32 Best UK Rappers

23. JME

JME is best known as one of the founders of the rap crew and record label Boy Better Know. Although his primary focus has always been producing, recording, and enhancing his group’s music, he’s also delved into rap as a solo artist.

JME was born in London to parents of Nigerian origins. JME would attend university, ultimately completing his program in 3D digital design. His interest in digital productions would expand past the design world and into the music world.

He first started making ringtones for cell phones in the early 2000s. His first single that gained popularity was Over Me, which he released in 2009. His unique sound and production style would gain notoriety, helping him enter the rap scene.

24. Mist

Mist hails from the northern English city of Birmingham. His parents immigrated to the UK from the Caribbean and settled in an area of Birmingham primarily populated by Indian people. The mix of cultures and musical inspirations helped him create a sound unique to himself.

Mist first became interested in rapping when he was a young child. He said that his biggest rap influences were Biggie Smalls, Busta Rhymes, and Puff Daddy among others. His love for the American style explains why he sounds more similar to American rappers than UK rappers.

Mist got into some trouble in his youth, but after his release from prison in 2015, he started focusing on music. He started by releasing singles on Youtube and record labels quickly discovered his music.

25. Fredo

Fredo had a rough childhood. He grew up in Queen’s Park, a suburb of London. As a child, the neighborhood was rife with violence and gang wars, both of which had a severe impact on his life. Although his parents tried to protect him, they were often working too much to watch him.

In 2016 and 2017, he spent a lot of time in and out of jail. After his release, he decided to focus on his music career so that he could escape the cycle of violence.

Fredo’s style is very similar to one of his rap idols, 50 Cent. He raps with a unique cadence over instrumentals and beats similar to early 2000s gangster rap.

26. Wretch 32

Wretch 32 was one of the leading voices in the grime scene when it first rose to prominence in the early 2000s. He was a member of the grime crew Combination Chain Gang before moving on to other groups with fellow grime artists like Ghetts and Scorcher.

Wretch 32 was born in London to a Jamaican family. His mother, who was born in Jamaica, gave him the name wretch, which usually refers to a skinny person in Jamaica.

Wretch released three singles that reached the top five in 2011. From there, his career only grew. He’s won numerous awards, including Best Hop Hop Artist and Artist of the Year in 2010. Most recently, critics nominated his 2017 album for the album of the year in Britain.

27. Stefflon Don

Stefflon Don began releasing music in 2015. She was born in the UK, although her family moved to the Netherlands when she was young. Her family has always been interested in music, with Don singing since primary school.

She first found fame when she featured on a track with French Montana. From there, record producers recognized her talents and signed her to a deal. She won two awards in 2017 and 2018—one for the best female artist and another for the best new artist.

28. Loyle Carner

Loyle Carner first began his career doing backup vocals and opening acts for other British rappers. When he released his first studio album in 2017, it immediately gained critical praise. Critics even nominated him for the Mercury Prize, which recognizes the best British album of the year.

Carner was born in London, and his mother and stepfather raised him. Although he had minimal contact with his father, Carner still delved into his Guyanese roots to find inspiration for his music.

One of Carner’s luckiest breaks occurred during his first performance. He opened for MF Doom, who had a significantly larger fan base. Opening for him opened up numerous doors for Carner, who would go on to release two albums after, both of which reached number three.

29. Ms. Dynamite

Ms. Dynamite is a rapper of Scottish and Jamaican descent. Her parents split up when she was young, and she grew up in north London. When Dynamite was only 12, her mother developed cancer, and Dynamite had to care for her siblings.

Ms. Dynamite had to grow up fast, which is a common theme in her music. Her first step into the music industry was working for a pirate radio station as a presenter. From there, producers and insiders discovered her talents.

When she was only 21, her album A Little Deeper won the prestigious Mercury Prize for best album. She recorded part of the album in Jamaica, and Caribbean influences are rife throughout her music. 

30. Casisdead

Casisdead is both a record producer and a rap artist. His main focus is developing new sounds and beats for other rappers, but his unique sound and recording style allowed him to enter the rap scene for himself.

He started producing music in 2005 under a different name but soon had to give up due to a lack of success. In 2012, he decided to take another stab at the industry. From then on, he’s only ever appeared public in a mask to help shield his identity.

Casisdead mainly focuses on grime rap, but he’s also interested in dance music and cloud rap. Cloud rap has a lighter sound than grime, and the genre usually incorporates synthesizers for an uncommon sound combination.

31. Unknown T

Unknown T is one of the youngest rappers in the UK rap scene at only 23. His first-ever single, Homerton B, reached number 48 on the UK charts in 2018. That single was released without a record label, but the attention it received would get him signed almost immediately. 

Unknown was born in London to parents who emigrated to the UK from Uganda. By 2019, his debut single was certified silver in the UK and magazines like Complex rated it one of the best singles of 2018.

Unknown’s style is hard to nail down, but he describes it as a mixture of drill and modern hip-hop. It involves layering rapid-fire vocals over raw, high-energy beats. Unknown’s deep vocal range and speed allow him to deliver a classic drill sound.

32. Lancey Foux

Lancey Foux is an up-and-coming artist in the UK rap scene. His style is unlike anybody else currently rapping in the UK. He uses experimental beats and vocal distortions to create songs that can’t be pigeon-toed into a single genre.

Foux started his career on Youtube. There, he rapped freestyle vocals over established beats. Once his videos drew enough attention, he released a full-length studio album, Pink, in 2015. Since then, he’s released six more studio albums.

Top UK Rappers Ever, Final Thoughts

So, what do you think of the best UK rappers? The UK is a diverse country with numerous inspirations for artists to adapt and make their own. The result is a hugely diverse mix of rap genres and sounds.

The best UK rappers hail from across the country and all have unique backgrounds. These elements make it easy to find a new artist to love. So, which one of these British rappers is your favorite?