Watching George the Poet’s “It Was Written” was a tearjerker to say the least, his performance paid homage to UK rap and the remarkable impact it has had on a wider music scene. The performance evoked bittersweet memories, reminding me of times I sat under my television to watch Channel U and see artists like Bashy, Giggs and BBK on my screen as a child. George mentioned the bright future in store for rappers and the opportunities provided by music, opportunities that were practically nonexistent a few years ago. The reference to pirate radio and the censorship faced by rappers during the beginnings of UK rap highlight the difficulties it faced and is still currently challenged with.
2019 was a historically impressive year for UK rap, according to the Official Charts Company data, sales and streams in UK rap singles reached a record 42.2% and UK rap album sales and streams increased to 26.9%. Both figures demonstrate how this particular genre is carrying the entire music industry with its roots. UK rap is a ground-breaking genre that is home to a variety of sub- sounds including, drill, real rap, trap, wave, grime, afro swing and alternative rap. These are sub genres which have impacted us all with the stories that are sang and memories created through them. Sounds that are associated with lavish hall parties, sounds that emanate from tower blocks and sounds that we blast on our aux systems. This is our history and the participants have cemented themselves in the music hall of fame, for creating something when there was arguably nothing.
One genre that has stuck out for me particularly this year is a sound called real rap, typically known for its frankness about hardships faced on the cold streets. We have seen people bond over road rap classics such as “Pain is the Essence” via There is no signal radio and music audiences across this country rekindling their love for this style of rap. “Real rap is back in fashion” is a typical sentence used by rap lovers and this revival provides old UK rap listeners with a sense of nostalgia and simultaneously creates a brand-new audience. The gap between the two groups of music listeners is bridged by this new era and it is incredibly exciting to witness. Real rap is appreciated due to its ability to document the street life and social issues, such as poverty, civil rights and deprivation. The artists documenting these issues fill their music with soul and brutal honesty. Additionally, the frequent use of soulful elements in real rap instrumentals add to the hopes and dreams of these rappers, and their intentions to leave the past while the past struggles to leave them.
Two particular releases which have moved me recently are Potter Payper’s Training day 3 release, which is a completion of the Training Day trilogy and Nines’ Crabs in a Bucket. Payper describes the completion of the trilogy as him taking us, the audience on a journey. The journey we are taken on is a bleak reflection of the reality Potter Payper has lived, resembling the actual film Training Day starring Denzel Washington. Nines’ Crabs in a Bucket is an allegory about making it out of the hood and still being trapped by the life he used to live. Nines’ album going to Number 1 in the charts was a huge moment for UK music culture and the celebratory Instagram post outside his estate in Harlesden magnifies his journey and how far he has come. Additionally, Potter filmed his ‘When I was little’ music video on an estate in Barking, the same area he grew up in- which resembles a lot of the social housing we may see or reside in. The pain that is poured on to his 24 track mixtape can be described as therapeutic, helping his listeners to relate to the adversity he has faced. Word to Potter as he really does ‘paint a picture, but never needs a paintbrush’. While Nines and Potter’s two stellar chart-topping releases have filled the void in UK rap, we are still awaiting an explosive return from rappers Rimzee and Skrapz, both heavyweights in the real rap genre.
2020 has been an incredible year for UK rap, despite the music industry being brought to an abrupt halt due to COVID-19. The perseverance displayed by rappers has been admirable to witness. Music money is officially a real thing and the industry is consistently growing. To think UK rap arguably is still in its early years is the most exciting prospect, there is still so much to come and so much being done.
