Who is the Greatest UK Rapper?
Published by Chris September 24th, 2007 in Feature.I was checking out the Northern Author Blog this afternoon and I was drawn into Adam’s post on The Greatest UK Rapper. In which he puts forward his case for Blade;
Blade has been in the rap game as long as Kool G Rap, Big Daddy Kane or Large Professor, and arguably has created as vital a body of work as them. Maybe not on the same worldwide scale, but I know for a fact that thousands upon thousands of hip-hop fans (a lot not necessarily based in Britain) consider Blade to be more than just Mr. Consistency in the rap game. He was one half of the duo that created probably one of the most important UK rap albums there is, as ‘The Unknown’ with producer Mark B kicked in the door for all of the UK artists today that are getting success with their work.
This post really got me thinking about who is my number one UK Rapper of all time, and for me I think I will have to fall upon the side of Roots Manuva, I mean he’s not the most gifted or technical MC in the UK Hip Hop Game but for me - he is one of the most entertaining and interesting stylistically. With 5 studio albums and collaborations with numerous Hip Hop artists around the world, then for a rapper who has been doing his thing in the UK since the mid-90’s he really has put his stamp on the UK scene. For a debut “Brand New Second Hand” has gone on to sell over 50,000 units which you have to admit is a serious push on the UK Black Music Scene, to quote the Times;
His is the voice of urban Britain, encompassing dub, ragga, funk and hip hop as it sweeps from crumbling street corners to ganja-filled dancehalls, setting gritty narratives against all manner of warped beats.”
His follow up album in 2001 “Run Come Save Me,” sold over 100,000 units and gained RM a nomination for a Mercury Music award following on from his MOBO award as Best Hip Hop Act in 1999 and his single “Witness” was voted HHC’s number one Hip hop track of all time.
It was a tough choice because one of my other top UK hiphop act’s has to be Jehst but in a way I think we still have a lot more to come from him and I’m sure in a few years I might be writing a completely different case. I’m sure some of you have opinions on your own favourite UK Rappers - so be sure to leave a comment!!
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well, people who know me ‘ll probably know that I agree with Adam, Blade is an inspiration and got his props from sheer hard work, God Bless my big burger eating mate. Don’t get me wrong now, there are loads out there with silky fast skills, good looks and knackered teeth but, they are creating legacies and Blade has left his mark after retiring last year, in another 2 to 5 years I’ll probably answer this question the same but with a couple more artists added in, just my biased opinion like……
Cheers for the mention, and I’m happy that one of my posts has sparked some sort ofst made someone think.
I completely relate to you Chris,mate, because even though I put forward Blade as the greatest UK rapper, I think Jehst is definitely getting there. He has released two classic albums for me (Return Of The Drifter & Falling Down) and if he keeps putting out great material I think he will be among the greatest who ever did it on these shores.
Good shout on Roots Manuva, he definitely has the charisma and personality to stake a claim, but I think some of his album’s have filler in it that is questionable (but thats my only gripe with him).
Despite him not being my choice for greatest Uk rapper, I think Rodney P deserves some sort of honorable mention here aswell, partly due to his great musical output, but mostly because of his contribution to the whole of UK hip-hop, with radio shows, presenting, deejaying and the like, he’s became somewhat of an ambassador for us. Only thing is, he annoys me everytime I open up HHC magazine and he’s in there saying UK hip-hop is shit. That really irritates me.
Oh yeah, also, if you want any input on this site for any posts or if you want any contribution to something a la ‘50 songs you need to hear’ from last month, never hesitate to email me and ask.
Adam
Any help as always is much appreciated Adam - email sent!!
I agree Rodney P is an ambassador for UKHH and another contender to cary the torch after Jehst for me would have to be Verb T, he’s working hard and maturing in both his lyrics and style and surrounding himself with talented and hard working people I’m sure he could become a contender in the future.
Yeah I’ve always liked Verb’s flow and voice. He’s got a very deep voice that kind of draws you in and forces you to listen to what he is saying. Plus, he doesn’t look like I thought he would when I first heard him rap! But yeah, Verb T is maybe one to look out for in the future as he builds up his body of work. I still need to get down my local independant shop and buy Verb & Skeptik’s album (this I will be doing so soon) but I loved ‘Back To Basics’ with Harry Love. Mood music.
Ok, this is late i know, and maybe most people won’t read this, but i just wanted to put my five bobs worth in before i forget permanently! so far everyone’s put in choices that are hard to argue against, though as much as i love jehst his recent inconsistency puts him below the likes of rodney p whose legacy (solo and, in my opinion more importantly, with London Posse) surely has him reaching for top spot?
However, i just wanted to mention someone who everyone knows but never mentions: Ty. without doubt one of my favourite artists whose body of work reveals classic after classic yet who is still slept on by many (admittedly i have slept on Closer (bar the lead single w/maceo), though this is due to permanantly having no money (student life…)). Being on a label such as Big Dada has allowed Ty, much like Mr Manuva, to explore his creativity.
Few debuts can match up to the bouncy, soulful, jazz-laced Awkward. Tracks such as “Walk With Your Ego”, “Mind Made Up”, “Break the Lock” being undeniable classics, and then you have “Hercules” striking chords with anyone and everyone. Then to follow this album with a whole new sound, the classic Upwards bringing the UK scene to forefront of pop culture. Track such as “Ha Ha” and “Oh You Want More” ensured this album was as popular in clubs as it was bedrooms, and an album thats as good today as it was then. Also worth a mention is “We Don’t Care”, a heavy bassy Moog’d up stomper matched by few (bar of course, “HaHa”..)
Until I grab Closer I wont pass a comment, except to say the lead single speaks volumes for Ty’s multi-styled consistency. A downtempo track that laced with Ty’s inimitable lyricism. The fact he has none other than Maceo on the track again speaks volumes for Ty - how many other UK artists can boast working with such legends?
He may not have the legacy of Rodney P or Blade, nor the commercial success of Roots, of but his influence is undeniable and we will undoubtedly look back on Ty and be befuddled at how people slept.
Snafu, totally agree with you thre. Ty definitely has a shout. All three of his albums have been excellent (especialy Upwards for me), and he rarely dissappoints.
I highly recommend that you go and buy the ‘Closer’ LP right now because it has some awesome tracks on it. Typical Ty stuff, same sound as Upwards just maybe leaning a tiny bit more towards the jazzy, experimental side than before.
Also, I think if he could get his act together and released more solo aterial Skinnyman could have a shout for this title. I mean, 10-15 years plus in the game and only ONE full album??? Council Estate Of Mind was great, but Skinnyman hasn’t capitalised (or hasn’t been allowed to capitalise - I don’t know the background story) on his talent and potential and leave a true legacy. Hopefully he’ll get this sorted in the future.
Dosn’t anyone think chester is the best?? I thought it was a no brainer.
I’ve got Chester’s new album to review here mate - will certainly let you know when I’ve done it what I think!!
yeah i was thinking of chester, and then got thikning about those phi-life cypher boys… chester is a brilliant freestyler and is one the great uk emcees, but on the chosen few ep philife murder the brothers mcbane! that said, taskforce have a more consistent and prolific output , n as such would personally put philife n taskforce on the same level of pedestal in terms of influence and talent.
Chester P doesn’t have the same lyrical prowess for me as Jehst does, or a few other names mentioned. But for contribution to UK hip-hop as a whole he’s definitely up there.
Phi-Life Cypher, man. Life has one of THE best flows in the history of hip-hop regardless of coast or nationality. His flow is awe-inspiring.
Chester is mint but I agree that Jehst can work the words way better
he’s a better freestyler and he has that old skl Common way of looking at the world and painting it wiv words
shame commons gon shit pop now
he used 2 make me smile n nod
Klasnekoff also hits the board for me
Ty is mint and can bang out some hard ass beats an all
and of course Braintax, though nowhere near the level of Jehst
yup yup
its btwn Jehst n the king Blade
Jehst for his pre writtens!!!!hands down
but i would say Micall Parky for most excting if u know what i mean.
But then theres rodney p,skinnyman braintax all those classic UK hip hop Mcees to take in.So at the end of the day its just which rapper relates to you the most!