Top 10 UK Rappers and Grime Artists to Look Out For in 2009

Which UK rappers and grime MC’s are going to dominate 2009? “How can you predict such a thing?” You may be asking yourself, but as the creator of the UK’s only web-based urban music video downloads service, I will give you the inside scoop!

UK hip-hop and grime artists dominate the UK’s urban music scene, and MC’s such as Dizzee Rascal, Wiley and Tinchy Stryder have taken the number 1, 2 and 3 spots in the nationwide UK charts respectively making them household names.

In my previous article “How Did Urban Music Get So Big In The UK” I mentioned quite a few hip-hop and grime artists that have really boosted the UK’s urban music scene. Here are 10 of the most influential artists to look out for that will be making waves throughout 2009:

1. Chipmunk

With his “Chip Diddy Chip” single making the A-list playlists on major radio stations such as BBC Radio 1 and KISS FM, Chipmunk is now in the middle of a record label bidding war. Look out for his “I Am Chipmunk” album coming this year.

2. Tinchy Stryder

After recently signing a record deal with Universal, Tinchy Stryder has hit the no.3 spot in the UK charts with his “Take Me Back” single, which features r&b singer Taio Cruz. The single has received major support from all major radio stations and music TV channels.

3. Bashy

With 2008’s smashes such as “Black Boys” and the movie soundtrack lead single “Kidulthood to Adulthood”, Bashy has caught the attention of many including Prime Minister Gordon Brown as he’s recently spent time working on a positive project at 10 Downing Street with the Prime Minister. Look out for his “Catch Me if you Can” album this year.

4. Wiley

With 2 hit singles in 2008, one of them (Wearing My Rolex) hit the no.2 spot in the UK charts. The self-proclaimed “King of Grime” has made the decision to release more commercially-accepting music this year, as well as releasing his eagerly anticipated “Race Against Time” album. Look out for Wiley’s “She Glows” music video which features fellow grime mc’s Kano and Ghetts.

5. Ghetts

Recently signing a single deal for “Sing For Me”, this is Ghetts first ever commercial release as well as his first single using his new name, which was previously “Ghetto”.

6. Sway

After winning the “Best UK Hip-Hop Act” award at the 2006 BET Awards, then releasing his “The Signature LP” album in 2008, Sway has since signed a U.S record deal with Akon’s “Kon Live” record label and released the “Silver and Gold” single, which features Akon.

7. N-Dubz

This hip-hop/r&b trio (Tulisa, Dappy & Fazer) have recently gone platinum in the UK with their “Uncle B” album. With recent hits like “Papa” and “Strong Again” gaining mainstream support from all major radio stations, you can expect more hits from the consistently-strong N-Dubz in 2009.

8. Giggs

Since putting out the biggest freestyle in UK hip-hop’s history, Peckham rapper Giggs proved that his “Talking the Hardest” track was big enough to release an album on the back of; and his “Walk in the Park” album quickly sold out in its first week of nationwide release. Soon after, Giggs won the “Best UK hip-hop artist” award at BET’s 2006 music wards in atlanta. Recently teaming up with one of the UK’s most successful r&b artists of all time, Shola Ama, expect big things from Giggs in 2009.