Rap often features a fast tempo, which can give it an intense or aggressive tone. The lyrical style allows artists to rap at any speed, focusing on storytelling rather than melody.
Additionally, the use of powerful, emotional lyrics engages brain regions linked to both language and emotion, making rap feel more direct and expressive.
23 Best British Hip-Hop Rappers
#1. Central Cee
“Day in the Life” and “Loading,” two of Central Cee’s most popular songs, were released in 2020 and helped launch his career as a best UK rapper and musician from Shepherd’s Bush, London. His first mixtape release, ‘Wild West’ came out in 2021 and quickly rose to the second spot on the UK album charts.
#2. Digga D
Being part of the UK drill collective “1011” in 2017, Digga D was hailed as a pioneer of the UK drill scene and garnered international prominence.
In 2024, he’ll be at the top of the rap game thanks to his five UK chart-topping songs and two mixtapes, ‘Double Tap Diaries’ and ‘Made in the Pyrex,’ which reached number 11 and 3 on the album charts, respectively.
#3. Ardee
Riley Davies, better known by his stage name ArrDee, is one of the best British rappers who hails from the city of Brighton.
Arrdee found popularity after being included in the remix of the song “Body” by Russ Millions and Tion Wayne. The song was a huge smash on TikTok and topped the charts.
#4. Ray BLK
Ray BLK is a British singer, composer, and rapper. He was born in Nigeria and spent his childhood in Catford, located in the city of London. She was the first unsigned artist to win the BBC’s Sound of 2017, and she did so by winning the competition.
#5. Dizzee Rascal
Dizzee Rascal is a musical artist, a producer of records, and a rapper who hails from England. In 2003, he released his critically praised first studio album, Boy in da Corner. Since then, it has come to be regarded as a classic of the grime genre, and it won him the Mercury Prize in 2003.
#6. Wiley
Wiley is a British MC, rapper, recording artist, and record producer who hails from Bow in the East London neighbourhood of London. Wiley is known as a pioneer in the British underground music industry due to his prodigious work rate and versatility as a musician who has had multiple crossover successes.
#7. Young T & Bugsey
Young T and Bugsey are a pair from Nottingham who have become ones to watch due to the tough and varied hip-hop they create. Their music has been supported by Stormzy, Tim Westwood, and many others.
#8. Professor Green
Professor Green is a well-known MC born and raised in Hackney, London, England. After independently releasing an EP in 2008, Green was assaulted at a bar in London, stabbed in the neck, and came dangerously close to passing away; nonetheless, this did not deter Green from continuing his career.
#9. Lethal Bizzle
The British MC Lethal Bizzle’s violent songs of violence and street stories of East London sparked reactions and controversy in the early 2000s. Still, they also garnered him enormous fame among fans of garage and grime music.
#10. D-Block Europe
Dirtbike LB and Young Adz are the two members of the rap group D-Block Europe, located in London. In 2017, they made their debut by putting out two tracks on D-Block Records titled “Love of the Money” and “Large Amounts.”
#11. SL
SL is a rap artist from the Valley Park neighbourhood of Croydon. His sonic landscapes include elements of R&B and rap from the early 2000s.
Gentleman, one of his first songs and a big smash was taken off the radio when he was 15 years old. SL is well-known for his one-of-a-kind chilled and “tropical” twist on the sound of UK Drill.
#12. Little Simz
Little Simz can seamlessly transition between hip-hop, R&B, jazz, and soul sounds while maintaining a philosophical, curious, and self-assured expression. She has previously published two albums under her name, which have won awards and received positive reviews.
#13. IAMDDB
IAMDDB is a young and promising new artist from Manchester and is recognised for a combination of trap-soul and sultry jazz-infused vocals. IAMDDB’s music has been described as having “sultry jazz-infused vocals.”
She has established herself as one of the most remarkable new musicians to emerge from the Best UK Rappers with the publication of her most recent album, GOODRICH VOL 3.
#14. Mist
Grime music from the Birmingham area saw a rebirth in the middle of the 2010s, and MC Mist became prominent then, demonstrating that one does not need to be from London to be regarded seriously in the United Kingdom.
#15. Kenny Allstar
Kenny Allstar, better known by his stage name “The Voice of the Streets,” began his career as a DJ on the renowned pirate radio station DeJaVu FM.
Since then, he has presented programmes on Reprezent and his now-famous Mad About Barz freestyle initiative.
Because of this, he now has a regular slot on BBC 1Xtra, where he can promote music from the underground scene in the UK.
#16. Skengdo
Skengdo is one-half of the pair known as Skengdo x AM, who came from the #410 gang in Brixton, United Kingdom’s rap and drill scene. They have an irrepressible flair for splicing their songs with endlessly quotable catchphrases and addicting melodies that reflect the harsh realities of the ghetto.
#17. Akala
In May 2006, Akala released his first studio album, It’s Not a Rumor. The album was successful enough for him to win the Mobo Award for Best Hip-Hop Artist in 2006 and earned him a spot as an opening act on Christina Aguilera’s tour in 2006.
#18. Poundz
Poundz is also one the best UK rappers from South London who has made his way to the top of the hip-hop and rap industry and will continue to take the masses by storm in 2024. Poundz’s music has a distinctive sound that fuses elements of grime, garage, and grime. His song “Fortnite” has been seen more than 10 million times on YouTube.
#19. A1 X J1
Phineas Waweru and Joshua Somerkun are the true identities behind the hip-hop and rap combo known as A1 X J1, from the UK. They made their debut with the track “Latest Trends,” which was published in February 2021.
The song was a major success and peaked at number 2 on the charts in the UK, which led to collaborations with other rappers, such as Aitch.
#20. Silky
Silky is the finest British rapper and musical artist who is very discreet about his personal life and prefers to keep it out of the limelight. Multiple hits are already under his belt, even though he conceals his true name, birthdate, and other personal information.
Silky’s music is lively, real, and simple to grasp – even for individuals who don’t necessarily connect to the experiences he tells via his lyrics.
#21. Cristale
Cristale, who is originally from Brixton, is more than your standard drill rapper since she has a strong Caribbean background and takes inspiration from grime, spoken word, and soul.
#22. K Koke
K Koke was allowed to perform on BBC Radio 1Xtra in 2010 when he gave a freestyle titled “Fire In The Booth” for DJ Charlie Sloth. This freestyle has since become one of the most well-known examples of his work and has over 11 million views on YouTube.
#23. Lowkey
Lowkey is quickly recognised as one of the best UK rappers and the most outspoken performers in the British hip-hop industry. Born in London, he rose to prominence after releasing the mixtape Key to the Game in 2003, participating in the rap group Poisonous Poets for a while, and performing in support roles for Canibus, Dead Prez, and Immortal Technique.
Conclusion:
Rap and hip-hop music are now among the most well-known genres in the world, because of their enormous subculture, well-known British rappers, excellent lyrical substance, and sometimes thought-provoking, upbeat, and occasionally sad tales.
Hip-hop and rap originated in the 1970s and gave rise to a wide variety of subgenres that enhanced the scene. Above we mentioned the top 24 Best Influential British Hip Hop Rappers in 2024. I hope you will like this article; if you do, please share it with other people who love hip-hop.
