It’s time to spin the records of our hip-hop and rap recommendations. These songs are at the cutting-edge of the genre from some of the globe’s best underground acts, so pay attention kids, you’re about to learn something.
Our Hip-Hop Recs playlist is back and better than ever thanks to tunes like RayStylie’s ‘Collected’, a striking fusion of grit and grace, showcasing the UK rapper’s gift for pairing raw lyricism with soulful depth. Built on introspection and spiritual reflection, the track balances sharp-edged verses with moments of vulnerability, offering listeners both a mirror and a guide. Influenced by gospel roots and grime greats like Kano and Ghetts, his deliver cuts through with urgency while retaining melodic sensitivity. Self-produced and wholly authentic, ‘Collected’ embodies RayStylie’s honest, layered, and purposeful approach. As a statement of growth and self-worth – this one certifies him as one of rap’s most compelling new voices.
Follow RayStylie on Instagram.
Kojey Radical returns with ‘Expensive’, a sharp, groove-laden single featuring Montreal trio Planet Giza. Produced by Swindle, the track rides a futuristic, stripped-back beat where every detail feels purposeful—spacey textures, crisp percussion, and a hook that lingers well after the first spin. Kojey balances swagger with substance, delivering lines like “no price on life and time” with both urgency and charm. Planet Giza’s smooth contributions add warmth, elevating the track into something both club-ready and reflective. Bold, stylish, and uncompromising, ‘Expensive’ reinforces Kojey’s status as one of UK rap’s most vital voices while offering a glimpse of what’s to come on Don’t Look Down.
Follow Kojey Radical on Instagram.
Follow Planet Giza on Instagram.
‘Goodnight’ is the closing track from smooth fm, the collaborative album from South East London rapper Stacy NKR and producer oakland. Where earlier cuts wrestle with toxicity and temptation, this track leans into space and restraint, showcasing oakland’s lush, textural production. It’s both hypnotic and cinematic with Stacy’s delivery slicing through with precision; her bars raw yet reflective, adding emotional weight without over-saturation. The result is a song that feels both intimate and expansive, balancing late-night vulnerability with sharp-edged clarity. ‘Goodnight’ perfectly summaries the duo’s avant-garde approach to UK rap while hinting at much more to come.
Follow oakland on Instagram.
Follow Stacy NKR on Instagram.
As a blog that has been following Christopha’s 26 Miles and Running series, it’s incredible to see the consistent quality of his releases and latest installment ‘Number Crunch’ is another display of his unwavering commitment and lyrical prowess. The chilled 140bpm production, with its warm jazz chords and mellow keys, provides the perfect canvas for Christopha’s razor-sharp delivery. The second verse, where he cleverly weaves in bars about his journey while counting up to 26, is a standout moment that affirms his status as a thoughtful and forward-thinking voice in UK hip-hop.
Follow Christopha on Instagram.
Marking the end of summer with raw intensity, ‘Belgrade’ is a jagged, high-octane statement from Peaky Saku. Chaotic pianos clash against distorted 808s and sharp, Timbaland-esque percussion, creating a backdrop that feels both abrasive and magnetic. Peaky thrives in this chaos, weaving uncompromising truths with cheeky bravado, his delivery equal parts harsh and playful. The track captures his signature fusion of grime grit, punk urgency, and alternative hip-hop experimentation. It’s confrontational yet cathartic, a sonic reflection of Peaky’s unfiltered worldview. With ‘Belgrade’, he reinforces his position as one of UK rap’s most distinctive voices.
Follow Peaky Saku on Instagram.
‘Chalk It’ is a standout from Kwoli Black’s debut mixtape Sorry For Your Loss. Featuring KeepVibesNear, this track is anchored in moody production and sharp lyricism, the track showcases Kwoli’s ability to balance raw vulnerability with confident storytelling. KeepVibesNear’s soulful delivery adds a haunting intimacy, his voice weaving seamlessly with Kwoli’s reflective verses. Together, they create a song that feels both heavy with emotion and light in its melodic flow. ‘Chalk It’ captures the messy honesty at the heart of the mixtape. It’s all about love, pain, and growth delivered without pretense.
Follow Kwoli Black on Instagram.
Follow KeepVibesNear on Instagram.
From Faith Child’s new album When Faith Feels Far, ‘Good Mourning’ blends raw lyricism with emotive production, the track wrestles with the paradox of praying for healing while preparing for loss. Vulnerable and unflinchingly honest, Faith opens a window into grief and the fragile persistence of belief under pressure. His delivery balances lament with hope, making the song both deeply personal and universally resonant. He’s clearly unafraid to sit in the tension of faith and doubt. ‘Good Mourning’ captures the pain of goodbye while refusing to surrender hope.
Follow Faith Child on Instagram.
‘London City’ sees Vic Santoro and Two Tone deliver a gritty yet uplifting ode to resilience and ambition. With hard-hitting UK hip-hop production, Vic reflects on struggle, survival, and second chances, his commanding delivery rooted in lived experience. Two Tone’s hook adds melodic contrast, grounding the track with a sense of urgency and pride for the capital. The song feels both deeply personal and universally relatable, capturing the grind, setbacks, and triumphs that define London life. More than just a street anthem, ‘London City’ is all about perseverance, showcasing Vic’s authenticity and cementing his place in the UK rap landscape.
Follow Vic Santoro on Instagram.
Follow Two Tone on Spotify.
South West UK rapper JACC. delivers ‘SKEPTICAL IDEA’, a bold fusion of grime’s raw intensity with the sleek punch of modern trap. His gritty, uncompromising vocal delivery cuts through with sharp precision, riding a beat that balances heavy bass with crisp hi-hats and an undercurrent of boom bap grit. The track feels both rooted in UK hip-hop tradition and forward-looking, carrying the restless energy of an artist unafraid to blur boundaries. JACC. channels skepticism into fuel, shaping a sound that is urgent, authentic, and primed to resonate across both underground scenes and wider audiences.
Follow JACC. on Instagram.
At 145 BPM, ‘Tryna Make It’ fuses UK drill, grime, and Detroit influences into a moody yet driven soundscape, produced with SilvaCheck in Hackney Wick. The beat is spacious but heavy, giving Elz’s raw, relatable lyricism room to cut through. Authenticity is central and the upcoming camcorder-shot visual captures his 13-year grind across studio, gym, and daily hustle, underlining the track’s theme of persistence. With roots in London and a Norwich base, Elz balances grit with ambition, delivering a track that feels both grounded and forward-thinking. It’s absolutely playlist-worthy.
Follow Elz on Instagram.
PURPLE MELON 