From the sound system scene in the ’80s to the rise of UK Drill in the ’10s UK rap and have had a long journey. Here is a brief, but in-depth guide. 

It’s a complicated affair attempting to record the history of UK rap and hip-hop. Artists from outside of London have historically struggled to gain a foothold in music media. It reflects the wider attitude held towards regions of the UK beyond the Southeast. With the majority of Britain’s Black working-class residing in the North and Midlands, many have been left out of important conversations regarding rap in the UK. Also, rap’s history within the UK has never quite made it to the mainstream until very recently, save for a handful of artists over the years such as Roots Manuva, Rodney P, Skepta, and Giggs.

Throughout its history, UK rap has always cross-pollinated with other sounds such as garage, funky house, grime, and — more recently — afrobeats, trap, and drill. It’s reflective of the nature of Black British-led sounds that dates back to when dancehall became heavily influenced by electronic sounds in the 1980s. It was never safe to label garage or grime as rap due to the heavy influence the traditions of toasting have had on both genres. Reggae is the tree from which hip-hop and grime both emerged as Sweetie Irie once said. Through the art of toasting, it’s more accurate to say that both genres exist as genealogical cousins.

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