UK Rappers To Watch In 2024

This time last year, we boasted about how healthy the UK rap scene was as we set pace for the rest of the world, defining music, fashion, and slang.

But things have somehow gotten even better. Music, fashion and pop culture have splintered so much that there’s no real dominant subculture anymore and that’s especially true with rap. Wave, trap, drill, grime, alt-rap and multiple hybrid combinations are now all bubbling up and blending with each other. 

These overlapping sounds and movements are being pushed forward by a generation brought up on older siblings’ tales of grime and British rap’s glory years, internet deep dives into subcultures of years gone by, and their own twists on Y2K style. So while we’re unlikely (never say never, though) to see anything like the grime or drill explosions, things are more exciting than ever—especially underground—with wave artists jumping on drill, and vice versa, plus a spread of loose collectives and grassroots platforms such as the Victory Lap show on Balamii and the Pound & Yam streams.

With all that being said, here are 24 rappers you should know about this year and beyond.

Chy Cartier

For fans of: MizOrMac, DoRoad, DeeDee 
Essential tracks: “Bossed Up”, “Hella Rare”

As 2023 drew to a close, Chy Cartier decided she’d break rap-internet with her third track of the year in “Bossed Up”. Previously masked up in her videos for “Suit That”, “Hella Rare” and “Show Me”, the North London native stepped out in some vintage Prada, Kickers and Stone Island—hood princess stylee—and gave us throwback LDN in a visual masterpiece (artfully directed by Florian Joahn) that could inspire the illest of architects. Before the video dropped, however, a snippet of the piano-led track had been circulating online, with many—including Wretch 32, Ghetts and Central Cee—bemused by her unorthodox rhyme schemes and innocent-sounding tone. It’s rare the scene collectively gets excited about a new act like it did here with Miss Cartier; the pressure is indeed on, but she has what it takes to be a boss. Watch her go. —Joseph ‘JP’ Patterson

Marnz Malone

For fans of: Meekz, Clavish, Dave
Essential tracks: “Cold Hearted World”, “Ball 4 U”, “Tina’s Son”

The rise of Marnz Malone has been an interesting one to see play out. Formerly known as Double M, the Birmingham rapper catapulted to fame with his impressive jail freestyles, and seamlessly transforming them into songs that resonate with those who have walked a similar path. His 2023-released project, Maktub—which means “it was written” in Arabic—had industry heads in awe due to his narrative prowess. Widely acclaimed, it has since placed him in conversations next to other dexterous storytellers such as Dave and Clavish. Already this year, he’s dropped a new mixtape in Tina’s Boy and signed a six-figure deal with EGA, joining the home base for rap luminaries such as DBE, K-Trap, Skrapz and Potter Payper. Even from behind prison walls, Marnz Malone’s trajectory is on an unstoppable ascent, making him a compelling act to watch. —Mimi

Fimiguerrero

For fans of: Len, Lancey Foux, Oscar #Worldpeace
Essential tracks: “KILLUMINATI”, “Doppelgänger”, “Dark Knight”

Lyrically adept with a melodic disposition, South East London’s Fimiguerrero leans on increasingly experimental production to open up his world of excess and crud. To call Fimi a rockstar wouldn’t be a stretch, because if you watch his music videos, he conveys attitude and lots of it—standing on business, as is the current parlance. Fimi was considerably active in 2023 too, releasing two projects in BLACK and IMMIGRANT—collaborating with the likes of Lancey Foux, Odunsi (The Engine), and Sainté—as well as the absorbing end-of-year cut “KILLUMINATI”. Elsewhere, tracks like “Doppelgänger”, “Dark Knight” and “Psuedo” have shown that Fimiguerrero’s fearless approach to music—namely, going as leftfield as possible—is what will take him far. He’s already garnered a loyal fanbase wowed by his every release, laying down a foundation for him to build upon; a true talent, he has all the tools to put the UK scene on notice this year. —Yemi Abiade

Ceechynaa

For fans of: Ivorian Doll, Sexyy Red, Ms Banks
Essential tracks: “Legal Baby”, “Last Laugh”

Ceechynaa is making seismic waves in the worlds of UK rap and high fashion, and her journey’s only just begun. British Vogue heralded her as “the UK’s most exciting female rapper”, and Dazed made her a cover star—both milestones a testament to her undeniable talent and rising influence. The Hertfordshire native’s debut single, 2022’s “Legal Baby”, set the stage for her rapid rise but it was last year’s “Last Laugh” that truly had the industry standing to attention. In an empowering stance against critics, utilising her bold and brash mockney flow, Ceechynaa champions female empowerment, focusing her lyrics on themes of reclaiming power and financial dominance. Co-signed by industry heavyweights such as Snoochie Shy, NLE Choppa and Tion Wayne, she’s also received the not-so-easy-to-gain support of the Barbz (hey, Nicki!) and had Doja Cat rhyming along to her bars on IG Live. As she continues to win over earlier doubters with each new drop, CC is set to leave an indelible mark on the UK music scene in 2024 and beyond. —Mimi 

SamRecks

For fans of: Ashbeck, Sainté, Jordy
Essential tracks: “WISH”, “BACK PACK”, “Juice”

Nigerian-British rapper SamRecks is a barrer’s barrer. The fashion-forward South Londoner has been releasing music since 2020’s “On Me” but has come into his own of late, showcasing sharp wit, relaxed flows and a keen eye for a story. Citing the likes of Chip, Wretch 32, Skepta and Drake as influences, he raps with intention despite the cool exterior. His 2023 EP, Easier Said Than Done, serves as a good introduction, meandering through chilled drill vibrations and pinpoint wordplay centred around video games (“SEGA”), complex romantic relations (“Situationship 2”) and self-care (“Done For The Week”). He didn’t stop at the tape, either; he also released “WISH”, “STRINGS” and “Juice” with fellow MC Ashbeck—featured in this list last year—which was a potent lyrical exercise. A leading figure in the UK’s shining alternative rap scene, SamRecks can often be found rhyming with other lyrical wizards like BXKS and ayrtn on Balaami’s Victory Lap Radio, a breeding ground for this emerging subsection of rap. Slowly simmering, SamRecks is coming off the most productive year of his young career, proving he has the talent to make some real statements in ‘24. —Yemi Abiade

163Margs

For fans of: Digga D, Bandokay
Essential tracks: “Talk Of The Town”, “SOS”

163Margs arrived like a lightning bolt last year. Less than six months into his career, he went viral on TikTok with clips of his first single, “Hide & Seek”, brought Digga D in to then feature on said single, released a freestyle (“Talk Of The Town”) and then followed all that up with a feature from Bandokay and SJ (“SOS”). That’s a hell of a bar to set yourself this early in the game, but so far it looks like it’s working because he’s got major league backing and the co-signs from the rest of the industry are stacking up. Between those releases, he was invited by Blanco to chip in a bonus verse for the revamped version of “Brilliant Mind III” —which would be an honour for most. It’s early doors for the young rapper, but a keen eye for smart career moves has earned him a lot of early buzz and a growing number of friends in high places. With a headline show coming up at the O2 Islington—if he pulls it off, 163Margs should have no problem converting this early buzz into a loyal fanbase. —James Keith

£MONZO

For fans of: Ms Banks, Sha Simone
Essential tracks: “S.I.T”, “PGG Freestyle”

£MONZO is an electrifying new force in British rap. Bursting onto the scene in 2021 with her Biggie-inspired “Notorious M.O.N” freestyle, the South London spitter shook the scene with her bold, sexual expression and assertive delivery, somewhat reminiscent of an early Lil’ Kim. Her music spans across grime and rap, reflecting her broad influences as shown in songs like “Sneaky Link” and “PGG Freestyle”. Just as bold as her music is £MONZO’s fashion sense, regularly stepping out in eye-catching accessories and chic outfits, mirroring her sexy and confident persona. With co-signs from the likes of Jme and Ms Banks, rap’s orbit is aligning for this rising star. Expect to see a lot more of £MONZO in 2024. —Naz Hamdi

LeoStayTrill

For fans of: Stepz, BackRoad Gee, Ambush
Essential tracks: “Honeybun”, “Airforce (Remix)”, “2 Man”

LeoStayTrill, formerly known as OfficiallyLeo, is at the forefront of a new generation ready to redefine the rap landscape as we know it. The South Londoner initially caught attention with a standout performance in the “Poppin” challenge in 2020, and further showcased his talent on The Voice UK, signalling the emergence of a promising artist. Collaborating with Fizzler, Murda B and Switch on Yung TS’ “Airforce (Remix)” last year added to his early recognition, paving the way for the release of “2 Man”, his debut solo single. The journey of LeoStayTrill is marked by a series of self-produced underground hits, including the much-loved “Honeybun”. A significant moment in Leo’s career came when Jme stamped him with a co-sign, labelling him a “fkkkkkin SUPERSTAR.” Santan Dave is also a fan. Beyond his impressive rap skills, Leo showcases remarkable production abilities, having self-produced his music since the age of 16. As he continues to carve his path in the rap game, 2024 promises to be a year where his star shines even brighter. —Mimi

Nino Uptown

For fans of: Nafe Smallz, Lil Macks
Essential tracks: “How High?”, “Come Over”

Hailing from West London, Nino Uptown is part of a class of British-Somali rappers defining what’s loosely grouped together as ‘UK wave alongside people like HollywoodH, RondoMontana, HSav, Suspect (ACG) and others, defined by their generous use of Auto-Tune, using the tool to hit the microtones (the tones between the notes on the Western chromatic scale). It’s what gives the sound its trippy, high-end gloss that’s regularly imitated but not always perfected. UPTOWNSZN solidified a lot of that, but in the two years since then, Nino’s been putting more of himself on record and creating something a little different from the usual crud talk and flossing that fills up the more forgettable takes on the sound. “Who Said Goons Don’t Cry” (and much of the Antisocial EP that came out in 2023), for example, blur the lines between wave and R&B further. There’s still some swagger in there, but the talk of loneliness and heartbreak shows a much more compelling songwriter at work. With this year’s “How High?”, he continued the thread, weighing up the cost of success and whether or not it’s even worth it. Better yet, his choice of instrumentals and the producers he sources them from is improving just as dramatically. Buckroll Beats, the man behind the velvety sax and crisp trap hi-hats of “How High?”, has my vote as Nino’s finest collaborator. Hopefully, that’s the benchmark for 2024 and the years to come. —James Keith

Tay Jordan

For fans of: CASISDEAD, Novelist
Essential tracks: “Treason”, “Salute”

Tay Jordan is bringing a long-missed swagger back to UK rap, his laid-back stylings over G-funk-laced beats (see: “Self Made” and “Dying Breed-P Mix”) impressing the masses. With lyrics often revolving around themes of the hustle, the struggle, and success, his verses are marked by vivid storytelling, illustrating hood tales and the trials he has had overcome, which are reflected in his equally evocative visuals for tracks like “Treason” and “Piff Gang”. With a knack for weaving intricate narratives of street life and personal growth, Tay Jordan is bringing a polished fusion of wit and wisdom to the fore. Last year, he featured in a Victory Lap cypher with Wax, Shaun Sky and Sustrapperazzi, where he performed a freestyle over Giggs’ legendary “Pain Is The Essence” and garnering significant attention on social media. Tay Jordan emerges as the embodiment of a new era in UK rap, seamlessly blending homage with innovation. —Naz Hamdi

AB Hammerville

For fans of: M24, Morrisson, K-Trap
Essential tracks: “Street Cursed”, “Leaking”, “DNA”

East London born and raised, AB Hammerville arrives with a fresh perspective on the roads, placing an emphasis on synergy, camaraderie and sportsmanship. Signed to Potter Payper’s newly-formed label, 36, AB stands to make even more noise than he did last year with his drill-heavy mixtape, Welcome To Hammerville, featuring the likes of Russ Millions, wewantwraiths, Kojo Funds, Kay-O and more. AB’s debut Daily Duppy freestyle further showcased his lyrical dexterity and proved that Potter—the highly celebrated rhymesmith—was an A&R star in the making after snapping up this rising star so early on. With an unwavering commitment to authenticity and collaboration, this year promises to be a defining one for AB Hammerville. —Mimi

Montz

For fans of: Marnz Malone, R.A., Nafe Smallz 
Essential tracks: “Gxn Powder”, “First Day Back”, “Flowers In The Rain”

Wellingborough isn’t the most ideal stomping ground for aspiring creatives (trust me: I know), especially for artists, but the Northamptonshire town has a long history of local underground legends, spanning mostly grime and D&B, whose names hold weight throughout surrounding boroughs. Rap riser Montz comes from that cloth. Coming up under skilled MCs like Compz, Trill and Styla, Montz has a chameleon-like ability to sit on any type of beat and own it—something that only the school of grime could teach. Last year’s “Gxn Powder” was his breakout single, and his recent feature on Marnz Malone’s “Forever Missing You” (from his Tina’s Boy mixtape) is clocking up heat. Don’t sleep on the kid! —Joseph ‘JP’ Patterson  

Reek0

For fans of: Knucks, DC, Capo Lee,
Essential tracks: “Good Dreams”, “Mountain”

Rising rapper Reek0, hailing from Tottenham, North London, is adding new flavours to UK rap and carving out a distinct lane and identity for himself. After dropping his debut single, “Know Me Already”—a mellow grime banger featuring Dunman— in 2021, he has been steadily gaining kudos for his works across multiple genres, such as grime, jazz and alternative hip-hop. His way of finding new pockets is simply sublime and often times mind-boggling, like: how on earth? This is particularly noticeable in his live performances and radio sets, as well as when working with his Brighter Days Family—a music collective that includes Nia Archives, IZCO, and dochi. Reek0 is among the future stars of British rap so, please, do yourself a favour and join the wave while there’s still time. —Naz Hamdi

I.J

For fans of: Kay-O, SL, SR  
Essential tracks: “Crazy Week”, “Toxic Trait”

Sometimes it can take you years—decades, even—to realise your true calling, and for Wellingborough rapper I.J, that time came twenty-plus years down the line after growing up around rappers (and trappers) his entire life. A close affiliate of Montz, who also makes our 2024 rappers-to-watch list, I.J surprised his NN8 sides when he released “No Tax” with A Trapz last year; here we had someone whose debut track came radio-ready with a brazenness you could only but respect. Following that up with “Toxic Trait”, a drill cut with fellow up-and-comer Fids, I.J showed even more skill, getting into his song-making bag with a catchy hook that hasn’t left me yet. His first solo joint, “Crazy Week”, also deserves high praise. With his town fully behind him, the sky’s the limit for this legend in the making. —Joseph ‘JP’ Patterson  

AE

For fans of: ShaSimone, ENNY, Girll Codee 
Essential tracks: “Capri-Sun”, “Summer We Never Had”, “Mistaken”

In 2020, during lockdown, South London’s Ads & Els—popularly known as AE—stepped up to deliver Summer We Never Had, their impressive 4-track EP. Since then, they’ve consistently garnered attention, showcasing their undeniable talent and leaving a lasting impression on fans and critics alike with freestyles and loosies. In 2021, AE were named as one of twenty MOBO Unsung finalists, and their inclusion on the MOBO Unsung comp album further solidified their status as an act to watch. The duo’s innovative approach and distinctive style caught widespread acclaim with the release of “Mistaken”, the video for which they directed themselves—a viral sensation that saw them being featured on influential platforms like TRENCH and co-signed by the likes of Rapsody, as well as gaining radio spins from BBC Radio 1Xtra, Kiss FM, Reprezent and No Signal. Keep it locked to Ads & Els as they cement their position as trailblazers in the UK rap scene. —Mimi 

bib sama.

For fans of: Ashbeck, Len, M Huncho  
Essential tracks: “BAEFRIEND”, “OUT!!”, “H8 BOYZ” 

Effortless when it comes to making extremely fun music, rapper/producer bib sama. crafts what he calls ‘Nu-Grime’; vivid soundscapes that cut across trap, grime, rap, Baile funk and electronica, and is incredibly immersive—the kind of music to soundtrack anime flicks and late nights in London with the gang. In 2023 alone, the North London native released the XCHRA and XCHRA II EPs, following 2022’s PLATINUS, and let listeners in on an expansive, futuristic sound underpinned by his chameleon-like rapping style, ready for even his strangest sound pieces. Most recently, he turned heads with “BAEFRIEND”, an earworm of a track complemented by a playful music video that one YouTube comment called ‘generational.’ High praise, but given the work bib has been putting in of late, completely understandable. Underground rap is definitely having its moment in the sun right now, seeing more plaudits by the day, and he is firmly in the mix, using his vision to craft a different kind of lane for himself. bib sama. is a poster child for doing things your own way and having fun in the process. —Yemi Abiade

Frank Ekwa

For fans of: wewantwraiths, M Huncho, Squeeks
Essential tracks: “Chances”, “Ko Banga Te”, “Busy”  

Sometimes the journey is more important than the destination, and Frank Ekwa is now bearing the fruits of his hard work. Active in music since 2016, the East Londoner came up as part of Ambush’s Buzzworl collective and immediately stood out with a versatile style. With his brand of soulful, melodic tones, meshed with more hard-hitting spitting when the time calls, Ekwa is a threat on many fronts. In 2023, he made a splash with “Ko Banga Te”, a soothing reimagination of Byron Messia’s worldwide smash, “Talibans”, centred around his mission for self-improvement. The remix brimmed with sincerity, and he fed the streets further with the gritty “Busy”, adapting to production akin to current UK rap but not losing one step. You never know what you’re going to get with Frank Ekwa; he can give you introspective, cruddy, self-aware and greazy, which plays to his strengths perfectly and makes his future that bit more exciting. —Yemi Abiade

Steve Drive

For fans of: M Huncho, DBE, Nafe Smallz
Essential tracks: “One More Time”, “Super Trapstar”, “Traphouse Kickin”

Representing Woolwich, SE London, Steve Drive is injecting the UK rap scene with a heavy dose of melodic trap for the win. Having grown up on a diet of classic R&B and American rap, his music nods heavily to the Auto-Tuned trap that has made Atlanta such an important city for music, but his swag and tales from the hood couldn’t be more British, more LDN. C.R.E.A.M, Steve Drive’s 2022-released, debut EP, set the stage for him to be noticed by his contemporaries M Huncho and DBE’s Young Adz (he’s worked with the former more than once), and following underground hits such as “Super Trapstar” and “One More Time”, the game could potentially be his for the taking if he remains consistent. —Joseph ‘JP’ Patterson  

Kirbs

For fans of: Central Cee, Nemzzz, Ambush
Essential tracks: “The Game”, “Chop Life”

Highbury’s KIRBS has become synonymous with the chill-drill sound, infusing it with his skippy flows and skillful penmanship. After releasing “Chop Life” in 2022 and multiple freestyles on his socials, KIRBS disappeared from the scene but came back with a bang in 2023 with “The Game”, a gritty look at hood life in North LDN through his lens. KIRBS has attracted the attention of music tastemakers and rap fans alike, especially as the video for “The Game” dropped on the Live Yours YouTube channel, earning a co-sign from Central Cee. Beyond his musical talents, he has received plaudits for his fashion sense and has collaborated with brands such as SNS, Syna and Nocta. With his rapidly rising popularity, KIRBS continues to be an exciting figure in the scene with the potential to make an impactful contribution to its history one day. —Naz Hamdi

Brandon Nembhard

For fans of: Knucks, Lord Apex, Loyle Carner
Essential tracks: “Keeper”, “keys!”, “and?”

South London’s Brandon Nembhard raps like the rent is due. Often spitting with a smooth, measured composure that can flip in a minute when he jumps in his double-time bag, whether it’s chill-drill or boom-bap, he can carry any beat into his orbit. Brandon made serious moves in 2023, releasing his first EP, Think or Swim, and showcasing his lyrical versatility, juxtaposing tracks like the breezy “and?” with the rampant “stay up” and soulful “you know?”. In addition to that, he dropped another seven singles to stake his claim as one of the hardest-working spitters in the game. Meanwhile, it takes real confidence to make a track like “The World Is Yours”, utilising the immortal Nas song of the same name and flipping it on its head. Brandon Nembhard showed in 2023 that he is no one’s mate, and his consistency is steadily becoming something to rely on.
—Yemi Abiade

Namani

For fans of: AntsLive, Blaze YL
Essential tracks: “Bounce”, “Gutta”

A surefire mood-booster, Lewisham’s Namani is the perfect tonic for grey weather and the non-stop assault of crushing disappointment that defines the UK. Tracks like “Sommer Rays” call to mind Amine at his Good For You best or even a less woozy Smino—but with much, much more energy. Namani raps about footie, Mario Kart, chatting up girls and tearing round South London with his pals. He’s also got a pleasingly complete vision of himself. The “Sommer Rays” video saw him connect with director LAUZZA (who’s directed videos for Bawo, Ashbeck and Rushy) and the finished product was a crisp video with a bright colour palette and visual style set apart from his contemporaries. We’ve had three EPs from Namani so far: his debut, The Sommer Pack set his dry, deadpan humour set against twinkly, sunshine melodies and speaker-cracking beats. His second EP, Text Language, was a team effort with El Londo that dug into a sound influenced by the “chill-drill” movement. His third, 333WURLDIE!, cranked the energy up, tapping into a faster flow that he fired out over chopped up soul and chipmunk vocals charged with Jersey Club. Based on the Orda two-tracker he dropped off at the end of January, it looks like his sound has evolved yet again, slowing things down again, looking inwards a little more, and settling on beats that sit somewhere between the chill-drill smokiness and Jersey thump. What he gives us in the next twelve months is anyone’s guess. —James Keith

dialE

For fans of: Deema, artyn
Essential tracks: “AOT”, “tap that”

Hailing from Newham, East London—an area revered for its contributions to UK rap and grime from the likes of Ghetts, Kano, Lancey Foux and J Hus—dialE is waving the flag for the new gen of Newham and making a name for himself with his unique blend of introspective lyricism, smooth flows and diverse production choices. Releasing his first string of tracks back in 2021, including “Made In The East” and “Pisces”, it was a year and some change later that he began to really make noise via tracks like “AOT”, “tap that” and “nine thirty (the glow)”. His songs often delve into personal experiences, offering a glimpse into his life—which is a treat when it comes to dialE, as he’s a mysterious figure who rarely shows his face, letting the music speak for him. However, he balances all that depth by throwing some fun, lighthearted songs into the mix... Some advice? Stay dialled into dialE. —Naz Hamdi

JayG

For fans of: SL, Nemzzz
Essential tracks: “White Lies”, “Different”

It’s early days for JayG. There are just eight tracks on his Spotify page (and a few more loosies on YouTube), one of which is a Mixtape Madness Next Up? freestyle and another a Groundworks posse cut. Still, he’s maintaining a healthy pace. He’s evolved considerably, too: his first two drops, “I Ain’t” and “Embiid” with Marlon Vetter, took a melodic approach, using a more fluid rhyming style that feels a world away from the fast-talking agility of his most recent single, “White Lies”. JayG has also made himself known on the airwaves with appearances on the Victory Lap radio show, including the infamous RTW Records cypher with Dave and Central Cee, and he’s already catching attention across the pond with a salute from Alphone Pierre in his Pitchfork column. As things gather pace for JayG, I’d normally start wondering what a mixtape or an EP might sound like, but this period of quickfire singles and radio sparring is a thrill to watch. —James Keith

Smith Blaxk

For fans of: Rushy, Ashbeck
Essential tracks: “Feeling”, “Ya Dread”

A few years ago, Smith Blaxk hit a serious hot streak. He sets 2016 as the year he officially started his career and he hit the ground running quickly, but it was 2019’s “Feeling” that really changed things for him. The dreamy, night-drive production and catchy “I do this for the feeling / every lyric that I wrote got meaning” mantra struck an instant chord and he made good on its promise. Last year’s Truss & Believe album and the Songs EP expanded on that bassy rap sound that, by his own admission, took a few cues from a lot of rap and R&B bubbling up out of Toronto at the time—a scene Blaxk says was hugely influential on him when he was discovering his tastes in the SoundCloud rap boom. Although the majority of his releases were scrubbed from Spotify, they’ve since returned and with them, a recharged version of Blaxk whose Insta promises more music this year. Two guest spots on Billzonthebeat’s latest project, Foundations, and a new single in “Top Of The World” have already started to fulfil that and judging by the latter’s lyrics (and title), nothing can stop him now. —James Keith