Rap music is quickly becoming a global phenomenon. Nowadays, rappers from all over the world are coming together to collaborate in various ways. The genre is constantly changing, evolving, and shifting to the next big thing, lyrical or artistic. The British have adopted rap with open arms, and now it seems like someone around every corner is teaching you about their favorite rapper or explaining why they view them as ‘the greatest ever. In light of this, we provide the Top 20 Famous British Rappers of all time.
1. Central Cee
Central Cee was born in 1998. He is a British rapper and songwriter from Shepherd’s Bush, London. Central Cee’s voice is unlike any other. His songs’ narratives present the British Jamaican milieu in a way that most listeners are unaware of. With many videos amassing millions of views on YouTube and four studio albums to his credit, Central Cee is undoubtedly the most influential and significant rapper Britain has ever produced.
2. Dave
David Orobosa Omoregie was born in 1998, also known as Santan Dave or just Dave. He is a British rapper, musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor. His debut album, No More Dreamz (2019), was released on Jul 20, 2019, and flirts with a more contemporary pop sound than his previous work. He also writes and produces music for other artists.
3. Stormzy
Michael Ebenezer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr. was born in 1993, known professionally as Stormzy. He is a British rapper, singer, and songwriter. Often referred to as ‘the mouth of the Midlands’, Stormzy’s freestyling prowess soon caught the attention of several record labels, and soon released his debut E.P. Wicked Skengman in March 2014. The E.P. was an instant hit, with its lead single ‘Know Me From’ featuring on BBC Radio 1Xtra playlists.
4. Aitch
Harrison James Armstrong was born in 1999, known professionally as Aitch. He is a British rapper from Manchester. Aitch is a young British rapper who has been involved in a range of music projects and musical collaborations, releasing two mixtapes under the name of Aitch. He also has the title “Host of FWD’s Show with him and Teddy. He recently appeared on both the second and third series of The Rap Show on Channel 4.
5. Skepta
Joseph Olaitan Adenuga Jr. was born in 1982, known professionally as Skepta. He is a British-Nigerian grime MC, rapper, and record producer. In 2017 he won the Mercury Prize for his album ‘Konnichiwa’. He has been described as “one of grime’s biggest stars”.
6. Tion Wayne
Tion Wayne Bruce, often known professionally as Tion Wayne, is a British rapper from Croydon, London. He is most known for his song “You Don’t Know,” featuring Stormzy and produced by Dave. He is one of the pair of producers Cookin’ On 9’s with his cousin and longtime collaborator Sam X.
7. Russ Millions
Shylo Batchelor Ashby Milwood was born in 1996, known professionally as Russ Millions (formerly Russ, Russ Splash, or RussMB), and is a British rapper. The fact that he was a member of the rap group, The Young Disciples, alongside fellow MC Harry Rocks. Russ also has a solo mixtape called “Bass Down Low,” which features 3Pac, Wizkid, and Tinie Tempah.
8. AJ Tracey
Ché Wolton Grant was born in 1994, known professionally as AJ Tracey, known professionally as AJ Tracey. He is from Ladbroke Grove, West London. Tracey rose to popularity in 2016, listed by The Guardian in a list of “best new acts to catch at festivals in 2016”. Tracey’s first mainstream E.P., Secure the Bag! (2017) entered the U.K. Albums Chart at number thirteen
9. ArrDee
ArrDee, known professionally as ArrDee or Armz, was born in 2002 and is a British rapper from Brighton, England. His debut mixtape, Pier Pressure, was released on Mar 18, 2022, after two years of inactivity. ArrDee is affiliated with the BPM (British People Music) Movement and is an advocate of Grime music.
10. Bugzy Malone
Aaron Davis was born in 1990, better known by his stage name Bugzy Malone, and is a British rapper and actor from Manchester, England. After releasing his debut single “Hear Nothing, See Nothing, Say Nothing” and featuring on the hit track “One Take” by Wretch 32, Bugzy quickly built a solid underground following.
11. Headie One
Irving Ampofo Adjei was born in 1994, known professionally as Headie One (formerly Headz). He is a British rapper and singer from East London. He rose to infamy in 2018 with his music video for “Throw Your Hands Up (Feat. Stormzy)”, which went viral on social media and was remixed by several high-profile artists, including Stormzy himself.
12. Digga D
Rhys Angelo Emile Herbert was born in 2000, known professionally as Digga D, and is a British rapper from Croydon, south London. He is best known for his track “Doing Me,” featuring Aitch and Sam X, which peaked at number 8 on the U.K. Singles Chart in 2018.
13. Fredo
Marvin William Bailey was born in 1994, known professionally as Fredo, and is a British rapper and singer from Queen’s Park, London. His debut single, “On My Mums Block,” was released in May 2018 and gained millions of streams on YouTube. In June 2018, he released his second single, “I’m Good”, which features Skepta and Wiley. In late June, he featured in the song ‘Love Is Not A Game’ by Scottish musician Blair Douglas.
14. Dutchavelli
Stephan Fabulous Allen was born in 1993, better known by his stage name Dutchavelli. He is a British rapper from South London. Top lyricists in the entire globe, the U.K., and comparisons have been drawn with M.I. Abaga, Jay-Z, and Rick Ross.
15. S.L.
Harlee Bashir Laguda Milne was born in 2001, known professionally as S.L., and is a British rapper and producer from London. BBC Radio has aired several of his tunes 1Xtra, worldwide, and his music has reached over 50 million views on YouTube. S.L. ‘s song “Take My Time” was featured on the hit T.V. show The Flash soundtrack. S.L. has D.J.’d at some of the biggest music festivals in Europe, including Creamfields, Awakenings Festival, and Secret Solstice Festival.
16. Lady Leshurr
Melisha Katrina O’Garro BEM was born in 1987, known professionally as Lady Leshurr. She is a British rapper, singer, songwriter, and producer. She catfished as Big Narstie and competed on Channel 4’s The Celebrity Circle in 2021, winning for Stand Up to Cancer. Additionally, she participated in Dancing on Ice, advancing to the semifinals in the thirteenth season.
17. Unknown T
Daniel Lena was born in 1999, known professionally as Unknown T, and is a British rapper and singer from Dagenham, London. AHis debut single, “Homerton B”, peaked at number 48 on the U.K. Singles Chart in October 2018. Unknown T’s first mixtape, Rise Above Hate, was released in 2020 and peaked at 14 on the U.K. Albums Chart. In 2021, Unknown T released the single “WW2”.
18. Giggs
Nathaniel Thompson was born in 1981, better known professionally as Giggs, is a British rapper and songwriter from Peckham, London, UK. He belongs to the British hipster hop collective The Unruly mob, including Mr. Eazi, AJ Tracey, and J2K.
19. M1llionz
Miguel Rahiece Cunningham (born Feb 6, 1997), M1llionz, a rapper from Birmingham, West Midlands, is most recognized for his work. 2020 saw the release of “B1llionz,” his first song to rank in the top 40 U.K. His “North-West” single, published at the end of 2019, was his breakout song. He also had an impact with his drill anthem “Y Pree” in 2020
20. Little Simz
Simbiatu “Simbi” Abisola Abiola Ajikawo was born in 1994), better known by her stage name Little Simz; she is a British rapper, singer, and actress from Camden, London. Her debut album, A Curious Tale of Trials + Persons, was released in January 2021 to widespread critical acclaim, and her second studio album, GRAY Area, was released in January 2022 on her label, Simz music.