5 UK Rappers To Watch In 2018
UK Rap is without a doubt in the best place it has ever been. Heavyweights like Drake and Kanye have taken notice in recent years, followed by other artists like Dave East and Tory Lanez, and that’s without mentioning the success it’s only just beginning to have on our own shores with projects charting, and mainstream award ceremonies like the Brits and MOBOS acknowledging the phenomenal talent working away on the underground level.
There’s a lot going on, and as more and more artists start dropping music at an impossible rate, it’s easy to get lost or miss some of the magic. Luckily, I’ve put together a list of five rappers that I think should be on your radar and are set to have a massive 2018, so sit back, put your headphones on, and thank me later.
JEVON (@jevon_official)
Whether he’s producing, rapping, putting together dope video concepts or getting high with Kendall Jenner (all of which he does to a high standard, get it?), Jevon has consistently marked himself out as one of the best the UK has to offer. Part of the New Gen collective, he’s been behind some of your favourite songs, but don’t get it twisted, he can rival any rapper on the microphone. A gifted lyricist, and song craftsman who manages to mix humour, wordplay and aggression into his bars, he’s just missing one standout hit, but with the promise of new music on the way, 2018 could be the year UK rap fans finally stop sleeping on the kid.
KEYS (@TheRealistKeys)
It’s just a part of the new wave of rap to mix bars with melodies but when it comes to UK rappers, Keys is one of the best to do it. Unapologetically himself, he tells street tales but not in the usual over the top, arrogant way, but with more emotion and authenticity that makes his stories believable. Couple that with his well shot videos, and the only thing missing with him is consistency, but again, with the promise of new music on the way, the only person standing in his way to the top is himself.
MYERS (@Myers1Up)
Hailing from Newham, I don’t know much about Myers except that is Bl@ckbox freestyle is widely seen as a classic, and he has bars for days. While a lot of UK rap has leaned to melody in one form or another (think Afro-Swing), Myers brings back the old school era of rap that was all about the bars, and he does it very well. The early 2010’s were filled with those kind of storytelling rappers such as English Frank and Jaja Soze but in recent times they’ve become a bit of a dying breed outside of the usual candidates like Potter Payper and Youngs Teflon. Myers is here to change that.
ONE ACEN (@oneacen)
One Acen hasn’t had the smoothest start to his music career, but nobody became great without overcoming adversity and he is definitely on track to becoming a great. His songs have that timeless feel, and adept at both singing and rapping, with infectious hooks he had a massive year last year with hits such as “Verified” and “Unsigned” which you must have heard. Having recently linked up with WSTRN on yet another banger, this could be the year he makes the leap to the next level.
JUST BANCO (@JustBanco)
When you think of Manchester artists you could be forgiven for thinking about IAMDDB or Bugzy Malone, but if you want to stay ahead of the pack, Just Banco is next up. With his trap-leaning, auto-tuned hooks ready made to light up the club, his ‘trapenese’ style videos that put him in his own lane, as well as co-sign from Stormzy, Just Banco has everything he needs to make waves this year.