This list guide features the Top 40 Most Influential British Hip Hop Rappers in the UK as of 2021. These are amongst some of the very best hip hop artists to top the UK Charts and the underground hip hop realm.
Most of them have had significant breakthroughs in their music profession while some of the underground rap artists have proven to have a dependable fanbase.
Most of all, they have showcased their skill and creativity in a way that the world has taken notice of their musical efforts, artistic performance, and influence over music fans.
1. Stefflon Don
Stefflon Don is a UK dancehall/rap artist switching between grime verses, dancehall patois, and honeyed vocals with ease and confidence.
Her first two shots gained traction when in 2015, she covered Wretch 32’s “Six Words” and Section Boyz’s “Lock Arff.”
2. Stormzy
Stormzy is a UK London-based grime MC of Ghanaian heritage. Late in the year 2013 he started uploading his “Wicked Skengman” series of freestyles over classic grime rhythms. In 2014, he made his formal debut with the EP Dreamers Disease.
In 2017 Stormzy published Gang Signs & Prayer (#Merky Records), which starred the single “Big for Your Boots” and the appearances by Kehlani, MNEK, and Ghetts.
3. Dave
Rapper Dave, is an English rapper who published his debut EP Six Paths in the year 2016, and the Game Over EP in late 2017, with its head single “No Words” charting inside the top 20 on the United Kingdom’s Singles Chart. Dave later released “Funky Friday” in the year 2018, which became his first number-one single as a lead singer.
4. Ray Blk
Ray BLK, is a British songwriter and singer, a rapper who was born in Nigeria, West Africa, and grew up in Catford in London, UK. She won the BBC’s prestigious Sound of 2017 and was the very first unsigned artist to do so. On 28 October of 2016, she published her debut mini-album, Durt, and in January 2018 signed to the UK branch of Island Records.
5. Fredo
Rapper Fredo, is an English rapper, from London, UK. He had a UK number-one single in the year 2018, with fellow rapper Dave, named “Funky Friday”.
In 2016 he published the single “They Ain’t 100” which gained recognition, including a small co-sign when Drake starred the track in his 30th birthday mix on OVO Sound Radio.
6. Dizzee Rascal
Dizzee Rascal, is a UK rapper, recording artist and music record producer. He released his acclaimed debut music album Boy in da Corner in the year 2003. It has since been viewed as a grime classic and earned him the 2003 Mercury Prize.
Follow-up albums Maths + English, Showtime, and Tongue n’ Cheek have been critically lauded and certified platinum with number-one hits “Dance wiv Me”, “Dirtee Disco”, “Shout”, “Bonkers”, “Holiday”.
7. Skepta
Skepta, is an English talented rapper, songwriter, music video director and record producer from Tottenham, North London, UK. rapper Skepta, alongside his brother Jme, entered Roll Deep for a short span of time before becoming establishing members of Boy Better Know in 2006. Soon after the formation, Skepta published a mixtape entitled “Joseph Junior Adenuga“.
With Boy Better Known, Skepta disagreed with fellow MC Devilman for the video announcement Lord of the Mics 2, in what is recognized as one of the biggest disagreements in grime history. Rapper Skepta’s fourth studio album, Konnichiwa, was published on 6 May 2016 to critical acclaim, obtaining that year’s Mercury Prize.
8. AJ Tracey
AJ Tracey is an English grime MC, rapper, and record producer from Ladbroke Grove in West London. In May 2016, The Guardian booked him in a list of “best new acts to catch at festivals of 2016”.
His fifth EP, Secure the Bag!, joined the UK Albums Chart at number thirteen in October of 2017.
9. Biq Shaq
Big Shaq is an English rapper, actor, who gained a reputation when he appeared on the hot Charlie Sloth’s BBC Radio 1Xtra musical “Fire in the Booth”. Shaq’s comedic rap “Man’s Not Hot” (whose subsidy track was sampled from 67 and Giggs’ 2016 track “Let’s Lurk”).
10. Wiley
Music sensation Wiley is an English rapper, MC, recording artist and record producer from Bow in East London. Wiley is deemed a pioneer in the British underground song scene with a prolific work rate and a talented music artist with many crossover hits.
11. Cadet
South London grime artist Cadet in 2015 released freestyles for underground London-based song channel OSM Vision, and abruptly saw his profile skyrocket.
In the year 2016 Cadet dropped his first mixtape, The Commitment. The self-released record saw him teaming up with the matches of Donae’o and Tis Rome.
12. Headie One
In late 2010 and early 2011 Headie One first made an emergence in the scene delivering solid verses on songs such as ‘Youngers From Farm’, ‘Wood Green Diss’ and ‘Bang For My Set’.
13. Bugzy Malone
Manchester city-based MC Bugzy Malone popped on the indie grime scene in 2015, racking up over 18 million views plus a MOBO nomination in that year alone for Best New Artist.
14. Young T & Bugsey
Young T and Bugsey, the Nottingham based duo whose fierce, eclectic hip-hop has transformed them into ones-to-watch, Tim Westwood, championed by Stormzy, and many more.
Their breakout singles albums ‘Glistenin’, ‘Gangland’ feat Belly Squad, ‘No Mickey Mouse Ting’, and underground smash ‘4×4’ have moreover helped establish them as ones to watch.
15. WSTRN
Formed by two cousins and a neighborhood close friend, West London trio WSTRN weave a endurance of musical camaraderie into their official R&B/pop-centric rap sound. Their initial single “In2,” released in 2015, was such a viral breakthrough it drew interest from labels as well as the assistance of Drake.
16. Giggs
Rapper Giggs is a British rapper who created his critically acclaimed solo album debut in the year 2008 with Walk in da Park. Giggs made his full-length solo debut in the late 2008 with the independently published album Walk in da Park. Later in the year, the rapper won the 2008 BET Award for Best U.K. Act.
17. Deno Driz
Driz rose to fame when his offhand cover of Geko’s song “Over and Under” went viral on Instagram in March of 2016. Deno Driz is a member of the music duo AJ x Deno. They published the song “Ride or Die” in 2017.
18. Avelino
From acclaimed mixtapes to header shows and record-breaking freestyles, Avelino’s accelerated rise over the past two years is testimonial to both his tenacity and his true talent.
On 10 February of 2017 Avelino published a single titled “Energy” which stars grime heavyweights, Skepta and Stormzy.
19. Dappy
North London MC/vocalist Dappy was contributory in the commercial big breakthrough of his urban-pop trio N-Dubz.
They signed to Polydor Records in late 2007, where they went on to obtain a number one single alongside Tinchy Stryder (“Number 1”), numerous MOBO Awards, and three Top 20 albums: Uncle B (that was named after his late father), Love.Live.Life amd Against All Odds.
20. Professor Green
Professor Green is an MC who comes from Hackney, London, England. After self-publishing an EP in 2008, Green was attacked at a London club, stabbed in the neck, and nearly lost his life, but the event did nothing to slow his music career down.
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Virgin signed him, and his first two music singles with the label, 2010’s “I Need You Tonight” (that sampled the INXS song of the same title) and “Just Be Good to Green” (which starred Lily Allen and made use of the S.O.S. Band’s popular “Just Be Good to Me” and also Beats International’s “Dub Be Good to Me”) entered the Top Ten of the U.K. singles chart
21. Lethal Bizzle
British based MC Lethal Bizzle’s specific lyrics of violence and street stories of East London drew response and controversy but additionally gave him enormous popularity among his followers of garage and grime in the 2000s, that actually boosted his career.
Bizzle released the single song “Pow! (Forward),” similarly known as “Forward Riddim.” Dexplicit produced that, it listed at top 11 on the U.K. pop chart list and earned him an MOBO award for The Best Single (the artist was also nominated for the Best Newcomer).
22. D-Block Europe
Professional rappers D-Block Europe are a London-based rap pair featuring Young Adz and Dirtbike LB.The duo made their very first public appearance in 2017, consequently releasing the singles album “Love of the Money” and also“Large Amounts” on the D-Block Records.
The rap duo gained attention with the top tracks and with constant massive support from the BBC’s Fire in the Booth and also with the Westwood Crib Sessions.
23. Wretch 32
British born rapper Wretch 32 rose out of London’s Tiverton top Estate projects in Tottenham city, along with his companions Kano, Stormzy, Devlin, Chipmunk, and Skepta.
The Ministry of Sound famously signed him by the decade’s end, and Wretch’s very first major-label single, called “Traktor,” was officially released in January of 2011, debuting at position five on the U.K. singles chart list.
24. SL
SL is a British based rapper from the Valley Park, Croydon region. His soundscapes hold tracks of early 2000s R&B and also rap music genre. One of his very first songs, named Gentleman was a great hit, and it was dropped when the rapper was only 15 then. SL is also known for his unique chill; the “tropical” take on the UK Drill sound.
25. Little Simz
Rapper Little Simz moves really genuinely between hip-hop music, R’n’B genre, jazz music and also soul beats with a philosophical, unique and yet self-assured valid music expression. She has already published two critically praised and an award-winning albums independently.
26. Nafe Smallz
Nafe Smallz was acknowledged in early 2016, the rappers’ talent was getting massively noticed more than ever before, and when he was only 19 years old, he was invited to support US superstar Future on his long UK tour.
He then opened up doors for both Rich Homie Quan & Migos at their popular London shows. Nafe then terminated in early 2016 by being one of the only support orders to open up for one the greatest rappers in England, rapper Skepta, at his headline show in front of over 10,000 people at Alexandra Palace in the UK.
27. IAMDDB
Rapper IAMDDB is a young, talented and exciting new celebrity hailing from Manchester city, known for her combination of trap-soul and sultry jazz-infused music vocals. With her latest music release named ‘HOODRICH VOL 3’ and a captivating production of single ‘PAUSE’ for Colours of Berlin, the rapper has proved herself as one of the top UK’s most exceptional new class of artists this year.
28. Mist
Uk, Birmingham-based grime MC Mist surged out of the mid-2010s grime resurgence, demonstrating that you don’t have to be from the city of London to be taken that seriously in the U.K. success sure can come from anywhere.
During his early music career, Mist co-operated with fellow Birmingham celebrated resident and producer Shadow, who would produce languid yet melodic rhythms for Mist to navigate. In the year 2016, Mist really started to break through; early in the year the rapper stepped up to the hotFire in the Booth, a notable feature on Charlie Sloth’s trending BBC Radio 1Xtra show
29. Slowthai
Northampton, the UK born and bred, rapper Slowthai is the topmost rapper speaking out for a generation of kids today. His lyrics are cut over with a rawness and courageous honesty that has the audience hanging on every elongated word (note: the slowthai moniker comes from a lovely childhood nickname, born out of friends discussing on his slow, drawled speech and expression).
30. Ambush Buzzworl
Coming from Camden, North West London, UK – Ambush Buzzworl reaches out for his pointed lyrical flow and polished delivery. Personally, I love the job that this talent brings out to the audience.
31. Kenny Allstar
Rapper Kenny Allstar – aka the Voice of the Streets began a career on the iconic pirate station DeJaVu FM and has since then hosted some top shows on Reprezent and his now fabulous Mad About Barz freestyle project. This has led to a regular scene on BBC 1Xtra where he can assist the underground UK music to grow further.
32. Ghetts
He was Born in Plaistow, East London, British MC Ghetts first started out in the grime combined NASTY Crew before deciding to leave and to set up the Movement, which additionally featured Schorcher, Devlin, and Wretch 32.
33. Skengdo
Skengdo is part of the pair in the UK Rap/Drill music scene, Skengdo x AM having developed from the Brixton’s #410 crew. They have an unstoppable skill and talent for splicing their songs with addictive cold hood realities, hooks, and endlessly quotable catchphrases.
34. Devlin
Devlin broke first through from London’s underground music grime scene to achieve the mainstream success today. Born in Dagenham, Essex in the UK, he released the music singles namely “Shot Music” and “Brainwashed,” the latter mention was his first top hit, which charted at position 31 and was after that nominated for Best Newcomer at the MOBO Awards.
35. K Koke
In 2010 K Koke was requested to feature on the BBC Radio 1Xtra and published a ‘Fire In The Booth’ freestyle for DJ, Charlie Sloth, that has since then become one of his most vital pieces of work to date, and at the moment he has over 11 million views.
In early 2011, rapper Koke became the first British rapper to get to sign to the Roc Nation by Jay-Z himself. That’s just great.
36. Flohio
Flohio was born and grew up in Bermondsey city, known for her punchy, imaginative lyrics are usually confessional. The British rapper released her song debut EP Nowhere Near in the year 2016.
37. Akala
Akala published his first album, named It’s Not a Rumour in early May of 2006. The music album won him the 2006 Mobo Award for the Best Hip-Hop Artist, and also scored him an opportunity slot on the popular UK leg of Christina Aguilera’s 2006 tour.
38. AM
Rappers AM is part of the pair in the UK Rap/Drill music scene, Skengdo x AM from the Brixton’s #410 crew. Skengdo x AM’s plucky tales of road life are the most overall compelling depictions of London in a generation that we know.
39. Lowkey
British rapper Lowkey has emerged as one of the best British hip-hop scene’s most outspoken rap artists. Born in the city of London he generated lots of buzz with his 2003 celebrated Key to the Game mixtape, a work in rap collective Poisonous Artists, and also support slots with Dead Prez, Canibus, and Immortal Technique. Lowkey took a hiatus from the music industry for many years before returning in the year 2009 with his first music album, Dear Listener.
40. Mic Righteous
Mic Righteous is a top British rapper who is prominently known for his angst-ridden social reviews and his collaborations with top household names such as Ed Sheeran and Emeli Sandé.
His aggressive approach was encapsulated in his very first official independent music release, the Open Mic EP in the year 2013.
