This year, the big U.K. ones to watch lists have been fairly solid. BBC Music's Sound of 2017 list is packed with FADER faves like Stefflon Don, RAY BLK, and Dave, while VEVO’s list checks off AJ Tracey, Jorja Smith, and Nadia Rose. The BRITs Critics' Choice shortlist, meanwhile, focuses on artists who already have big hits: Rag'n'Bone Man, Dua Lipa, and Anne-Marie. We’re proud to see a bunch of our favorite artists getting wide recognition, but here we wanted to show love to British artists across genres who deserve it too.
1. Ms Banks
“Face beat, hair neat, fresh teeth.” Pals with Stefflon Don, deserves to be south London’s next rapper to break. Her Fire In The Booth over “30 Hours” is unforgettable.
2. GAIKA
Rose Marie Cromwell for The FADER
GAIKA’s “ghettofuturism” envisions a bashment-inflected utopia, but with its gritty, deconstructed frequencies, it can often sound apocalyptic. Start with his debut Warp EP SPAGHETTO.
3. Goat Girl
Holly Whitaker
Grungey world-weariness that captures the mood of a generation being dragged down by the mistakes and prejudices of their elders. “I’m disgusted, I’m ashamed of this so-called human race,” singer Lottie snarls on “Country Sleaze.”
4. Cosima
Courtesy Cosima
Upfront guitar-pop with smouldering vocals. The south London singer has the kind of wide-eyed poeticism that can generate lyrics like: "Every day is a Monday, there’s no hope of Friday while you’re gone."
6. Obongjayar
Alec McLeish
A mixture of gravelly soul and spoken word, this Nigerian-British artist's music grapples with belonging, identity, and place over sinister, sparse basslines and nostalgic samples. Listen to his Home EP here.
7. Beatrice Dillon
Courtesy Beatrice Dillon
Londoner Beatrice Dillon makes beautiful use of space in both her music and her NTS Radio shows. Her warm productions deftly incorporate unusual textures, whether it’s a drizzle of saxophone or an alien synth melody. Her latest, “Can I Change My Mind?”, is a 13-minute-long gem.
8. Abra Cadabra
The reason London dancefloors in 2016 were yelling, “man don’t talk, man rob.” The Tottenham rapper was joined by Krept and Konan for “Robbery,” which snatched this year’s MOBO for Best Song.
9. Compton White
SWEETBOY Recordings
The producer’s self-titled EP came out in summer ‘16 and is a grab-bag of influences. Trap-influenced bass and glistening chopped beats rub up alongside the sound of a radio DJ giving him a shout out.
10. Patience
Night School Records
Irresistible DIY synthpop, paired with VHS videos. Lingering vocals with a dark undercurrent. For fans of Italo rarities and Italians Do It Better alike.
11. 67
Murky road rap laced with south London stories, with nods to Chicago drill as well as U.K. MCs. “Let’s Lurk,” featuring the crew's spiritual godfather Giggs, is their biggest tune to date.
12. Aystar
He got a leg-up on Giggs’s Landlord track “The Best,” but his originals stand on their own. He's doing it for north west England, and stays true to his distinct Liverpool accent in his rhymes.
13. Belly Squad
You haven’t heard “Pick Up The Phone” until you’ve heard Belly Squad’s take on it. But the London crew’s own material stands up just as strongly. Try “Rambo” and “Banana” to get a taste of their mix of grime, afrobeats, and dancehall.
14. Dream Wife
Lucky Number Music
“Hey Heartbreaker” sounds like The Cramps fronted by Debbie Harry. The trio, Rakel Mjöll, Alice Go, and Bella Podpadec, met at art school and there’s an undeniable spark in both them and their catchy, punky, pop songs.
15. Kojey Radical
More poet than rapper, Kojey Radical’s performances have a breathtaking, near-terrifying conviction, whether he’s howling a guttural hook or breaking down raw truths in his verses.
