The Top 30 Best U.K. Rappers of All Time

Regarding rap music, the United Kingdom is responsible for the birthplace of some of the most influential and creative artists that have ever lived. From the earliest days of grime to the most recent wave of sounds influenced by trap, rappers from the United Kingdom have never stopped pushing the limits of their genre and leaving their imprint on the music business on a global scale.

In spite of the fact that their American contemporaries often overshadow them, rappers from the United Kingdom have developed a distinct sound that is gritty and raw while at the same time being refined and polished. This blog post will count down the top 30 finest UK rappers of all time. Criteria such as their influence on the scene, their lyrical ability, and their overall contribution to the genre will be considered.

This list will highlight the absolute best of United Kingdom rap and exhibit the broad variety of talent this country offers. It will begin with pioneers such as Tion Wayne and Kano and move on to current faces such as Unknown T and Dave.

30. Lancey Foux

Lancey Foux, also known as Lance O. Omal, is a UK-based rapper and singer from Stratford, London. Born to parents of Ugandan descent on November 30 1995, Lancey spent his formative years growing up in Newham, East London. He established his presence in the music industry by releasing a series of singles on SoundCloud over two years.

In collaboration with English producer Nyge, Lancey released his debut studio album titled “First Day at Nursery”. His talent caught the attention of Kanye West, who invited him to work on his album “Donda” in Vegas. Some of the best songs from Lancey Foux that need to be mentioned, including Lancey Or Lancey, MMM HMM, WORLD ON FIRE and Fashion Show.

29. Dave

David Orobosa Omoregie is a well-known English rapper, better known professionally as Santan Dave or simply Dave. His real name is David Orobosa Omoregie. The media have praised him for the socially conscious lyrics he writes as well as his remarkable wordplay. Frank Omoregie, Dave’s father, is a minister, and Juliet Doris Omoregie, Dave’s mother, is a nurse.

Dave was named after his pastor’s father. In addition, he has two elder brothers named Benjamin and Christopher, who are eight and five years older than him. After the release of his Game Over E.P. on February 27, 2018, Dave presented the world with the first version of his track “Hangman.” In the later part of that autumn, he started off on his very first tour of Europe.

His track “Funky Friday” became the first song by a British rapper since 2015 to top the U.K. Singles Chart as a lead artist, and it did so as the first time he appeared as the artist on the chart. This accomplishment represented Dave’s first top-10 hit and first number-one single in his career. Some of the best songs from Dave that need to be mentioned Playing For Keeps, Wanna Know Remix, Twenty To One, Streatham and Stinking Rich.

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28. Bugzy Malone

Aaron Daniel Davies, professionally known as Bugzy Malone, is a British rapper and actor from Manchester, England. Despite growing up in an economically challenged household and not meeting his biological father during childhood, Davies persevered. He looked up to his stepfather as a role model until his parents’ separation due to domestic violence.

In 2010, Malone released his first mixtape, SwaggaMan, and started freestyling for the northern grime YouTube channel KODH TV on the series Spray Out Freestyle. The lead single, “Hip Hop Heavy Metal,” from his mixtape, was released on September 21 2011 and has 1.3 million views on YouTube. Some of the best songs from Bugzy Malone that need to be mentioned Moving, Relegation Riddim, MAD, Bruce Wayne, and Aggy Wid It.

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27. Slowthai

Tyron Kaymone Frampton, known professionally as Slowthai, is a British rapper. He was born on December 18 1994 and grew up in the Lings area of Northampton with his sister and single mother.

Unfortunately, his younger brother Michael passed away shortly after his first birthday, significantly impacting Frampton. Slowthai’s talent and unique sound were recognized when he placed fourth in the B.B.C. Sound of 2019. Later that year, he released his debut studio album, Nothing Great About Britain. Some of the best songs from Slowthai that need to be mentioned Doorman, i tried, Feel Good, Sooner, and Selfish.

26. ArrDee

Riley Jason Davies is the true name of the British rapper known by his stage moniker ArrDee. He was born in Brighton, England, and raised there throughout his childhood. He attended P.C.S. at Peacehaven, which is located in Brighton. His single “Oliver Twist,” which references the novel “Oliver Twist” by Charles Dickens, climbed all the way up to number six on the U.K. Singles Chart.

Kwame Kwei-Armah, an actor and playwright, is credited with writing the lyrics for this record. The mixtape by ArrDee achieved number 6 on the U.K. Official Album Download Charts Top 100 after making its debut at number 2 on the U.K. Official Albums Chart Top 100. In addition, it debuted its debut on the U.K. Official Albums Streaming Chart Top 100 on March 25, 2022, where it debuted at number 1. Some of the best songs from ArrDee that need to be mentioned are Oliver Twist, come and go, Flowers, war, and locker.

25. Swarmz

Brandon Scott, born on September 11, 1996, is a British rapper and crossover boxer who goes by the stage name Swarmz. He is of Barbadian and Jamaican heritage. During his childhood, Scott was deeply influenced by the music his family listened to, which included a variety of Jamaican artists.

While attending school, he and his friends started rapping. Scott began making music as a hobby alongside his youth football career. Initially, he created freestyles on SoundCloud under the name Swarmzy-B, which he later shortened to Swarmz when he started making music professionally.

In 2017, he released his first video, titled “Money,” which attracted over 200,000 views on YouTube. Some of the best songs from Swarmz that need to be mentioned Pumpy, Bally , Lyca. Lyca and Motorola .

24. JayKae

Janum Khan is a British rapper and actor born in Small Heath, Birmingham. He is known professionally under the stage name Jaykae. His family has Afghan, Egyptian, Irish, and Pakistani ancestry, and he was born and raised in the town of Small Heath. His heritage is quite diversified.

In 2017, Jaykae launched his smash single “Every Country,” which featured Murkage Dave of the Murkage cartel. “Every Country” was a collaboration between Jaykae and Murkage Dave. Skepta was responsible for producing the song, which went on to become Radio 1’s Tune of the Week.

Jaykae has also worked with other well-known musicians, such as Mike Skinner from The Streets, to produce songs such as “CCTV” and “Boys Will Be Boys.” Some of the best songs from JayKae that need to be mentioned on The Way Home, Moscow, Honey Dew, Dunya and Heartache.

23. Headie One

British rapper and musician Irving Ampofo Adjei, better known by his stage name Headie One (previously Headz), is of Ghanaian ancestry and is proficient in the Twi language. His father and sister brought up Adjei despite the fact that he had to grow up without his mother at such a young age.

He did Rapping when he was still in his early teens, but he only took it seriously after he got out of jail. His boyhood nickname was “50p,” after the British pound sterling coin, and his stage name was derived from that childhood moniker. His second solo mixtape, titled “The One,” was published in 2018 and included the hit “Know Better” featuring R.V.

This song helped him get popularity within the underground music community. Some of the best songs from Headie One that need to be mentioned Both, Know Better, This Week, Of Course, and Charades.

22. Sam Wise

Sam Wise is a rapper who has received a lot of accolades over the past few years and has attracted a lot of attention from people working in the music industry. He was born and raised in London and has always had a profound love for music. He began writing his songs’ lyrics at a very young age.

Because of his singular approach to rapping and the depth of his lyrical content, he has garnered a considerable fan base and established himself as a significant player in the U.K. rap scene.

Sam Wise’s early passion for music was fostered by his upbringing in South London, where he spent most of his childhood. He creates a sound that is all his own by channeling the creative energies of famous musicians like Nas, Jay-Z, and Kanye West and combining those influences into his own original compositions. Some of the best songs from Sam Wise that need to be mentioned are Haze, Towndown, Rack Up, 45 with Sam and Control.

21. MoStack

Montell Samuel Daley, professionally known as MoStack, is a talented British rapper and singer hailing from Hornsey in North London. MoStack has autism, which has not deterred him from achieving success in his career. He avidly supports Arsenal F.C., a football club based in London. In the years leading up to 2017, MoStack released several online songs and non-album singles, building a strong following.

On June 2 2017, MoStack released his debut mixtape, High Street Kid, which debuted at number 16 on the U.K. Albums Chart. Some of the best songs from MoStack that need to be mentioned Liar Liar, Litness, Yes Yes, and Let It Ring.

20. Wiley

Richard Kylea Cowie Jr. M.B.E. is a British grime MC, rapper, songwriter, D.J., and record producer who hails from the neighborhood of Bow in London. He was born on January 19, 1979.

He comes from both Trinidad and Antigua, according to his family tree. Richard Cowie Senior, Cowie’s father, was a reggae artist throughout Cowie’s childhood in the 1980s. Richard Cowie Senior was the one who exposed Cowie to early hip-hop artists like The Sugarhill Gang. As a U.K. garage crew Pay As U Go member, with whom he had a top 40 single titled “Champagne Dance” in 2001, Wiley first earned fame in the music industry. .

On October 19, 2013, Wiley was presented with an honor related to the 18th anniversary of the MOBO Awards. Some of the best songs from Wiley that need to be mentioned Last Ten Years, Aim High, “Sorry, Sorry Pardon What, and Crash Bandicoot Freestyle.

19. Giggs

Nathaniel Thompson, born on May 11, 1983, is a renowned British rapper and songwriter hailing from Peckham, London. Raised by parents of Caribbean descent, Giggs began his career as a D.J. in Peckham, playing predominantly reggae, ragga, and Dancehall, and even had his own radio station, called “Spare No One FM.”

Although occasionally referred to as a grime MC, Giggs has repeatedly emphasized that his music falls under the U.K. rap genre. His album garnered widespread acclaim, leading to his rising popularity outside London.

In 2008, he was nominated for the B.E.T. Awards in the U.S. for Best Hip-Hop Act: U.K., and emerged victorious, triumphing over more established acts at the time. some of the best songs from Giggs that need to be mentioned Peligro, Talkin the Hardest, The Essence and Pink Lemonade.

18. L3

L3, a young hip-hop artist, has been receiving recognition in the music industry due to his one-of-a-kind style and extraordinary lyrical prowess. L3 has been gaining prominence in recent years. His music is a blend of hip-hop and R&B, and it is distinguished by infectious sounds and relatable lyrics that are able to connect with a wide range of listeners.

One thing that sets L3 apart from other rap artists is his ability to captivate listeners with the narrative he tells via his songs. However, he became widely known in the business after he had published his first album, which had collaborations with several well-known other rappers. Music critics praised the album and was instrumental in advancing L3’s standing in the music industry.

17. AJ Tracey

AJ Tracey, whose real name is Ché Wolton Grant, is a rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer from the United Kingdom. His professional name also knows him. Tracey has exhibited a lifelong commitment to the craft of rapping, beginning with a liking for the genre when she was just six years old.

Middle Row Primary School was where he spent his early education; he went on to complete his formal education at Holland Park School. It was in 2018 when Tracey’s debut single, “Butterflies,” which featured the British rapper Not3s, broke into the top 20 on the U.K. Singles Chart, thereby securing his position in the music industry.

His self-titled first album, issued by Warner Records in 2019, was well-received by music critics and reached a high position of number three on the U.K. Albums Chart. Some of the best songs from AJ Tracey that need to be mentioned Thiago Silva, Ladbroke Grove, Rain, Make You Smile, and Seoul.

16. Skinnyman

Skinnyman, also known as Alexander Graham Holland, is a talented British rapper who was born in Chapeltown Leeds, Yorkshire and later relocated to Finsbury Park, London. His musical journey began in the early 1990s, during which he made a name for himself through his socially conscious lyrics and his ability to narrate stories through his music.

In 2004, he appeared in the inaugural episode of Tower Block Dreams, a documentary series on B.B.C. Three that explored the underground music scene of council estates. Additionally, he played a minor role in the interactive T.V. series Dubplate Drama in 2005. Some of the best songs from Skinnyman that need to be mentioned Ya fool, fria, surf, and Down.

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15. Kano

Kano, real name Kane Brett Robinson, is a British rapper, composer, and actor born and raised in East Ham, London. Kano is also known by his stage name, Kano. Kano, born in Jamaica to Jamaican parents, went to Langdon Secondary School and had early promise as a footballer, playing for numerous famous clubs before the age 13.

On the other hand, he finally decided to pursue a music career instead. Kano has five albums available, the most recent of which, Made in the Manor, was recognized with a nomination for the prestigious Mercury Prize in 2016. At the 2016 MOBO Awards, he was awarded the trophy for Best Album. Kano is well known for his acting ability and his work as a musician.

He is best known for his performance as Sully in the long-running and critically acclaimed television series Top Boy. Some of the best songs from Kano that need to be mentioned Boys Love Girls, Ps and Qs, Signs In Life ft Ghetts, and Nite Nite.

14. Digga D

Digga D is the stage name of British rapper Rhys Angelo Emile Herbert, who goes by this name professionally. At the age of 12, he discovered Jamaican reggae and dancehall, which sparked his interest in music and drove him to begin writing his own music. He is currently based in Jamaica.

In the early morning of November 9, 2017, members of the Digga D and 1011 groups were stopped and searched, leading to their arrests. During the search, machetes and baseball bats were discovered in their hands. Recently, on February 16, 2023, Digga D was featured on the remix of Strandz’s “Us Against The World,” which reached number 10 on the U.K. Songs Chart. The original song was released in 2021.

Some of the best songs from Digga D that need to be mentioned Wasted, Hold It Down, Woi, and Pump 101.

13. Fredo

Fredo is the stage name given to Marvin William Bailey, a musician and rapper from the United Kingdom who was born and raised in Kilburn, London. Growing up in West Kilburn, he was subjected to the gang violence and criminality prevalent in his surroundings, including his home on the Mozart Estate, which is located in West London.

Fredo released his second studio album, titled “Money Can’t Buy Happiness,” in January 2021. This album featured collaborations with artists such as Pop Smoke, Dave, Summer Walker, and Young Adz.

With the release of the album, it was announced that he would now be releasing his music independently, and the album reached its highest place on the U.K. Albums Chart at number two. Some of the best songs from Fredo that need to be mentioned Toxic Trait, Dave Flow, i’m Back, Like That.

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12. S.L.

Harlee Bashir Laguda Milne is a brilliant British rapper better known by his stage name, S.L. He has garnered notoriety for his singular persona due to the success of his music. It contributes to the air of mystery surrounding him since he maintains his anonymity in public by donning a ski mask.

As of March 2023, the debut track “Gentleman,” that S.L. released when he was just 15 years old has become a street anthem with over 76 million views on YouTube. His subsequent single, “Tropical,” released in February 2018, reached its highest position on the U.K. Singles Chart at number 73.

The B.P.I. later certified the record as Platinum in 2022. The first studio album by S.L., titled Different Dude, was released on October 23, 2020. Some of the best songs from S.L. that need to be mentioned Felt Tips, Bye Bye, Need More and Mad About Africa.

11. JAY1

Jay1 is the stage name of British rapper and songwriter Jason Andrè Juami, who was born on January 27, 1998 and hails from Coventry. His stage name, Jay1, also knows him. Jay1 did a PESS apprenticeship with the SCCU, the local supplier of apprenticeships in Coventry, before going into the music industry.

In 2019, he made his debut with the release of the single “Your Mrs,” which skyrocketed to success on various social media platforms almost immediately after its initial release. The catchy tune and humorous lyrics helped catapult the song to viral status, which resulted in it accumulating millions of views on YouTube and establishing Jay1 as a rising star with a committed fan base.

The topics of achievement and desire and the difficulties and rewards of navigating the music industry frequently appear in his lyrics. Some of the best songs from JAY1 that need to be mentioned Danca. Dhurata Dora, Gang Gang , Mocking It, and Daily Duppy.

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10. Mist

Mist is the stage name of British rapper Rhys Thomas Sylvester, who was born on March 2, 1992 and hails from Birmingham. Mist’s real name is Rhys Thomas Sylvester. His grandfather played the guitar in a band that was featured on an earlier episode of Top of the Pops.

Mist took an interest in rap music at a young age and cites singers like as Busta Rhymes, The Notorious B.I.G., Snoop Dogg, and Puff Daddy as some of the musicians who inspired her musical taste. The E.P. that Mist released included three tracks that made it onto the U.K. Singles Chart.

These songs were “Wish Me Well” featuring Jessie Ware, which reached its highest position at number 73, “On It” featuring Nines, which reached its highest position at number 66, and “Game Changer,” which reached its highest position at number 35. The “Game Changer” single earned a Silver certification from the B.P.I. in the year 2021. Some of the best songs from Mist that need to be mentioned Wish Me Well, Uber, On It, Mosh Pit, and Fountain.

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9. Octavian

Octavian Oliver Lanoire is a French-British rapper, singer, and songwriter born on January 22, 1996 in London. He is also known for his hometown of Paris. As a young adult, he was awarded a scholarship to attend the prestigious BRIT School; nonetheless, he made the decision to drop out after about a year and a half of study there.

The song “Friday 13th” from Gorillaz’s eighth studio album “Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez” featured Octavian and was released in June 2020. Since that time, he has been very successful with the release of his projects, such as his debut mixtape “Spaceman” in 2018 and his debut album “Endorphins” in 2019.

Because of his success, famous musicians like Skepta, Diplo, and Travis Scott have offered to work with him on projects. The year 2020 saw the publication of his second album, titled “Some of the best songs from Octavian that need to be mentioned Rari, May I, unearth me, and

8. Deno

Deno Michael Mebrahtu is a gifted British singer, songwriter, rapper, and actor born in London on September 23, 2002. He is also originally from Manchester. Deno and A.J. were given a recording contract by Sony Columbia UK in 2017, and they issued a couple of singles before achieving mainstream success in 2018 with their song “London,” which featured E.O.

The music video for “London” has been viewed more than 45 million times, and it reached position No. 45 on the U.K. Singles Chart at its highest point. The song “Advice,” a collaboration between Deno and the rapper Cadet and which came from their encounter on the production of the short film Shiro’s Story Part 3 (2018), has received over 30 million views on YouTube and has become an internet sensation. Some of the best songs from Deno that need to be mentioned Baby, Muzik, Hold Me Down and Sachet le.

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7. Loyle Carner

Loyle Carner, whose real name is Benjamin Gerard Coyle-Larner, is a well-respected hip hop musician who hails from the United Kingdom. In South Croydon, where he was brought up by his mother Jean, a teacher who worked with students who had learning disabilities, and his stepfather Nik, he began to make a name for himself in the music industry with the release of his song “Angel,” which was featured on the playlist for the FIFA 20 soundtrack.

In the year 2020, Carner and his brother Ryan collaborated on the direction of the music video for “Eugene” by Arlo Parks. Carner’s first studio album, Yesterday’s Gone, was released on January 20, 2017, and was met with a great deal of acclaim from music press members, including being named Album of the Year by The Independent. Some of the best songs from Loyle Carner that need to be mentioned H.G.U., Speed Of Plight, Hate, and Take It Slow.

6. Hardy Caprio

Hardy Tayyib-Bah is a well-known rapper and singer born in the United Kingdom on May 23, 1996. He is also known by his professional name, Hardy Caprio. It was in 2010 that he released his first project, titled “A New Page,” and three years later, in 2013, he released his debut mixtape, titled “Indecisive,” under the rap pseudonym Hardy.

In 2017, Hardy worked with One Acen to produce the tunes “Unsigned” and “Super Soaker,” both released. “Unsigned” was played over 14 million times on YouTube and received a platinum award for its success.

In addition, it has been streamed over 30 million times and peaked at number two on the Independent Chart in the U.K. Some of the best songs from Hardy Caprio that need to be mentioned Under The Sun, Sisqo, Big Poppa, and Month.

5. Unknown T

Daniel Richardson British rapper Lena, better known by her stage name, Unknown T, has seen great commercial success. His record, published in 2020 and titled Rise Above Hate, was met with enormous praise in the U.K. music industry, and it topped the charts within its first few weeks of release.

After the release of his single “Driller sh!t” in July 2021, he announced his second mixtape, Adolescence, on the 30th of that same month. Digga D, M1llionz, Potter Payper, and Nafe Smallz make cameos on the mixtape. Some of the best songs from Unknown T that need to be mentioned Medicine, Homerton B, Excuse Me, Dumpa, and 9er Ting.

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4. Russ Millions

Batchelor, Shylo. Ashby Milwood, who was born on March 20 1996 in England, is a rapper who goes by the stage name Russ Millions. Because of his talent, he has established a name for himself in the music industry and has worked with renowned artists such as Buni, Taze, Tion Wayne, Digga D, Pressa, LD, and Dappy.

His subsequent track, “Keisha & Becky,” which he collaborated on with Tion Wayne, entered the U.K. Singles Chart in April 2019 at position number 19 and eventually reached position seven, further adding to his success as an artist. Some of the best songs from Russ Millions that need to be mentioned Gun Lean, Mr Sheeen, Big Shark, Backseat, and 6:30.

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3. Yxng Bane

The man’s name is Larry Cummings. Kiala is a British rapper, singer, and composer born and raised in East London. She is better known by her stage name, Yxng Bane. He received his secondary education at Palmers College in Grays, Essex, after completing his primary education at Eastlea Community School in Canning Town.

Yxng Bane is a devoted follower of the Arsenal Football Club. In June of 2017, he worked with the rapper Yungen on the production of the smash single “Bestie,” which ultimately peaked at position 10 on the U.K. Singles Chart. Some of the best songs from Yxng Bane that need to be mentioned Bestie, Vroom, Answerphone, Gucci Mane and Fine Wine.

2. Not3s

Lukman Olanrewaju Odunaike is a British musician who was born and raised in Hackney, London. His stage name, Not3s, better knows him. He has made a name for himself as a vocalist and a rapper because of the success of songs like “My Lover” and “Fine Line,” both of which include Mabel as a featured guest.

Not3s was born in Hackney, London, to Nigerian parents and raised there throughout his childhood. He follows Manchester United Football Club (F.C.) very closely. Notably, his single “Uber” became quite famous, and as a result, he was asked to perform at the holiday party hosted by the ride-sharing firm at KOKO. Some of the best songs from Not3s that need to be mentioned Counting, Unbothered, One More Time, 3rd Eye, and Take Me In.

1. Tion Wayne

Tion Wayne is the stage name of British rapper and DJ Dennis Junior Odunwo, who was born and raised in Edmonton, which is located in North London. Both of his parents worked in their respective fields, nursing and computer engineering when they were employed.

Tion Wayne has established a reputation for himself in the music industry despite his early aspirations of being an accountant. He has been featured as a guest artist on three singles that have reached the top ten of the U.K. Singles Chart. These hits are “Options” by N.S.G., “Keisha & Becky” with Russ Millions, and “Houdini” by KSI.

He had his first top-10 success as the lead artist with “I Dunno,” featuring Dutchavelli and Stormzy, which reached number 7 and had him having his first number 1 with “Body” alongside Russ Millions. Some of the best songs from Tion Wayne that need to be mentioned Me or the lifestyle, keisha & Becky, i dunno, and Knock knock.

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