UK Rap has seen a rise in very talented and creative artists looking to dominate the airwaves. Particularly in 2021, Drill music has been seen as one of the UK’s most vibrant homegrown music scene in years, despite bans from the Metropolitan police and criticism that it fuels gang violence. On this list there are a quite a few Drill rappers but we’ve aimed to give you some of the best UK rappers on the rise in 2021. Most notably, social media platforms like TikTok have played a crucial role in pushing this high-octane music to a wider audience.
1. Central Cee
Central Cee is a British rapper from Shepherd’s Bush, London. There is a demeanour of calm from the artist, not yet allowing himself to think about the charts. His breakout mixtape Wild West has made him an artist to watch out for this year, featuring gliding 808 basslines, stuttering hats, and slick, cascading flows that add polish to Cee’s gritty street-level narration. He leans towards production that accentuates his voice, which often feels like a melting pot of all the sounds he’s grown up listening to. Part of the mixtape is the hit single “6 of 6” which is rising up through the charts. Nonetheless he’s most known for his singles “Loading” and “Day in the Life“, which combined have over 50 million views on YouTube. Central’s always got the coldest verses, but I don’t think people understand lyrically how good he is.
2. Digga D
Barely 17 at the time, Digga D‘s confidence on the mic was something you’d expect from somebody twice his age – with the rhymes to boot – showing his star potential early on. But his hard-hitting lyrics based around violence saw him get in trouble with the law. After a brief stint in prison. a judge issued an order banning him from releasing tracks that describe gang-related violence. He must notify the police within 24 hours of releasing new music, and provide them with the lyrics. If a court finds that his words incite violence, he can be sent back to prison; parole conditions also limit what he can say publicly about his past. Now in 2021, his more aware of what he raps about, but fans won’t be disappointed as he continues to drop bangers like “Bluuwuu” and “Toxic“.
3. Dave
London-based rapper Dave dropped two surprise tracks “Titanium” and “Mercury” this year, proving that he’s only getting better in his still very young career. It comes after after a lengthy period spent working on collaborations with the likes of Fredo, Giggs and Ghetts. Not long before, he released his debut album Psychodrama, a multilayered masterpiece and instant classic that saw 11 tracks and a few assists from J Hus, Burna Boy, and Ruelle. The project also earned Dave both a number one on the UK Albums chart and a well-deserved Gold certification. No one is holding his ‘long vacation’ against him, but now it’s cool to hear him dedicate an entire song to his reclaiming of the rap throne.
4. Unknown T
Unknown T is is at the forefront of a younger generation in UK rap, who can bounce effortlessly between styles. He doesn’t just rap but he fully glides on every beat he jumps on, and it always sounds so smooth. Production chops, flow and cadence stay refreshing. His debut single, “Homerton B“, brought him to fame and peaked at number 48 on the UK Singles Chart in October 2018. He even performed the track at London’s 20,000-capacity O2 Arena during a guest appearance at a Drake concert. A run-in with the law saw Unknown T get charged with murder, but was later cleared of the allegations which resulted in a victim getting knifed at a New Year’s Eve party on Jan 1 2018. Since then he has released more bangers. In 2021, he’s dropped “WW2”, another hit single that has such a unique and catchy flow.
5. Tion Wayne
Tion Wayne, is a British rapper, songwriter and DJ from Edmonton, North London. He appeared on three top-10 singles on UK Singles Chart as a guest – NSG’s “Options”, “Keisha & Becky” with Russ Millions and KSI’s track “Houdini” – before getting his first top 10 hit as the lead artist with “I Dunno” featuring Dutchavelli and Stormzy, which peaked at number 7, and having his first number 1 with “Body” alongside Russ Millions. Tion Wayne had a run-in with the law when in 2017, he was involved in a brawl outside a nightclub in Clifton, Bristol where he was among the performers who had been DJing at the venue. The brawl involved more than 100 people which saw Tion Wayne jailed for 16 months. He’s now signed to Stormzy’s label, Atlantic.
6. Jay1
Jay1 is a British rapper and songwriter who is from Coventry. His style is a laid-back flow but you can feel his intense energy on the mic. He started taking music seriously in 2016 and in 2019 he became known for his hit single “Your Mrs“.The song cracked the UK top 20 charts and had a remix by Lady Leshurr. He released his debut EP titled One Wave on 4 July 2019, and in 2021 he released the follow-up EP One Wave 2. It features the hit singles “Patiently” and “GWOP“. Here, he yet displays his hit-making abilities with his chill flow. Alongside the EP is a mini documentary: Amazon +44 Presents: JAY1. The documentary presents an intimate look in at his exciting come up, particularly how moving to Coventry from North London at 17 has shaped him and his ambitions. With dreams of being “the main guy in Coventry” it’s safe to say the rapper is well on his way.
7. FREDO
Fredo, is a British rapper, singer and songwriter from Mozart Estate, Queen’s Park, West London. With a plethora of hits under his belt such as the chart-topping hit “Funky Friday” and the smooth sailing “Ready” record with Summer Walker, it’s clear that the rapper has dominated the music game and is ready to conquer another industry. Fredo never disappoints when it comes to dropping hot tunes. Now he’s released “Meant To Be” together with Central Cee. They are featured under Stay Flee Get Lizzy, the artist project of Dion ‘Sincere’ Lizzy, a multi-faceted talent who holds down roles as a label owner, artist manager, and music industry figure. And we must admit, this West London song collab is what everybody had been waiting for.
8. Russ Millions
In December 2018, Russ Millions released his single “Gun Lean” which peaked at No 9 on the UK Singles Chart. This was followed up with his next single “Keisha & Becky” which chart No. 7. This ultimately made him break another record for being the first & only drill artist to break top in the UK charts. In 2021, Russ Millions created another slice of chart history with “Body” featuring Tion Wayne. The hit single became the first drill song to claim the UK No 1 spot.
9. SL
Last year, SL teamed up with American producer Kenny Beats for the EP Selhurst SE25, which saw four cuts and a single assist from Coventry star Pa Salieu. Between the EP and his Different Dude project, it’d be difficult for South London rapper SL to top last year’s list of achievements. Still, it looks like he’s going to have a crack anyway because he’s back with M1llionz for his first release of the year. SL and M1llionz joined forces for the Lucas Dante and Yng Cld-produced cut “Versus,” a proper title for a track that sees the duo going back and forth with some of their hardest bars.
10. M1LLIONZ
“BADNIS” is North West Birmingham Drill rapper M1llionz’s first single in 2021, and follows a very successful 2020. After dropping a batch of impressive singles over the past year, including “Y PREE”, “Lagga” and “B1llionz”, M1llionz is back with a brand new single. M1llionz is without a doubt one of the hottest drill artists — doesn’t matter which — in the game right now, a somewhat crazy concept given that he doesn’t have as much music out as many of his peers. He’s truly a breath of fresh air in the UK scene and he’s not like anyone out there. Adding to the island flair, M1llionz and director Chauffer headed to Jamaica to shoot the accompanying visual, which shows the artist making moves in various areas like Clarendon’s Summerfield and West Kingston’s Seaview Gardens neighborhoods.