23 UK Rappers To Watch In 2023

For all the naysaying and doom-mongering about this and that being “watered down”, there’s a huge amount to be optimistic about when it comes to UK rap.

Right now, we’re in a position that the U.S. has enjoyed for years: that is, rather than have one dominant scene, we have several, all converging, splintering and converging again, and that kind of cross-pollination is much more valuable and more conducive to long-term cultural prosperity than any alternative.

As it stands, we’ve got: road rap, drill, alternative rap, trap, conscious rap, boom-bap and more. And we’re now seeing top-selling artists like Dave and Knucks who don’t feel beholden to any one tribe, but instead feel inspired to mix and match. Just as exciting, we’re also spoiled by a glut of new faces—like KidWild, TSkinz and AntsLive—who have been raised on new technologies, new platforms, and are harnessing them to completely shake up the industry. So while there isn’t the tidal wave of cultural upheaval we got with grime’s mid-2010s reboot, or the UK drill explosion that followed, we’ve arguably got something that is much more sustainable.

Here are 23 UK rappers to look out for in 2023.

Location: South London

Essential tracks: “Us Against The World”, “Don’t Let Them See You Cry”, “4 The Money”

2022 was a life-changing year for 21-year-old Strandz. The rapper, producer, and engineer—who was born in Germany, raised in Nigeria and now resides in South London—rocked the UK music scene with his two singles, “Don’t Let Them See You Cry” and “Us Against The World”, both of which gave nods to the past whilst remaining current and fresh (no mean feat). Having grown up on his father’s record collection, it’s not hard to see why Strandz is so enamoured with early ‘00s hip-hop—namely 50 Cent and G-Unit—and the classic soul samples that were used, influences that shine through heavily in his beat selection and the way he sits on them. Currently signed to Sony Music imprint Relentless Records, Strandz and his Fully Lidge movement are about to be everywhere this year, simultaneously giving us a taste of nostalgia and the future. South LDN, you’ve got another one! —Joseph ‘JP’ Patterson 

Location: South London

Essential tracks: “Shot Caller”, “What’s Love?”, “Uno”, “On Us”, “More In The Clip”

At just 15 years old, TS Lagga is already a problem! The teenage talent from South London deploys incendiary flows and explosive bars over often charged-up, melody-infused drill production, and the people can’t seem to get enough of it. Last year, TS Lagga had a viral hit with “What’s Love?”, demonstrating a glimpse of his potential and earning him more than 300,000 streams on Spotify. His other OJ Hodding-produced track, “Uno”, and his debut project, Lagga Szn, helped push him further into the spotlight, capitalising on the moment and cementing his place as a rising star in the rap scene. Opening 2023 with “Shot Caller”, complemented by hard-hitting visuals that draw inspiration from stars such as Pa Salieu and J Hus, TS Lagga is proving to be a breath of fresh air for fans and with many more years to chip away at his craft, there’s no limit to the type of artist he can become. —Mimi Itseli

Location: South East London

Essential tracks: “Eating”, “Hold My Hand”, “Skoowup”, “+4”, “You Know”

In this day and age, not many artists build a large part of their fanbase through IRL events and performances. But South East London’s Scuti has represented for the UK underground for some years by routinely shutting down shows, and in turn, the underground has primed her for bigger stages and higher heights. Her patented languid flow, lyrics that drip with charisma and music videos that perfectly convey the feel of her sound have landed her a Boiler Room set, impressive numbers on her visuals, and near cult-like status. Fan-adored cuts like “Skoowup” and “KitKat” and last year’s Intoxication EP have made it abundantly clear that she is one of UK’s best-kept secrets. And considering she named herself after on the biggest stars in the known universe (“UY Scuti” is at least one thousand times bigger than our sun), there should be no doubts about how far this talent will take it. —Dwayne Wilks

Location: North-West London

Essential tracks: “Tuff”, “OK Cool”, “Paid”, “Prada”, “Rain”

With the UK’s “chill-rap” sound—popularised by the likes of Knucks, Sainté and Loyle Carner—picking up more and more heat by the day, North-West London rhymer Ashbeck has been making moves in this arena for quite some time, but is now finally getting the props he deserves. Even with four projects under his belt, sold-out shows and millions of streams to his name, he’s still at the start of his journey. Released last year, Ashbeck’s 12-track project, BEEZY, gave us laid-back flows and jazzy beats in abundance, with features from fellow underground kings Rushy, 5EB and Joe James. Unlike the consistently mellow vibe of his music, Ashbeck sure knows how to bring the energy for his live shows—fans forming mosh-pits and shouting his lyrics back twice as loud is all standard practise. Expect to see the Ashbeck takeover in full force this year as the underground scene gets pushed further to the forefront. —Claudia Valentina Cagna

Location: Ealing

Essential tracks: “Ruining It”, “Lightwork Freestyle”, “Too Late”, “Took My Time”, “Yallah”

Artists often have to exercise impressive levels of patience as they wait for the world to lend them an ear. Northolt driller NitoNB had grabbed the attention of the UK drill scene back in 2017, but legal troubles meant that he had to sit on the sidelines as the sound grew into a creative and commercial force. Last year, he checked back into the game with his debut project, Fashionably Late, and reminded everyone of his credentials as one of the hardest “pure” drill artists around. Just as raw as when he entered the game but with an even sharper flow, joints like “Took My Time” turned heads, perked ears and racked up numbers. While the drill sound has shifted since the days of his first introduction, NitoNB has proven that he’s been keeping a keen eye on the movements of the scene, with the bounce of “Lean Wid It” an open invite to get sturdy! Clearly back up to match-speed and hungrier than ever before, he’s on a mission to leave a permanent mark on the industry in 2023. —Dwayne Wilks

Location: East London

Essential tracks: “Paris Freestyle”, “DND”, “Popular Loner”, “Feeling A Way”, “Overthinking”

One thing that’s setting the new gen apart from the old, and will only widen that gulf, is their ability to harness the power of TikTok and leverage it into real-world success. We’ve seen it with Dreya Mac already and KidWild is one of the artists likely to follow in her footsteps. Also to his credit is the same likability factor that made her such a runaway success, along with a similar presence and knack for performance that he continues to perfect as an actor and YouTuber. In fact, it’s not far off from the grab-your-girl cheekiness that made Aitch a mainstream fave. There are touches of drill in the beats he’s jumped on (supplied by certified hit-makers like Mancunian alchemists WhyJay & LiTek), but there’s no cruddy street talk here and both his songwriting ability and on-mic dexterity are up there with the best of them. A renaissance man for the TikTok era, KidWild is the poster kid for social media nous applied correctly. —James Keith

Location: Essex 

Essential tracks: “Pray 4”, “Mumzy”, “Mate In Five”, “Tour De Ends”, “One Two Nine”

Essex bar-slinger Joe James has been a bubbling name on UK rap’s underground for a few years now, not least for his memorable work on producer KwolleM’s 2020 project, c2c. Last year, he released four solid projects—BRUCE, Get Money, Go Missing, CRAWL and Skullduggery—which highlighted his ability to amalgamate different rap styles and provide a listening experience that sets him apart from his contemporaries. Known for his playful yet technical wordplay, skilled pen and unique production choices, James—whose grime and road rap influences shine through on every track—is a force to be reckoned with. Showing no signs of slowing down having kicked off the year with two new EPs (3 and 9), Joe James deserves all the shine that’s on its way to him. —Naz Hamdi

Location: Moston, Manchester

Essential tracks: “Next Big Thing”, “Zoning”, “Wave 21”, “Moston Vale”, “Hoods Hottest”

Hoping to make as much of an impact on the rap game as fellow Manchester natives Bugzy Malone and Meekz, 21-year-old COMFY is bringing the heat with an unmistakable up-North swagger that people can’t seem to get enough of right now. Describing his sound as “lo-fi drill”, COMFY lives up to his moniker on every track and freestyle he’s released so far, lacing the beats with ease and not holding back on the lyrical front as he spits about his lived experiences with conviction. In 2020, the rapper went on P110 for a Hoods Hottest freestyle, and the results have been astounding: with over 10 million views on YouTube and over 30 million spins on Spotify (and counting), it’s one of the rap platform’s biggest hits to date. Loosies such as “Zoning Out” and “Next Big Thing” are also worth your time. Having gone on a nationwide tour with Bugzy Malone whilst honing his craft, COMFY has done all the necessary groundwork to win. Expect a debut project from him on Relentless Records later this year. —Joseph ‘JP’ Patterson

Location: South London

Essential tracks: “Jet-Li Freestyle”, “Brand New Bih”, “Solace”, Sellindat”, “Rackistan”

Len used the whole of 2022 to become one of 2023’s hottest names. With a knack for catchy hooks, rousing ad-libs and tongue-in-cheek bars, the Stockwell spitter has proven to be a one-of-one talent, eccentric in his stylings. Tracks like “Solace” and “Rackistan” ramped things up for Len last year, generating buzz around his name online and IRL—his live shows further amplified this hype as he brought high levels of energy to every performance. Aside from his own headline shows, Len also opened up for U.S. rapper LUCKI’s sold-out show at Electric Brixton and shut it down! Having produced two solid EPs last year in DEAD END and METHMUZIK, Vol 2, Len has proved that his work-rate is unmatched and if he continues in that vein (as we predict he will), the world will be his oyster. —Ezra Olaoya

Location: East London

Essential tracks: “CEO Of The Friendship Group”, “Namaste”, “I Neva Knew Dat”

If you haven’t heard of him already, Newham riser Zino Vinci is almost certainly going to be on your radar this year. And if you have, you’ve probably been drawn in by his versatile flows from singles like “CEO Of The Friendship Group” or “Nameste”. Inspired by the ones that came before him and the ones that set the levels before them, Zino Vinci’s tendency to merge the new school with the old is further proof that he’s a child of genres like grime, UK garage, and the more recent waves in UK rap. Zino is playful in nature, but he doesn’t let that overshadow his lyrical abilities; “CEO Of The Friendship Group” takes us through his thoughts and decision-making process when encountering a romantic interest, while older releases like “Studley Road” take a traditional hip-hop route to storytelling and rhyming. Despite only giving us a small taste of his artistry so far, he’s got much more to come and is certainly a dark horse for 2023. —Claudia Valentina Cagna

Location: North London

Essential tracks: “Number One Candidate”, “Glow Up”, “Skeet”, “Don Corleone”, “Tweakin”

Timing is everything in the rap game and, sometimes, having all your targets lined up can be just as important as the execution itself. North London’s AntsLive seems to know this perfectly well. Last year, he hit his stride with a number of well-received singles (“Glow Up”, “Don Corleone”, “Skeet”), and now, as his momentum apexes, is readying his debut mixtape, Just A Matter Of Time, with the cinematic video for its latest single, “Number One Candidate”, continuing to blow up the ‘net. Comparisons have been drawn between Ants and early, pre-Auto-Tune Young Adz, and it’s easy to see why with his precise, fast-paced flow and cheeky bravado—but he’s not in anyone’s shadow. Remember that cold snap we had in December? Ants saw that, hopped in the booth, filmed a video and had it out in the world while there was still snow on the ground. With such laser-like focus, there’s no reason this rap riser can’t find stardom of his own. —James Keith

Location: South London

Essential tracks: “Pacman”, “Cramp Dat”, “Eureka”

TikTok’s most-viewed UK artist in 2022, Stepz is steadily blurring the lines between content creator and rapper. After building a global following of close to 3 million from posting relatable POV skits on TikTok and then using his platform to promote his music, the South Londoner is breaking down walls and conventionalities in the music industry, making himself hard to ignore despite the stigma of being a “TikTok rapper”. His viral single, “Cramp Dat”, a drill rendition of Soulja Boy’s 2007 hit “Crank That”, circulated around social media thanks to the multitudes of creators filming themselves getting sturdy to its catchy hook, thus translating into millions of plays on streaming platforms. His track “Pacman” with Fizzler—another fun-filled number—also went viral, loved for its grime-tinged sonics and visuals inspired by the classic arcade game. By bringing a fun, playful spirit into everything he does, Stepz is carving out a lane for himself and inspiring others along the way. —Claudia Valentina Cagna

Location: South London

Essential tracks: “Pain Interlude”, “Blasian”, “Get Lit”, “Selling Dreams”, “Tickets”

South London native TSkinz has an unwavering confidence on wax, painting vivid pictures with an undeniable LDN swagger over production that range from lo-fi and boom-bap to trap and drill. He brings a fresh energy to the UK rap scene, and his tracks—namely “Blasian”, “Selling Dreams”, and the PinkPantheress-sampling “Pain Interlude”—are becoming top draws for those cool-kids-in-the-city motives. Far from being a “TikTok rapper”, TSkinz has gained popularity on the social media site for good reason: he’s here for a good time! And, in 2023, aren’t we all? —Naz Hamdi

Location: Milton Keynes

Essential tracks: “Through The City”, , “Blocc Baby”, “Oslo”, “Barbados”, Protect Me”, “Truth Hurts”

Lil Macks—who was born in Holland and moved to Tottenham, North London, with his mother and four siblings, before settling in Milton Keynes—released his breakout track, “Protect Me”, at the top of 2021 during peak Covid pandemic. Luckily for him, it was the perfect opportunity to make his presence known in the game: the trap-wave banger caught a flame across social media and positioned him next to modern-day greats like M Huncho and Nafe Smallz. Demo versions of his follow-up singles, “Barbados” and “Oslo”, were mysteriously leaked before they saw the light of day, but this led to multiple fan pages popping up and only boosting his buzz and already cult-like following. He capitalised on the situation by flying out to both counties to shoot music videos for the final versions, and both songs are now sitting on millions of views and streams. Lil Macks has continued to churn out melodic street vignettes for his rapidly growing fanbase, and is expecting his sophomore mixtape, Leaked 2—which details the good, the bad, and the ugly in his life—to help position him as a future great, too. —Naz Hamdi

Location: Luton

Essential tracks: “Fire In The Booth Freestyle”, “ZeZe Challenge Freestyle”, “Men Are Trash Freestyle”, “Splash It”, “Fully Charged”

He’s already had a few hits—“Splash It” proved a particular fan favourite—but it’s Rakz’s freestyles that have driven his career so far, and they’re largely the reason he’s on this list in the first place. Just a couple of years ago, the Luton native was behind bars, but he used his time well, recording a couple of freestyles—“Men Are Trash” and his take on the ZeZe challenge—for Instagram and YouTube that got the streets talking. Once freed, he kept the momentum going and by late 2019, he’d already smashed his first live performance, joining Pronto on stage in front of a packed-out O2 Academy in Islington to perform side by side with him. Now, having just dropped “Fully Charged”, Rakz is exactly that. —James Keith

Location: Cardiff, Wales

Essential tracks: “Creepin”, “Wake-Up Call”, “No Speaking”, “Sundown”, “Pink Notes”

Welsh rhymer Juice Menace has been building a rep for herself in these rap streets for a few years now, but something tells us 2023 will be that year. Inspired by some of the biggest names in West Coast rap, namely YG, Mac Dre and Vince Staples, 23-year-old Juice’s sweet-sounding cadence and captivating delivery make for an intriguing listen—most notably on the songs “Creepin”, “Wake-Up Call” and “No Speaking”. Already touted to do big things by UK radio legends Tiffany Calver and DJ Semtex, this Menace on-mic is destined for greatness this year, and beyond. —Mimi Itseli

Location: East London

Essential tracks: “Check”, “25”

Born and raised in East London, newcomer MAK spits with intention and has the lyrical dexterity to run rings round his peers. Electing to spray over laid-back, effervescent production, this combo has done wonders for the rising talent, with his buzz reaching a crescendo with his sole offering of 2022 in “Check”. Receiving universal online acclaim, the track’s sincerity, fused with intricate flows, let us know that the he hasn’t come to mess around. In addition, his debut track, 2021’s “25”, carries the energy of a seasoned veteran with years in the game, rather someone on their rise. Confidence isn’t something this young man lacks, and while MAK is keeping it modest—coolly rapping on the aforementioned song, “Check”: “Yeah, I know they don’t know me yet”—we’ll be watching this space very closely in 2023. —Yemi Abiade

Location: South London

Essential Tracks: “Slow Drive”, Juggling”, “Tintin”

Hailing from Croydon, Marc Jones is sincerity personified. When he spits, he seeks balance, levelling hungry bars of self-advancement with reflection as to the personal hurdles he faces as he attempts to blow. This honesty in his lyrics—jam-packed with clever wordplay and references as far reaching as cult TV show Renford Rejects and Ex-Wigan baller Emerson Thome—makes his music incredibly relatable, even aspirational as he digests conflicting feelings of ambition and contentment that we all exhibit. Last year, Jones dropped his debut mixtape, Glass Half Empty, an 11-song offering anchored by the drill-tinged “Juggling” with Guvna B. Meanwhile, slickly-shot videos for the singles “Slow Drive” and “Heart” show he has a keen eye for visuals. The world is watching, too, with his 2021 track, “Tintin”, being featured on season three of Donald Glover’s Atlanta. Marc Jones has all the tools to make serious moves this year. —Yemi Abiade

Location: North-West London

Essential tracks: “Ion Party”, “Lawless”, “Ran Off”, “Hood Tales”, “Let Me Be”

Hitting the scene with aplomb in 2019, North-West London’s Malzo prefers the “quality of quantity” approach with his music. Sharpening his craft over time, you can hear the gradual growth in his artistry, with his engaging storytelling and hypnotic, melodic rhymes picking up heat with each release. Relaying his truths on tracks like “Ran Off” (featuring Lil Macks) and “Lawless”, Malzo—who accompanies his singles with sleek, cinematic visuals—is bringing a freshness to the trap-wave corner and UK rap scene at large. Get 2 know. —Naz Hamdi

From: South London

Essential tracks: “Shameless”, “Back2Roadz”, “Eighteen”, “1 Time”, “Gleem”

Moko made a splash (albeit lowkey) in 2020 with his debut project, Eighteen, which has racked up over six million streams on Spotify thus far. In its 12-minute run time, he laces Afroswing-tinted production with bars about instilling his drive into his son, as well as envisioning the potential tragedy that would have befallen him if he didn’t find his passion in music. After only a handful of drops, Moko fans were blessed with his return to the game late last year with the 8-track EP, 48, Pt. 1. Standout joint “Shameless” is a family affair: his father produced the spiritual cut and symbolic of his evolution as an artist. He may have done a lot of growing up in his time away from the mic, but “Back2Roadz” is a welcome reminder that Moko can bring it back to the essence as and when he pleases. Based on his current trajectory, it’s safe to say that the future is bright for Moko and we’ll be watching every step of the way. —Dwayne Wilks

Location: South London

Essential tracks: “Venting”, “Last Night In SW11”, “Door 92 Flow”, “The Tenancy”, “Conflicted”

Drawing from fatherhood, his own complicated upbringing—having lost both of his parents before adulthood—and the darkness he’s witnessed for himself out on the streets (see: the “zombies in bandos” he talks about on “Last Night In SW11”), TeeOnly’s rhymes are compelling and his stories are told from the perspective of someone who’s outgrown bravado and empty bragging rights—which is pretty refreshing. You’re unlikely to find any mosh-pit anthems among the sombre, often minimal productions and confessional rapping style, but lines like “That shit made me / Pain, it didn’t break me” will find much firmer footing in your brain. Take TeeOnly in. —James Keith

Location: South London

Essential tracks: “Real Name”, “Eyes Tired”, “Ona Glide Pt. 2”, “UAE”, 

Still early in his rap career, Twenny has earned himself a reputation for being a versatile talent with plenty to say. While some tracks, like “Real Name”, exhibit his penchant for toying with melodies, he also demonstrates a stellar ability to flow effortlessly on any type of instrumental (see: “UAE”, “Eyes Tired”). Despite the tracks being few and far between in the past year, Twenny has kept fans fed with freestyles on social media teasing plenty more bangers on the way. With many being of the opinion that previous tracks, such as “Ona Glide Pt.2”, had flown under the radar and had been overlooked, 2023 will be a great opportunity for Twenny to show fans and new listeners alike what he’s all about. Co-signed by the likes of Central Cee and M Huncho, we should all be looking forward to seeing what more this rapper has to offer as the year unfolds.

—Ezra Olaoya

Location: Essex

Essential tracks: “I Need A Girl”, “Suburban Dude”, “O.P.P.”, “Nyashonality”, Next Up?: S4-E24

Combining his unique staccato flow with cheeky lyricism and a great ear for production, Essex-residing rapper Mugzz has built up quite the following over the past twelve months. The success of his first two singles, “Suburban Dude” and “O.P.P.”—both of which dropped in 2022—is enough to indicate an imminent breakthrough for M this year. On top of this, his consistency in sharing freestyles on social media with his Muggy Monday series illustrates a consistency and work ethic that will stand the rising star in good stead going forward. His Next Up? freestyle for Mixtape Madness went down a treat with fans, and as we go into 2023, Mugzz will be looking to make more of a dent in the scene and prove that he’s here to stay. —Ezra Olaoya