Which UK rappers and grime MCs are going to dominate 2009? “How can you predict such a thing?” You may be wondering, but as the creator of the UK’s only web-based urban music video download service, I’ll give you the inside scoop!
British hip-hop and grime artists dominate the UK urban music scene, and MC’s such as Dizzee Rascal, Wiley and Tinchy Stryder have held the number 1, 2 and 3 spots on the UK national charts respectively, making them family names.
In my previous article “How did urban music get so big in the UK?” I mentioned quite a few hip-hop and grime artists who have really kickstarted the UK urban music scene. Here are 10 of the most influential artists to watch out for and making waves throughout 2009:
1. Chipmunk
With his single “Chip Diddy Chip” making A-list airplay charts on major radio stations like BBC Radio 1 and KISS FM, Chipmunk is now in the middle of a record label bidding war. Look out for his “I Am Chipmunk” album this year.
2. Tinchy Stryder
After recently signing a record deal with Universal, Tinchy Stryder peaked at number 3 in the UK charts with his single “Take Me Back”, which features r&b singer Taio Cruz. The single has received great support from major radio stations and TV music channels.
3. Cheeky
With 2008 hits like “Black Boys” and the lead single from the movie soundtrack “Kidulthood to Adulthood,” Bashy has caught the eye of many, including Prime Minister Gordon Brown, having recently spent time working on a positive project at 10 Downing Street with the Prime Minister. He’ll be on the lookout for his “Catch Me If You Can” album this year.
4.wiley
With 2 hit singles in 2008, one of them (Wearing my Rolex) peaked at #2 on the UK charts. The self-proclaimed “King of Grime” has made the decision to release more commercially-acceptable music this year, in addition to releasing his highly anticipated “Race Against Time” album. Be on the lookout for Wiley’s “She She Glows” music video, which features fellow grime mc Kano and Ghetts.
5. Ghettos
Recently signing a single deal for “Sing For Me”, this is Ghett’s first commercial release, as well as his first single using his new name, which was previously “Ghetto”.
6. rocking
After winning “Best UK Hip-Hop Act” at the 2006 BET Awards, following the release of his album “The Signature LP” in 2008, Sway has signed a US record deal with the record label “Kon Live” by Akon and released the “Silver and Gold”, which features Akon.
7.N-Dubz
This hip-hop/r&b trio (Tulisa, Dappy & Fazer) have recently gone platinum in the UK with their album “Uncle B”. With recent hits like “Papa” and “Strong Again” gaining widespread support from major radio stations, you can expect more hits from consistently strong N-Dubz in 2009.
8.giggs
Since launching the biggest freestyle in UK hip-hop history, Peckham rapper Giggs has proven that his song “Talking the Hardest” was big enough to launch an album on the back; and his album “Walk in the Park” sold out quickly in its first week of release nationwide. Shortly after, Giggs won “Best UK Hip-Hop Artist” at the 2006 BET Music Halls in Atlanta. He recently teamed up with one of the UK’s most successful R&B artists of all time, Shola Ama, and they’re expecting big things from Giggs in 2009.
9. Skepta
After touring the UK and Europe with JME and Wiley, and then releasing “Rolex Sweep” in 2008, the “Boy Better Know” frontman kicked off 2009 by releasing the electronic hit “Sunglasses at Night.” Skepta is now releasing house and electronic music commercially instead of grime, so a chart topper may be on the radar.
10. Wretched 32
As a quarter of “The Movement” (Wretch 32, Ghetts, Scorcher, Mercston), Wretch 32 closed out a very successful 2008 by releasing their highly anticipated album “Wretchrospective” and two music videos, “Be Cool” and “In a Di Ghetto.” “. .”
