2017 has been a big year for UK rap music, with many of the scene's top hitters releasing chart-bothering projects and taking them on tour. Giggs' Landlord and Nines' One Foot Out are just two albums that have elevated the culture. But then, so has Loyle Carner with Yesterday's Gone — his boom-bappy debut — and Oscar #Worldpeace with his experimental Recluse EP.
There's a wide variety of styles to choose from today, almost to the point where we don't need to look outside of our own shores for good, well-executed hip-hop.
Some British rap gods haven't missed a beat either. Take Roots Manuva — an act considered one of the godfathers of rap — who's been touring like crazy, with old and new material, and whose energy at shows could give the youngsters a run for their money. He's not called a legend for any old reason.
With all of the above set to take the stage at this year's Outlook Festival (Sept. 7 - 10), here are five of my favourite tracks of theirs that we, the fans, need to hear on full blast.