Since the beginning of hip-hop, the United States has been on top of hip-hop music. But as hip-hop began coming into the trend, more and more countries came into the fold.
Then the UK rappers took matters into their own hands and earned their well-deserved place at the top of the industry. So, today, we are listing down some of the best UK rappers.
We will take a quick look at their career, social media presence, and other things.
Table of Contents
21 Savage:
This UK rapper is around 31 years old as of 2023. He started his career in 2012 and has been active since then. His actual name is Shéyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph. He has three kids. Savage is the most followed UK rapper on our list.
He was born on 22nd October 1992 in London, England. Besides being a rapper, he is also a songwriter and music producer. Some of his notable releases are “Issa Album,” “I Am > I Was,” “Savage Mode,” “Without Warning,” “Savage Mode II,” and many others.
Savage has more than 13.1 million followers on Instagram at @21savage, more than 26.2 million monthly listeners on Spotify at 21 Savage, and around 1.3 million+ followers on SoundCloud at 21 Savage.
AJ Tracey:
His real name is Ché Wolton Grant, and his age is around 29 years as of 2023. He was born on 4th March 1994 in Brixton, London, United Kingdom. His career started in 2009, and he has been working since then.
Besides being a rapper, he is also a songwriter, music producer, dancer, and also singer. His famous albums/songs are “AJ Tracey,” “Flu Games,” “Rains,” “Butterflies,” “Dinner Guest,” and several others.
Tracey has more than 1.1 million followers on Instagram at @ajtracey, around 6.4 million+ monthly listeners on Spotify at AJ Tracey, and more than 82,700 followers on SoundCloud at AJ Tracey.
Kano:
Kano started his career in 2000, and he has been active ever since. Besides being a rapper, he is also a songwriter and actor. His age is 38 years as of 2023. His birthplace is East Ham, London, UK.
He was born on 21st May 1985. His actual name is Kane Brett Robinson. His famous albums/songs are “Home Sweet Home” “London Town,” “140 Grime Street,” “Method to the Madness,” “Made in the Manor,” “Hoodies All Summer,” and many others.
Robinson has around 607,000+ followers on Instagram at @therealkano, more than 558,000 monthly listeners on Spotify at Kano, and more than 26,900 followers on SoundCloud at TheRealKano.
Slowthai:
Born in Northampton, England, UK, This UK rapper is around 29 years old as of 2023. He was born on 18th December 1994. He started his career in 2015 and has been working since then.
His actual name is Tyron Kaymone Frampton. Besides being a rapper, he is also a songwriter. Some of his notable releases are “Nothing Great About Britain,” “Tyron,” “Jiggle,” “Murder,” “T N Biscuits,” “The Bottom,” and many others.
Slowthai has around 648,000+ followers on Instagram at @slowthai, more than 3 million monthly listeners on Spotify at slowthai, and more than 32,600 followers on SoundCloud at Slowthai.
Little Simz:
Little Simz’s real name is Simbiatu “Simbi” Abisola Abiola Ajikawo. She started her career in 2010 and has been active since then. Besides being a rapper, she is also an actress and singer.
This UK rapper’s age is around 29 years as of 2023. She was born on 23rd February 1994 in Islington, London, England, UK. Her notable releases are “A Curious Tale of Trials + Persons,” “Stillness in Wonderland,” “Grey Area,” “Sometimes I Might Be Introvert,” and several others.
She has over 533,000 followers on Instagram at @littlesimz, around 3.2 million+ monthly listeners on Spotify at Little Simz, and more than 108,000 followers on SoundCloud at Little Simz.
Headie One:
Headie One began his career in 2010 and is still active. His actual name is Irving Ampofo Adjei. His age is around 29 years as of 2023. This UK rapper was born on 6th October 1994, in Tottenham, London, United Kingdom.
Besides being a rapper, Headie is also a singer and songwriter. Some of his famous albums/songs are “Edna,” “On Sight,” “Golden Boot,” “Know Better,” “All Day,” “Back to Basics,” “Both,” and many others.
Adjei has more than 849,000 followers on Instagram at @headieone, more than 5.4 million monthly listeners on Spotify at Headie One, and around 24,200+ followers on SoundCloud at Headie One.
Fredo:
His stage name might be Fredo, but his real name is Marvin William Bailey. He began his career in 2016 and has been active since then. His birth date is 6th March 1994, and his birthplace is believed to be Queen’s Park, London.
Besides being a rapper, he is also a singer and songwriter. His famous releases are “Third Avenue,” “Money Can’t Buy Happiness,” “Independence Day,” and several others.
Fredo’s Instagram account has 1.3 million+ followers at @fredo; he has more than 2.7 million monthly listeners on Spotify at Fredo and over 21,700 followers on SoundCloud at Fredo.
Slick Rick:
This UK rapper was born on 14th January 1965 in Mitcham, London, England. His real name is Richard Martin Lloyd Walters. He began his career in 1984 and has been active ever since.
He has two kids. He is also a songwriter and music producer. His notable releases are “The Great Adventures of Slick Rick,” “The Ruler’s Back,” “Behind Bars,” “The Art of Storytelling,” and several others.
Rick has more than 541,000 followers on Instagram at @therulernyc, more than 1.3 million monthly listeners on Spotify at Slick Rick, more than 200 followers on SoundCloud at Slick Rick.
Roots Manuva:
His age is around 51 years as of 2023. He was born on 9th September 1972 and is said to have been born in Stockwell, London. His actual name is Rodney Hylton Smith.
Manuva is also a songwriter, vocalist, and music producer. He began his career in 1994 and is still active. His famous releases are “Brand New Second Hand,” “Run Come Save Me,” “Dub Come Save Me,” and several others.
He has more than 10,700 followers on Instagram at @rootsmanuvaofficial, more than 318,000 monthly listeners on Spotify at Roots Manuva, and around 3,000+ followers on SoundCloud at Roots Manuva.
Chip:
Chip began his career in 2004 and is still active. This UK rapper is also a songwriter. He was born on 26th November 1990 in Tottenham, North London, England. His age is 33 years old as of 2023.
His actual name is Jahmaal Noel Fyffe. His notable releases are “I Am Chipmunk,” “Transition,” “League of my Own II,” “Ten10,” and many others.
He has more than 76,800 followers on Instagram at @kingchip, more than 1.4 million monthly listeners on Spotify at Chip, and around 22,000+ followers on SoundCloud at Chip CM.
Professor Green:
This UK rapper has been in the hip-hop industry since 2005. His age is around 40 years as of 2023. His actual name is Stephen Paul Manderson. His birth date is 27th November 1983.
His birthplace is Hackney, London, England. Some of his notable releases are “Alive Till I’m Dead,” “At Your Inconvenience,” “Growing Up In Public,” “Lecture #1,” and several others.
Green has around 866,000+ followers on Instagram at @professorgreen, more than 702,000 monthly listeners on Spotify at Professor Green, and more than 21,800 followers on SoundCloud at Professor Green.
Lady Leshurr:
This “lady” UK rapper is around 36 years old as of 2023. She was born on 15th December 1987 in Kingshurst, Solihull, England. She began her career in 2009 and is still active. She has released many great albums/songs since then.
Her real name is Melesha Katrina O’Garro. She has many great albums/songs; some of them are “Friggin L,” “Lego,” “Lukatar,” “Panda Freestyle,” “Where Are You Now?” and many others.
Leshurr has 514,000+ followers on Instagram at @imladyleshurr, more than 233,000 monthly listeners on Spotify at Lady Leshurr, and more than 64,200 followers on SoundCloud at Lady Leshurr.
Loyle Carner:
Loyle’s actual name is Benjamin Gerard Coyle-Larner. He began his career in 2012, and he is still active as a rapper and songwriter. His age is around 29 years as of 2023.
He was born on 6th October 1994 in Lambeth, South London, England. His famous albums/songs are “Yesterday’s Gone,” “Not Waving, but Drowning,” “No CD,” “The Isle of Arran,” and several others.
Carner has around 356,000+ followers on Instagram at @loylecarner, more than 2.2 million monthly listeners on Spotify at Loyle Carner, more than 55,900 followers on SoundCloud at Loyle Carner.
Sneakbo:
Sneakbo began his career in 2018 and is still active. He was born on 25th July 1992 in Brixton, London, England. His age is around 31 years as of 2023. His actual name is Agassi Babatunde Odusina.
Besides being a rapper, he is also a songwriter. His famous releases are “Brixton,” “The Wave,” “Zim Zimma,” “Ring A Ling,” “Active,” “Nah,” and several others.
He has more than 194,000 followers on Instagram at @sneakbo, more than 1.1 million monthly listeners on Spotify at Sneakbo, and over 13,000 followers on SoundCloud at Sneakbo.
Sway:
This UK rapper is also a music producer. He began his career in 2004 and is still active. His actual name is Derek Andrew Safo. His age is around 41 years as of 2023.
He was born on 5th September 1982 in Hornsey, North London, England. His notable releases are “This Is My Demo,” “The Signature LP,” “Deliverance,” “Verses From the Vault,” and several others.
Derek has around 30,500+ followers on Instagram at @swaydasafo, more than 138,000 monthly listeners on Spotify at Sway, and it appears that he does not have an official SoundCloud account.
Stefflon Don:
Her actual name is Stephanie Victoria Allen. His age is around 32 years as of 2023. She has been in the rapping industry since 2015. She was born on 14th December 1991 in Birmingham, West Midlands, England.
This UK rapper is also a songwriter and singer. Her notable releases are “16 Shots,” “Bum Bum Tam Tam,” “Calypso,” “Hurtin’ Me,” “Senseless,” and many others.
Her Instagram account has more than 3 million followers at @stefflondon, more than 6.2 million monthly listeners on Spotify at Stefflon Don, and around 27,200+ followers on SoundCloud at Stefflon Don.
Wretch 32:
His age is around 38 years as of 2023. He was born on 9th March 1985 in Tottenham, London, England. He began his career in 2006 and is still active. His actual name is Jermaine Sinclaire Scott.
Besides being a rapper, he is also a songwriter, singer, director, and music producer. His famous releases are “Black and White,” “Growing Over Life,” “FR32,” “Upon Reflection,” “little BIG Man,” and several others.
He has more than 341,000 followers on Instagram at @officialwretch32, more than 1 million monthly listeners on Spotify at Wretch 32, and over 32,600 followers on SoundCloud at Wretch 32.
Tinchy Stryder:
This UK rapper is around 37 years old as of 2023. His actual name is Kwasi Esono Danquah III. He began his career in 1997 and is still active. He was born on 14th September 1986 in Accra, Ghana, but started his career in England.
Besides being a rapper, he is also a songwriter, investor, businessperson, and singer. His notable releases are “Star in the Hood,” “Catch 22,” “Third Strike,” “360 / The Crowd 9 LP,” and many others.
He has more than 105,000 followers on Instagram at @tinchystryder, more than 584,000 monthly listeners on Spotify at Tinchy Stryder, and around 2,600+ followers on SoundCloud at Tinchy Stryder.
Central Cee:
Besides being a rapper, he is also a songwriter. His age is around 25 years as of 2023. He was born on 4th June 1998 in Shepherd’s Bush, London, England. His real name is Oakley Neil H T Caesar-Su.
He began his career in 2015 and is still active. Some of his famous albums/songs are “Molly,” “Day in the Life,” “Loading,” “Commitment Issues,” “The Great Escape,” and many others.
Cee has more than 2.5 million followers on Instagram at @centralcee, more than 8.2 million monthly listeners on Spotify at Central Cee, and around 68,600+ followers on SoundCloud at Central Cee.
Scarlxrd:
His actual name is Marius Lucas Antonio Listhrop. His age is around 29 years as of 2023. This UK rapper began his career in 2014 and is still active. He was born on 19th June 1994 in Wolverhampton, West Midland, UK.
Scarlxrd is also a songwriter and singer. His famous releases are “Rxse” “Cabin Fever,” “Chaxsthexry” “スカー藩主” and several others.
He has more than 1.9 million followers on Instagram at @scarlxrd, around 1.4 million+ monthly listeners on Spotify at Scarlxrd, and more than 318,000 followers on SoundCloud at SCARLXRD.
Enny:
Her age is around 29 years as of 2023. She began her career in 2020, and she is pretty new to this industry. Her real name is Enitan Adepitan. She was born on 9th December 1994 in Thamesmead, London, England.
She is also a songwriter. This UK rapper has also released many famous albums/songs since her debut. Some of them are “He’s Not Into You,” “Peng Black Girls,” “Same Old,” “I Want,” “Bernie Mac,” and several others.
Enny has more than 98,300 followers on Instagram at @ennyintegrity, more than 795,000 monthly listeners on Spotify at Enny, and around 1,800+ followers on SoundCloud at Enny.
KSI:
This UK rapper is among the most famous rappers on our list. His real name is Olajide Olayinka Williams “JJ” Olatunji. He began his career in 2009, and he has been working ever since.
His birth date is 19th June 1993 in Watford, Hertfordshire, England. His age is 30 years as of 2023. His famous releases are “Dissimulation,” “All Over the Place,” “New Age,” and several others.
KSI has around 11 million+ followers on Instagram at @ksi, more than 5.6 million monthly listeners on Spotify at KSI, and it appears that he does not have an official SoundCloud account.
M.I.A.:
M.I.A. is a UK rapper who started her career in 2000. She is around 48 years as of 2023. He was born on 18th July 1975 in London, England. He has one kid.
Her actual name is Mathangi “Maya” Arulpragasam. She is also an activist, music producer, and singer. Her famous releases are “Arular” “Kala” “Maya” “Matangi” “AIM” “Mata” and many others.
She has around one million+ followers on Instagram at @miamatangi, more than 7 million monthly listeners on Spotify at M.I.A., and around 264,000+ followers on SoundCloud at MIA.
Pa Salieu:
His birth date is 1st July 1997, and his birthplace is Slough, Berkshire, England. His age is around 26 years as of 2023. His actual name is Pa Salieu Gaye.
Salieu started his career in 2018, and he is still working as a rapper, songwriter, and singer. His famous releases are “Frontline,” “Betty,” “My Family,” “B***K,” “Block Boy,” and many others.
He has more than 265,000 followers on Instagram at @pa_salieu, more than 1.2 million monthly listeners on Spotify at Pa Salieu, and around 54,900+ followers on SoundCloud at Pa Salieu.
Monie Love:
Monie is a “lovely” actress and rapper. She was born on 2nd July 1970 in Battersea, London, England. She started her career in 1987, and she is still in the industry.
Her real name is Simone Antionette Johnson. She is around 53 years as of 2023. Her notable releases are “Down to Earth,” “In a Word or 2,” “I Can Do This,” “Grandpa’s Party,” “Monie in the Middle,” and several others.
Love has around 209,000+ followers on Instagram at @darealmonielove, more than 84,300 monthly listeners on Spotify at Monie Love, and over 100 followers on SoundCloud at Monie Love.
Tion Wayne:
This UK rapper was born on 1st September 1993 in Edmonton, London, England. He is around 30 years old as of 2023. He began his career in 2010 and is still active.
His actual name is Dennis Junior Odunwo. He is also a DJ. His famous releases are “Green With Envy,” “Streetz Dem,” “I’m On,” “Gone Bad,” “Cmon,” and several others.
Wayne has around 787,000+ followers on Instagram at @tionwayne, around eight million+ monthly listeners on Spotify at Tion Wayne, and more than 20.400 followers on SoundCloud at Tion Wayne.
Skinnyman:
His birthplace is Chapeltown Leeds, Yorkshire, England. His actual name is Alexander Graham Holland. He started his career around 2004 and is still active as a rapper and songwriter.
Skinnyman’s birth date is 9th November 1974. His age is 49 years as of 2023. Skinnyman’s famous albums/songs are “Council Estate of Mind,” “Fuck the Hook,” “No Big Ting,” and many others.
He has over 21,500 followers on Instagram at @skinnymanmudfamily, around 18,100+ monthly listeners on Spotify at Skinnyman, and more than 860 followers on SoundCloud at Skinnyman.
Lady Sovereign:
This UK rapper was born on 19th December 1985 in Wembley, London, England. Her age is around 38 years as of 2023. Her actual name is Louise Amanda Harman.
She began her career in 2001 and ended her career in 2010. Her famous releases are “Public Warning,” “Jigsaw,” “9 to 5,” “Hoodie,” “So Human,” and many others.
Her Instagram following is 16,000+ strong at @itsladysov, more than 82,300 monthly listeners on Spotify at Lady Sovereign, and more than 900 followers on SoundCloud at Lady Sovereign.
Dan Bull:
He was born in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, England. He is around 37 years old as of 2023. His birth date is 27th March 1986. He began his career in 2006 and is still active as a rapper, songwriter, and gamer.
This UK rapper’s actual name is Daniel G. L. Bull. His famous releases are “Safe,” “Face,” “Generation Gaming,” “Bullmatic,” “The Garden,” “Hip-Hop Hooray,” and many others.
Dan has more than 10,200 followers on Instagram at @insdanbull, more than 1 million monthly listeners on Spotify at Dan Bull, and around 6,400+ followers on SoundCloud at Dan Bull.
Ghetts:
His real name is Justin Clark. His age is around 39 years as of 2023. His birth date is 9th October 1984, and his birthplace is Plaistow, London, England. He began his career in 2003 and is still working.
Ghetts is also a songwriter, besides being a rapper. His notable releases are “Rebel with a Cause,” “Ghetto Gospel: The New Testament,” “Conflict of Interest,” and many others.
He has around 303,000+ followers on Instagram at @therealghetts, more than 948,000 monthly listeners on Spotify at Ghetts, and more than 5,600 followers on SoundCloud at Ghetts.
