The Best British Rap Verses Of The Month

We dissect the best bars of the past four weeks.

None

Following the lead of our Complex Music fam overseas, we too will be giving props to the best rap verses of each month. From mixtape tracks and freestyles to carefully selected album sleepers, Complex UK will search far and wide to show you just how high the level of lyricism can be in the Queen's country, showcasing the versatile styles (and flows) within our forever-flourishing rap and grime scenes. This is The Best British Rap Verses Of The Month—​click through below to see our top picks from the month of January, 2015.

Words by Tobi Oke (@TefTobz)


 

5. Nego True — "Everything"

View this video on YouTube

youtube.com

Date: Jan. 6, 2015

"I got a phone call from Ash, he said he's living in hell, I told him pack up your bags and leave your friends and your scales/ See I moved Ash out the hood, he came home went to jail, so when he comes home how can I tell him I failed/ We came from the life that they rap about, we beat death, we beat courts so we ain't standing round/ Sold out my own show that's over 500 tickets, I stepped right off stage and told em, this isn't finished, I came for everything."

Venturing closer toward rap territory and away from the contemporary spoken word style he's made his name in, Nego True displays a special blend of lyricism, charisma and emotion that's made him a strong contender in the 2015 rap race. 

4. Jesse James Solomon — "Y.P.T"

Date: Jan. 4, 2015

"I've been sipping lean tryna take it slow, I've been getting high, baby take it low/ Old yatties on my line for a place to go, I only aim at goals, B, I ain't involved/ I left the past in the dark, done a couple things that you'd hate to know but would you hate me though?/ The system tried to bird man like Baby though but you make me glow, no chains involved, you brainy girl, you wavy hoe."

Following on from the impressive visual drop to "Lionel Messi", this month brings another strong turn from the newcomer who can seemingly do no wrong right now. "Y.P.T" is Jesse from SE completely in his element.

3. Maxsta — "Gaza 4"

View this video on YouTube

youtube.com

Date: Jan. 23, 2015

"I been spitting nine years, don't know you, likkle logo yout, Instagram photo yout/ I got North side sho sho youts, buss your head with some stone cold moves/ Bap bap, shots clapping at your photo shoot, I got links to the mash but I don't hold food/ You get eat in a flash like Rolo's do, how you chatting to the D's likkle po-po yout/ You don't know Brotherhood, you don't know Scru, you don't know iCon, you don't know you/ You don't know the Gaza, you think man ah soft cos I come around smiling, that's a little mask, when the suns leaves trust me I get a little dark."

Maxsta is back in a big way for 2015; absolutely tearing this grime refix of Bobby Shmurda's "Hot N****" to pieces! Be sure to check out the impressive homage-paying video, shot on location and in the style of Roll Deep's legendary "When I'm Ere".

2. Chip — "Fire in The Booth" (Part 2)

View this video on YouTube

youtube.com

Date: Jan 25, 2014

"I disappeared I ain't perfect but I'll done your dance with these verses/ I dunno what I'm doing but it's working, me, I think and see beyond the surface, I might do a song featuring myself so I can know how it feels to feel nervous/ Fam, have you got the right idea, Chipmunk' back, verbal diarrhoea, who's the MC I'm supposed to fear? Believe your own hype until I'm here/ You can't hide the truth, don't want fire boy, hide the booth, I heard Tinie's Fire In The Booth, Oi Charlie, that weren't fire in the booth!"

Chip announced his return this month, ripping up the "Ghetto Kyote" riddim on Charlie Sloth's Fire In The Booth segment with his not-so-subtle shots at Tinie Tempah. This freestyle sent waves through the scene, and we've got a feeling it'll continue to do so until Tinie claps back. 

1. K Koke — "Ain't On Nuttin" (Remix)

View this video on YouTube

youtube.com

Date: Jan. 18, 2015

"Ever since a yungen I've been gunning, playing dirty no referee/ You nerds ain't next g, it's a coke wave and you can't take turns on my jetski/ I check kings and take queens like a chess piece, my erection, is your girlfriends bestie/ She say she wanna get Messi like Chelsea, I said she's f**kin with the best they can't sell me/ Healthy, living like a free man, I beat every case and bounced back like a rebound."

Only a month in, and already, 2015 is shaping to be the year of the comeback. For a while, it looked like Krept & Konan had the best "Ain't On Nuttin" remix, but up stepped another rapper fresh out of a major label deal to triumphantly announce his long-awaited return. Back like he never left, and with an even bigger chip on his shoulder, K Koke effortlessly flamed this Yungen track; we've a feeling this is the beginning of what could be a very interesting climb back to the top for the USG frontman.

Latest in Music