UK Hip Hop Artists To Watch In 2023
UK Hip Hop is a genre that has made a big resurgence over the past couple of years. As times get tougher in both a spiritual and financial sense, more people are starting to listen to the conscious side of Hip Hop/Rap. I always say “when times get tougher, music gets better” and we are currently witnessing this right now!
There were some top UK Hip Hop releases in 2022 from the likes of Little Simz, Coops, Verbz & Mr Slipz, Verb T, and Loyle Carner so we’re super excited about what’s to come in 2023. We couldn’t include every great UK Hip Hop artist in this article as it would go on forever, so we have put together a list of artists of all different calibres and styles in order to help you discover some new music! Let’s get into this:
1. Barney Artist
It’s safe to say that Barney Artist has been releasing quality top-tier music for many years now, but since his recent link-up with Mr Jukes, the London rapper has really taken his craft to the next level. The pair seem to have a special synergy and in my opinion, they released two of the best UK Hip Hop EPs over the past couple of years - ‘The Locket’ and ‘Eternal’, therefore we’re very excited to see what’s next on the menu for Barney Artist; will it be a collaboration with Mr Jukes or a solo project?… Either way, we’re looking forward to it!
2. Cam Thomas
Milton-Keynes emcee Cam Thomas has really taken his craft to the next level over the past year or two! His approach to lyricism and delivery is unlike anything else we’ve heard in UK Hip Hop and you can you could really hear the hunger in his voice and bars on his recent release “Underrated”. We believe that 2023 is going to be a huge year for Cam Thomas and his label - Five Ent.
3. Deyah
Cardiff-based rapper Deyah is most definitely a force to be reckoned with. Her latest mixtape Black Glamour was a great debut project, and Deyah just seems to be an artist who is growing from strength to strength in both a lyrical and artistic sense. If Deyah continues on her current trajectory, 2023 will be a crucial year for the lyrically gifted MC.
4. Eerf Evil
One thing is guaranteed in this world; South-London-based emcee Eerf Evil will always come through with heat on the mic. His political bars always blow me away and you are always guaranteed to learn something new about UK culture and streetlife after listening to an Eerf Evil song. The talented south-based rapper didn’t release a full project in 2022 but all of his features and collaboration were a sight to behold so we’re excited about his next movements!
5. Emil James
Emil James is a UK Hip Hop rapper we recently stumbled across on a music hunt, but ever since discovering his music he’s been on repeat! He draws influences from an array of artists and genres, resulting in a fresh sound that draws influences hip hop, trip hop and indie-rock music. All of the rising rapper’s releases in 2022 were top quality, so we’re very excited to see how he progresses in 2023!
6. ENNY
The South London rapper initially gained mainstream success with the remix of her single "Peng Black Girls” which was culturally a very important and relevant song. Since this breakthrough ENNY has released a handful of top-tier singles along with an impressive EP ‘Under Twenty-Five’. The talented wordsmith is continuing to progress and experiment as an artist, and we predict ENNY is going to be a force to be reckoned with in 2023.
7. Fliptrix
The re-emergence of High Focus Head Honcho Fliptrix has been a sight to behold! All of his releases towards the end of 2022 from “Mantra No.9” to “Eden” were next level, and we’re very excited for his new album to drop early this year (2023). If there is one artist on this list who has witnessed every era of the UK Hip Hop scene it’s this man, and it’s even more impressive that he’s still adapting to the times and releasing music of the highest order.
8. Isatta Sheriff
South London-based wordsmith Isatta Sheriff is an incredibly talented artist who has been on our radar ever since we discovered “Wonderful” a few years back. We’ve been following her movements closely since 2020 and it’s clear to see that Isatta’s music only seems to be improving with time and knowledge. If you’re a fan of UK Hip Hop be sure to check out her recent collaborative EP ‘Eat The Kiwi Skin’ with Koralle - it’s just proof that Isatta Sheriff is definitely one to watch in 2023!
9. Kofi Stone
Next up on the list is the one and only Kofi Stone. Since his iconic debut album ‘Nobody Cares Till Everybody Does’, the Birmingham-based rapper has been taking UK Hip Hop by storm collaborating with some of the finest artists in the UK like Sam Wills, Barney Artist, Eva Lazarus, Coops and Blue Lab Beats to name a few… Kofi also blessed us with breathtaking singles like “I Wish” / “On The 1st Day” and “Broken Chandeliers” back in 2021 so we’re incredibly excited to see what he blesses the world with throughout 2023 and beyond.
10. Lex Amor
North London Rapper Lex Amor has been killing the game ever since she burst onto the scene with “Pink” back in 2017. Her laidback approach is unique and unlike any other in the UK Hip Hop scene. Sadly, Lex did not end up releasing a full project in 2022, however, all of her features were amazing so we’re really excited to see her movements heading into the new year.
11. Leo Miyagee
Belfast-based rapper Leo Miyagee is another artist who has been releasing heat on the microphone under the radar for a few years now. His latest project ‘Act III’ is nothing short of great, and the rising rapper has been putting in work playing numerous shows around the UK and collaborating with talented artists such as cbakl, GavinDaVinci and Dior Norf! So, what’s in store in 2023 for Leo Miyagee?! Only time will tell…
12. Louis VI
Louis VI is an artist who always pushes the boundaries and tries new sounds and styles with his music. His raw and authentic Jazz-Hip Hop crossover is unique and his latest project ‘Ecocide EP’ was an absolute masterpiece. His new album ‘EARTHLING’ is due to drop in 2023, so we’re super excited about this one!
13. Noel IS
Previously known as Teknical Development.IS, Noel IS is a unique emcee on the microphone who has been releasing top music for many years now. All of his collaborations with beatsmith Figub. Brazlevic are top quality and his penmanship is next to none. 2023 is going to be an exciting year for Noel.IS and we’re looking forward to what he releases under his new alias.
14. TrueMendous
The Birmingham-based talented wordsmith is the real deal with her signature aesthetic, potent flow, and intelligent wordplay. She has an expansive catalogue of top-tier music and TrueMendous’ previous album release, ‘Great. On Purpose' was a fine ‘taster of what’s to come for the gifted Birmingham-based rapper heading into 2023! If you haven’t already get her on your music on your playlists as soon as possible!
15. Wish Master
Bristol-based lyricist Wish Master has been killing the game for years now. His latest 2 projects ‘Cold Harbour Tales’ & ‘FIRST NATURE’ were sonically and lyrically top quality and in my opinion, they failed to get the recognition they deserve. If you’re into that old-school boom-bap Hip Hop sound and you’re looking for a new UK emcee to feed your desires check Wish Master out now!
16. Verbz
Verbz is an artist who has been killing the game for well over 5 years now! His penmanship and consistency is next to none, and all of his collaborations with producer extraordinaire Mr Slipz are breathtaking. If there is a UK Hip Hop artist you can rely on to release great music consistently when your playlists are drying up look no further than south London emcee Verbz! The world is this man’s oyster!
Be sure to check out and follow our ‘UK Hip Hop Artists To Watch In 2023’ playlist that’s embedded into this article below:
Thank you for reading this article! If you enjoyed the content be sure to bookmark the website, and follow us on Instagram & our other socials to stay up-to-date with all of our latest content. Be sure to follow our Spotify and Soundcloud for fresh playlists and new music releases:
vibe rating ~ Instagram | Spotify | Soundcloud | TikTok