Music Moose

The UK music scene is currently going through a shift, but that’s not a bad thing—it’s a sign of just how diverse and dynamic the landscape has become. While drill no longer holds the same unshakable grip it did in recent seasons, a thriving alternative rap movement is pushing boundaries in exciting ways, and R&B is enjoying a soulful resurgence that’s winning over new audiences. From gritty street narratives to genre-blurring experimentation, it’s a great time to be a UK music fan—and our Artists to Watch list is here to spotlight the names shaping the future.

Ledbyher, a self-produced UK artist, has coined the term “bedroom drill” to describe her innovative fusion of alternative hip-hop, drill, and introspective pop. Her tracks, such as “LEECHES,” delve into themes of personal growth and resilience, set against atmospheric soundscapes that blend electronic elements with raw emotion. With a exploding fanbase and a distinctive style, Ledbyher is set up for a big future pioneering her sound in the industry, check out her 2024 mixtape ‘achy’ out now.

Similar Artists: N/A her sound speaks for itself

Songs you need to check out: ‘DAYDREAMING MADE ME BLUE’, ‘WANT, TO’

The Lambeth-raised rapper is picking up serious momentum—and doing it entirely on his own terms. Finessekid has already made noise with his Victory Lap Radio freestyle, holding his own as the youngest in the room. His sharp flow, clever one-liners, and “booked off snippets” buzz are all signs of an artist whose moment is coming fast.

There’s serious anticipation around an unreleased track with Skepta, set to take off once it lands. His sound is rooted in drill but layered with trap energy and club-style percussion that gives it extra thump. His delivery is blunt, sarcastic, and unmistakably his—at first it might throw you off, but once it drops in a party, it just clicks.

Always spotted in Corteiz and closely tied to RTW Records, Finessekid looks and moves like someone already signed. The hype around him isn’t forced—it’s building naturally, and it’s only getting louder.

Similar Artists: Rich the Kid, Dizzee Rascal

Songs you need to check out: Cou Cou, Said She Warn

Straight out of Luton, BXKS (pronounced “books”) calls her hometown “the land of the hustlers”—and she brings that same energy to everything she does. A former athlete who once dreamed of sprinting for Team GB, she never planned to become a rapper. But after a casual freestyle in a car with friends, one session turned into another—and soon, she was dropping heat on Mixtape Madness’s Next Up? series, earning a co-sign from Skepta.

Though small in stature, BXKS is a force on the mic. Her delivery is sharp, confident, and hard to miss. “I guess you could say my sound is grime-esque,” she says. “There’s definitely grime in there—but I’m just making whatever feels good.” That open approach shows up on her third EP, One Time, where she raps over smoky jazz on “Excuse Me,” dips into house on “Back It Up,” and floats over a haunting Radiohead sample on “Everything.” Genre? Who cares. “If the beat sounds good, I’m rocking with it.”

Growing up, her first inspiration came from watching Channel U—where she stumbled across artists like Skepta. “At the time, most of the channels were American,” she says. “Then I found a few that played music from here and thought, ‘Oooh, what’s this then?’” Later, AJ Tracey’s Packages would make her want to rap for real. “He was one of the first I heard blending grime and drill—his flow just hit different.”

She grew up around music too. Church was her first stage, and singing came naturally. But she knew early on she wanted to do more than what was expected. “People aren’t shocked if a woman can sing. But if she can really rap? That gets a reaction.”

Now, she calls her style “alternative grime”—an experimental blend where she raps about real life, from being broke to chasing goals, from the trap of social media to the pressure of always being seen. With the UK rap scene constantly shifting, BXKS has carved out her own space—rooted in grime, but always moving forward.

Similar Artists: Frisco, AJ Tracey

Songs you need to check out: Wagashi, Collateral Damage

Based in Croydon, South London, Feng is quietly becoming one of the most interesting new names in UK music. Managed by CTI, his presence feels elusive—split between surreal, schizophrenic Instagram posts and raw, slice-of-life lyrics. Not much is known about him, but what’s clear is this: he’s building something different.

Feng’s sound draws heavily from early 2010s cloud rap. The atmospheric beats, flashes of nostalgia, and lo-fi energy bring to mind the rise of artists like Yung Lean and A$AP Rocky. His production blends electronic indie pop with modern 808s—creating music that feels light, airy, and emotionally tuned-in without being overproduced.

Visually, he leans hard into the era too. His photos and style reference Tumblr-era aesthetics, but in a way that feels intentional, not retro for the sake of it. “I only wear Vans shoes. I don’t wear anything else,” he told Welcome JPEG. That same stripped-back energy runs through everything he does.

When asked why he started rapping, he didn’t overthink it: “I was just bored and had nothing else better to do.” That honesty is part of the appeal—he’s not forcing anything. He’s just making what he feels.

Feng isn’t chasing trends. He’s building a lane. And it’s already starting to move.

Similar Artists: Early A$AP Rocky, Macadellic Mac Miller,

Songs you need to check out: Princess, Walk In The Park, XY

South London’s own Skye Newman is already one of the most accomplished breakout artists of 2025. She’s the first UK female solo artist to land Top 20 placements with both her debut single and its follow-up since Ella Henderson in 2014—an achievement Columbia Records President Dipesh Parmar called a sign of “a resurgence for British acts.” With three songs currently in the charts and a support slot on Lewis Capaldi’s upcoming September tour, Skye isn’t just rising—she’s taking off.

But her success isn’t some industry fluke. Skye’s songwriting is raw and unapologetically personal. She pairs blunt, vulnerable lyrics with emotional belts that feel instantly relatable—even if you haven’t lived her story, the music still hits. “Everything I write is very, very personal,” she says. “It’s all about my story.”

Her story starts in South East London, a place she proudly calls home—shaped by its working-class grit and cultural mix. “I’ve lived everywhere. Kent and Southeast London. I think that’s something most council estate people will understand,” she says. It’s a background that’s grounded her and sharpened her voice.

Music runs in the family too. Skye got her start thanks to her aunt, a jazz and blues singer who introduced her to songwriting and studio life. Now, she’s using those roots to carve out a space in UK pop that feels honest, fresh, and fully her own.

Similar Artists: Amy Winehouse, Lilly Allen, Adele, Estelle,

Songs you need to check out: Family Matters, Out Out

If 2025 belongs to anyone, fakemink is high on that list. With a surprise Drake co-sign at this year’s Wireless Festival and a cult following that’s spread far beyond the UK, he’s become one of the most intriguing names in the underground. Formerly known as 9090gate, he’s shown up in everything from Chris Heyn Jr. videos to viral brainrot edits—yet somehow still keeps a low profile. The question keeps popping up: Who is fakemink, really?

His music speaks first. A self-described “luxury rap” artist, fakemink combines grungy vocals with rich, dreamlike production. “The mink is the luxury part; the fake is the dirty,” he once told NoBells, summing up the duality behind his name. You hear that tension in his work—emotional but distant, chaotic but controlled. Tracks like Crush and Givenchy stand out for their warped beats, spacey textures, and confident, off-kilter flows.

Born and raised in London, he started using FL Studio at ten and began rapping at fifteen. His early influences? Drake’s “Headlines” drums, Kanye West, Hype Williams, Nettspend, and even Imogen Heap. He released his debut album London’s Saviour in late 2023—and by the end of 2024, he’d dropped over fifty tracks. That’s nearly a song a week. His sound moves fast: day-glo club music, distorted samples, washed-out synths, and layers of inside jokes only core fans understand.

There’s more to the image, too. He’s into vintage fashion and reportedly writes every track on his iPod—adding to the myth. He’s not trying to be polished. He’s trying to be real, and weird, and distinctly him.

Fakemink isn’t chasing attention. But he’s getting it anyway.

Similar Artists: Dean blunt, Casisdead, Lucki, M.I.A, Yung lean

Songs you need to check out: Truffle, Music & Me, Sniffany

Straight out of Birmingham, Wohdee is quickly proving she’s one of the most exciting voices in UK rap. Known for her sharp wordplay and fearless delivery, she’s been dropping show-stopping freestyles for years—and now the rest of the scene is catching up.

She discovered her talent early. “I realised I could rap as a child, around 8 or 9,” she says. “I was into poetry first, and that’s when I knew I liked rhyming. Putting it on a beat was like a lightbulb moment—it just made sense.”

That early spark has turned into a real presence. She’s built a TikTok following of over 300k and grabbed serious attention with her breakout track My Shala, which racked up over 1.8 million streams on Spotify. Her freestyle on Red Bull’s GMT Show showed that she’s not just a content rapper—she’s a real MC who could go bar-for-bar with anyone in a battle setting.

Wohdee’s impact hasn’t gone unnoticed. She’s been championed by Sian Anderson and DJ Target, featured on key playlists from 1Xtra and Charlie Sloth, and her TikTok freestyles have caught the attention of heavyweights like K Trap and Dave.

She’s not following the wave—she’s carving her own lane, and it’s moving fast.

Similar Artists: Chip, Scorcher, Lil Kim

Songs you need to check out: Ewww, My Shayla

Zeddy East is quickly making his mark as one of Manchester’s most promising new voices. Following in the footsteps of close friend Nemzzz, he’s building momentum with a distinct style that blends gritty storytelling, genre-hopping production, and a confident, autotune-heavy delivery. His sound pulls from dancehall, afrobeats, and trap—giving each track a fresh edge while keeping it grounded in raw emotion.

Earlier this year, Zeddy performed alongside rising talent Laicositna, further cementing his place in the city’s new wave. What sets him apart isn’t just the sound—it’s the presence. As soon as he comes in on a track, the confidence hits hard.

With his fanbase growing and performances leaving a real impact, Zeddy East is stepping into a bigger spotlight—and he’s more than ready.

Similar Artists: Kojo Funds, Nafe Smallz

Songs you need to check out: 1 by 1, Playfair, Like a Star

Rising out of Manchester, rapper and producer deed0t is carving out his own lane with a sound that sits just left of center. His flow is quirky, his production offbeat, and his lyrics deeply introspective—delivered with the calm authority of someone who’s seen enough to offer real perspective.

What sets deed0t apart is how relatable his music feels. His storytelling doesn’t just reflect his own experience—it taps into the emotions and realities of everyday life, speaking to listeners without forcing it. His unpolished cadence adds to the effect, like an elder giving game, warning the youth with hard-earned wisdom.

But he’s not boxed in. On tracks like Sonny Sodera, he shows a lighter, brighter side—effortlessly switching up the tone without losing his core identity.

With a growing presence in the city and beyond, deed0t is set to perform at the upcoming Cult Manchester music festival, a new event that’s been five years in the making. It’s another step forward for one of the most thoughtful voices in Manchester’s underground.

Similar Artists: J Hus, Suspect, Mostack

Songs you need to check out: Wont Stop Callin, Sonny Fodera

Born in West London and raised in Hertfordshire, Slew is one of the most exciting new names shaping the UK underground. His music—rooted in grime, drill, and rave—hits with that gritty stank-face energy, yet it’s wrapped in a clean, sharply styled image that makes him stand out from the crowd. He’s not just riding the wave—he’s building his own.

Slew started rapping during the pandemic, choosing to carve his own lane instead of mimicking what was already out there. “I didn’t want to start rapping just to copy other people. I wanted to do it with my own twist,” he says. That twist? Grimey, pungent bars over genre-bending production, delivered with the poise of someone who knows exactly who he is. His debut mixtape Face Value (2023) is packed with hard-hitting moments, especially on standout tracks like NEW TO ME and TBH., where introspective lyrics meet slick, addictive hooks.

Though Slew’s journey hasn’t been without friction—“I didn’t fit in. I’ve always been on my own wave,” he says—that self-awareness became his strength. Inspired by his older cousin’s grime freestyles, Slew made the decision early on to tell his own story. His music captures that story honestly: personal, proud, and always pushing forward.

Beyond music, he’s caught attention in fashion too. He starred in Burberry’s Spring 2024 campaign after creative director Daniel Lee personally reached out, a moment that confirmed his cross-industry appeal. “I’m more than just a person who gets dressed up and takes pictures,” Slew says. “I’m an artist first and foremost.”

With a sold-out headline show under his belt and a growing fanbase that stretches far beyond his postcode, Slew is proving he’s not here to play a part—he’s here to lead. And he’s doing it on his own terms.

Similar Artists: Professor Green, Hopsin

Songs you need to check out: NEW TO ME, OUTRAGEOUS, UGLY

Hailing from a quiet market town in Somerset, Finn Askew isn’t your typical rising star. With a raspy tone and a chameleon-like approach to music, he’s drawn comparisons as varied as Kevin De Bruyne and Ed Sheeran—unexpected, but fitting for an artist who’s always kept things unpredictable.

Finn broke through at just 16 with his debut single Roses, a track he made using a £20 mic, a YouTube beat, and GarageBand. The lo-fi DIY hit found its way into a livestream from NCT’s Taeyong, which helped push it into Spotify’s viral charts across Southeast Asia. Today, it’s racked up over 12 million streams—and counting.

Since then, he’s gone viral for his TikTok covers, winning over a new wave of fans with every post. But Finn doesn’t sit still for long. He openly rejects genre boundaries, pulling from R&B, rap, emo, jazz, and indie rock to create a sound that feels both fresh and familiar. It’s no surprise that Vevo Dscvr named him one of their Artists to Watch back in 2021—his work carries that rare blend of polish and rawness that’s hard to fake.

Raised on his parents’ collection of Nirvana, The Smiths, and The Beach Boys—but also inspired by the likes of Juice WRLD and Lil Peep—Finn’s music lives in a space where vulnerability meets swagger. He’s not boxed in by where he’s from, or how he started, and that freedom is exactly what makes his sound so compelling.

Similar Artists: Roy Blair, Dominic Fike, Frank Ocean, Bakar

Songs you need to check out: Adidas, Too late, Mandy (I know its a snippet, but still)

South London’s FigsO is a masked rapper whose melodic instincts and versatile voice set him apart. Inspired by his older brother to make music, he blends autotuned vocals with genuinely strong singing and distinctive melodies. His diverse music taste seeps into every track, making his sound hard to pin down but easy to recognise.A man of few words, FigsO lets the music speak for him. He first caught widespread attention when real love 14% went viral on TikTok, and he’s since teamed up with close collaborator Treezo for a joint mixtape. For FigsO, it’s about more than hits—it’s about longevity. “If the music speaks for itself, it’s always going to live on,” he says. “Even 10 or 15 years down the line, someone will come across it… and hopefully it just ages like fine wine.”

Similar Artists: PNB Rock, Lil Durk, Young Adz, Yung Bleu

Songs you need to check out: Real Love 14%, Turn On Me, Rockstar

Blessed with perfect pitch and an acrobatic voice, Natanya is carving her own lane in modern pop. The London-based singer, songwriter, and producer first emerged as a teenager with Sunset Melody, a jazzy neo-soul cut she uploaded to SoundCloud without any grand plan. Since then, she’s grown into a fully-formed artist, releasing her coming-of-age EP Sorrow at Sunrise and her bold latest single Feline’s Return, which balances euphoric energy with tender, soul-searching lyricism.

Natanya’s musical roots run deep. She grew up surrounded by her father’s Motown records and her mother’s 80s funk, learned classical piano from the age of four, and sharpened her skills at the Julian Joseph Jazz Academy. While “musical dyslexia” made traditional training a challenge, she turned it into a creative advantage, blending grunge, jazz, soul, R&B, Afrobeat, hip-hop, and funk into a style that defies genre.

Her influences are as wide-ranging as Amy Winehouse, Beyoncé, Sade, Stevie Wonder, and Tyler, The Creator, but her sound is unmistakably her own. Natanya produces and writes everything herself, refusing to be boxed in. “When people refer to me as just a singer, it feels like erasure,” she says, determined to challenge the way female producers are overlooked in the industry.

Already co-signed by Doechii and fresh from supporting FLO, Natanya is proving her ambitions are matched by her talent. Her songs are lush and soulful, yet lyrically intimate—poetry about love, fear, and finding your place in the world. As she puts it: “I want people to get lit, maybe twice, then sit and listen to the lyrics. Let it unsettle them. Then get lit again.”

Similar Artists: SZA, Jhene Aiko, Summer Walker,

Songs you need to check out: Daydream, Boombox, Dangerous