After getting such a great response from our Top 5: UK Hip-Hop Newcomers article back in April, we’ve finally got round to collating another list of UK’s top urban artists. September and October saw some ridiculously talented MCs releasing incredibly unique music that we had to share with everyone. Check it out below:
5. Fliptrix – The Essence
Taken from his third album Third Eye of the Storm, C.E.O of High Focus Records Fliptrix flows out multi-syllabic verses over an atmospheric Future-Garage beat produced by Kontigo. We love the mixing of the two genres, lets hope there’s more collab’ing from these guys in the future:
4. K-Nite 13 – Sign of the Times (feat. Jaunty)
Off his second release According to Plan, K-Nite 13 released this video for the track Sign of the Times. Mindful lyrics and a powerful message makes this a solid contribution to UK Hip-Hop:
3. Barney Artist – Mystery
East London’s Barney Artist is such an exciting talent for 2012/2013. In the same vain as A Yellow Man and Ghostpoet, the rapper has serious alt-commerical promise whilst still retaining deep lyricism: “Yeah they call me Barney, haters don’t like us and try and mark us like Mugabe“. For his forthcoming EP #BAEP, Barney has put out accompanying videos for each single release. Mystery is his latest (and in our opinion, his best so far!):
2. Frankie Stew & Harvey Gunn – 1994
Two 17-year-old Brighton kids are redefining the whole movement in one stroke, giving UK Hip-Hop a youthful facelift with their enthusiasm for experimentation. The harmony between Stew’s honest words and unique flow, and Harvey Gunn’s soulful Electronic beats (think J Dilla meets Mount Kimbie) makes this duet a winning combination. The track is off their debut album Paid To Lst£n, released today for free:
1. George the Poet – Pink Matter
The unbelievable flair and creativity of North London lyricist George the Poet is quickly starting to take root worldwide. The Cambridge University student has been on such a mad adventure since we filmed a session with him last year, nabbing face-time on BBC and Channel 4, featuring on a video with Emeli Sande, Tinie Tempah and Professor Green, plus collab’ing with The Herbaliser. This remix of Frank Ocean’s Pink Matter just proves his worth:
