UK Drill Artists (Besides Skepta) That You Should Get to Know
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Drake recently shone a light on UK Drill with his series “Top Boy”, but a lot of people in North America are still missing out on UK Drill, a hard-hitting sub-genre of rap that follows its own beat.
Drill is a sub-genre of hip hop and trap (preceded by grime) that actually came out of Chicago’s South Side around 2010. Drill is signified by gritty, violent lyrics versus the cleaner appeal of mainstream, radio-friendly hip hop. This then gave birth to UK drill, which came out of London and which the Brixton district was particularly famous for. By the mid-2010s, it skyrocketed in popularity, shaping European and NY Drill with artists such as the late Pop Smoke.
Today, UK Drill has expanded and flourished within the drill scene, with themes of loyalty, lives lost and stolen, and things being bought or sold. Lyrics, flow, and cadence of these UK artists indicate a fiery hunger that we sometimes miss from their lazier mumble-rap US counterparts. Here are drill rappers in the United Kingdom (besides household names Skepta and Dizzee Rascal) that are taking over the scene.
Headie One
Often referred to as the King of Drill, Headie One has featured with Drake and his album debut Edna came out at #1 on the UK charts. He has that “it” quality on every feature, often stealing the spotlight from the main artist. Between impeccable storytelling and uncanny punchlines, it’s clear that this star from North London is only just getting started.
Ivorian Doll
If Headie One is the King of Drill, then Ivorian is his queen. Her freestyles and track albums are equally hard-hitting, but she never forgets to get a little cheeky with it. She’s dedicated and gritty, but also not afraid to flaunt her promiscuity and admire herself while giving a wave to the haters.
Shaybo
Shaybo has been in the game for the longest out of most female drill rappers in the UK. And even though she’s not new to the limelight, people are finally starting to appreciate her for her raw talent, effortless swagger, and refusal to sugarcoat things. She’s head to head with the top male rappers in the game, and we can’t think of a better way to break up that boys club.
Abra Cadabra
Abra Cadabra first came on the map after UK rap duo Krept and Konan remixed one of his tracks, “Robbery”. He ended up winning MOBO award in 2016 for the song. People often draw comparisons between him and Pop Smoke due to their voices, but Abra Cadabra’s experimentation with flow and melody sets him apart from the crowd. Everything he delivers is relentless (see: “On Deck”) and impossible not to nod along to.
Dutchavelli
Dutchavelli became a staple at DCW when he featured on “I Dunno” with Stormzy and
Tion Wayne. For a while, Drake has been his hype-man by reposting various Dutchavelli clips - not a bad endorsement. Fun fact: his biological sis is Stefflon Don. His bars are endless and never stuffed up with filler content. Other must-hear tracks include “Never Really Mine” and his 2020 album, “Dutch From The 5th”
TeeZandos
TeeZandos is trending hard right now, and while many drill rappers work within a certain format, teenaged Tee isn’t afraid to color outside the lines. An IG freestyle is what made her go viral, but that was just the start for this energetic and unexpected rapper who isn’t afraid to stand out. She puts it best herself on her breakout track “Need Focus:” “F*ck being normal, I want to be the oddest one.”