Rapper Knucks released his debut album, ALPHA PLACE, last year. It hit #3 on the U.K.’s Official Albums Chart and was praised by Clash for its “immaculate self-production and refined wordplay” and credited with “raising the bar for U.K. rap.” Since then, Knucks has begun working with ADA (following two EPs, a mixtape and a short-lived deal with Island Records).

Trenton Harrison-Lewis, SVP Artist and Label Development, ADA and Warner Music U.K., says he’d wanted to work with the rapper for years, elaborating, “Knucks had been bubbling away in the underground scene for a while, making really good music, and I’d built a great relationship with his managers Sincere and Mark [Henry]. We were able to come up with a plan that allowed him to work independently with his team while partnering with us. It was a very competitive deal, but thanks to our relationship, we were able to bring Knucks and his team in.”

Alpha Place “cemented him as one of the most exciting up-and-coming artists in the U.K.,” Harrison-Lewis continues. “The record has streamed amazingly well and now we’re looking to build on that success as he continues to develop.” The first single released via ADA was “I Suppose,” which landed in August.

What separates Knucks from the pack? The ADA/WMUK SVP responds, “His work is distinguished by incredible lyricism, and he often produces his own beats, which is a really powerful combination. He also blends different genres, like hip-hop, R&B and jazz, which gives him his own sound. It’s like nothing else coming out globally today.”

In 2023 Knucks mounted a sold-out EU tour and a debut U.S. run, hitting eight cities. While he works on new music, the ADA team is cultivating his fan base. “We believe his sound has the ability to cross borders,” says Harrison-Lewis, “so we’re working hard to connect Knucks with as many fans worldwide as possible.”

STATS

Streaming: 3.8m monthly Spotify listeners

Social media: 65m+ YouTube views; 400k TikTok likes

TEAM

Management: Sincere, Mark Henry and Sandy Abuah at Tru Tribe

Label: ADA, Trenton Harrison-Lewis

Publisher: unpublished

Headie One is among the figureheads of the U.K. drill scene, which emerged in 2019 thanks in part to his #6 single “18HUNNA” f/Dave. He subsequently tallied four more Top 10 singles and hit #1 with his 2020 debut album, Edna (named for his mother, who died when he was three). This year, Headie reached #5 on the U.K. album chart with Strength to Strength, his mixtape collaboration with fellow London rapper K-Trap. After cementing his reputation under the guidance of Sony U.K.’s Relentless Records, he’s now signed to Columbia.

Says Columbia U.K. President Dipesh Parmar: “What Relentless has done with Headie in a few short years is remarkable. Going from his early days on the streets of Tottenham to becoming one of the U.K.’s most prolific rappers globally is no mean feat. It’s now about bringing new energy to the project and working with Headie and his team to further cement his position as one of the U.K.’s finest.”

So what makes him special? “Authenticity,” Parmar offers, elaborating, “Headie is the rapper’s rapper; he’s the real deal. His lyrical ability and ability to remain culturally relevant, with admiration and respect from the likes of Drake and Fred Again.., to name but a few, is credit to the unfiltered reflection in his lyrics and his continued experimentation as an artist.” That respect has resulted in a variety of collabs, including “Ain’t It Different” f/AJ Tracey and Stormzy (U.K. #2), “Only You Freestyle” with Drake (U.K. #5) and “Charades” with Fred Again.. and tracks with Skepta and Young T & Bugsey.

The current plan is to build on recent momentum, which includes that generated by #9 single “Martin’s Sofa.” Parmar promises, “Ahead of new music, we’ll super-serve Headie’s core fans across his social-media platforms, strategically feeding them bespoke content tailored to each channel as we build his global following.” Next year will see a new album project, which One has already begun to tease, accompanied by what Parmar calls “elevated creative storytelling” and the opportunity to see him play his biggest live shows yet.

STATS

Streams: 2.3b

Charts: Four Top 10 singles; six Top 20 singles; debut album Edna hit #1 in the U.K. and charted in six countries; first U.K. drill artist to reach the Top 10, with “18HUNNA,” 2019

Awards: Two BRIT Award nominations; MOBO win for Best Male Act, 2020

Social media: 1.6m followers

Live: Wembley SSE Arena, O2 Academy Brixton

TEAM

Management: Lovelace Owusu-Sekyere, Adnan Masud, Mimi Oritse

Label: Columbia Records U.K.

Publisher: unpublished

Agent: Craig D’Souza, WME

With two U.K. #1 albums to his name and a #6 debut, J Hus is up there with the most successful acts in British rap. He’s collaborated with Drake (on “Who Told You,” which hit #2 in the U.K. in June), has four BRIT-certified gold and eight silver singles and has tallied a total of 2.2b+ streams to date.

J Hus was discovered by Sony Music U.K. Director of Artist Development DJ Semtex through word of mouth in 2015. He later signed to Sony U.K. imprint Black Butter Records. “It was blatantly apparent from his lyricism that he was different,” Semtex remembers. “His metaphors, flow and cadence were different from everything else at that time.He was clearly a very special, highly original artist who could rap and sing while effortlessly fusing U.K. slang with African [his parents are Gambian] and Caribbean influences.”

Since then, Semtex has worked alongside Moe Bah and Kilo Jalloh at 2K Management to build J Hus’ career, which he calls “a great, groundbreaking voyage." He continues, "No single or album campaign has been the same. The only constant is that everything starts from the streets. His music fuels pirate radio and social media, dominates the clubs and rings out across the diaspora. J Hus is incomparable, and his cultural significance is unquestionable; his music is constantly discussed and celebrated.”

The campaign for Hus’ third album (and second Mercury Prize nominee), Brutal and Beautiful Yard, which arrived in July, started in 2019 at Drake’s O2 London residency; in April of that year the Canadian star brought J Hus onstage for a surprise performance the day he was released from an eight-month jail sentence (stemming from a 2018 charge of carrying a knife in public). The 20k-capacity crowd’s response was “ecstatic,” Semtex says. “It was one of the highlights of Drake’s U.K. tour and it triggered anticipation for a collaboration between the two artists.”

In May 2023, after a hiatus from social media, Hus’ debut TikTok post generated 1m views. His Brutal and Beautiful Yard tagline, “Don’t Say Militancy”―which he explained in a YouTube video by saying, “Don’t say it but do it”―appeared on billboards and police tape across London and around the world with a phone number for fans to call, which led them to an exclusive message from Hus. At the end of October, he embarked on his first arena tour, including two dates at The O2. Hus is returning to the Afro Nation concert series in Lagos, Nigeria, in December.

STATS

Streams: 2.2b; 114m for “Who Told You” f/Drake, 2023; 70m+ for latest album, Beautiful and Brutal Yard, 2023

Charts: Two U.K. #1 albums, #6 debut; #2 single BRIT certifications: triple-platinum single “Did You See”; platinum singles “Bouff Daddy” and “Spirit”; four gold and eight silver singles

Awards: BRIT Award for Best British Male, 2021, and three nominations; two Mercury Prize nominations

Live: The O2; Afro Nation

TEAM

Management: Kilo Jalloh, Moe Bah, 2K Management

Label: Black Butter; A&R: Joe Gossa, DJ Semtex

Publisher: Amber Davis, Warner Chappell Music U.K.

Agent: Craig D’Souza, WME

If there’s a leader of the recent wave of U.K. rap stars, it’s Stormzy. He’s enjoyed three U.K. #1 albums and was the first Black British solo artist to headline Glastonbury. His star has risen beyond the U.K., meanwhile, for alliances with Jay-Z, Adele, Billie Eilish and Burna Boy.

Buoyed by 5b streams, Stormzy has lent the luster of his brand to worthy causes, which include two scholarships for Black students at the University of Cambridge and a publishing imprint and writer’s prize for underrepresented writers.

The above has been achieved in little more than five years. As Alec Boateng, co-president of the rapper’s label, 0207 Def Jam, notes, “Stormzy has become important, influential, respected and hugely successful all before the age of 30.”

As far as what’s next, he ventures: “I think he’ll be able to apply his talents to other creative fields―in all the ways stars have traditionally been able to continually shine bright―to make deeper-rooted cultural connections and push cultural boundaries while maintaining a huge musical impact.”

In the U.S., Stormzy is signed to Interscope, which has helped lay the groundwork for what may have been his most personal album yet, 2022’s This Is What I Mean, which builds on his grime roots and spans Afrobeats, soul and R&B.

The campaign supporting his well-received third set encompasses further activity stateside, including an as-yet-unscheduled tour.

“Interscope is super-keen to have him in market because it’s in person that he really shines,” Boateng adds. “We’re all looking forward to getting Stormzy in deeper with [label head] John Janick, [EVP co-Head of A&R] Nicole [Wyskoarko], [Director of Urban Marketing] Lauren [Gaspard] and the rest of the team. They have been full of brilliant ideas for him.”

According to the 0207 Def Jam co-head, Stormzy’s “brand power” has helped him “bypass some of the cultural-nuance challenges that accompany Black British music” outside the U.K. He also credits British rap peers like Dave and Central Cee and “the international success and youth-culture connection of shows like Top Boy,” which features U.K. rappers, with having “given the world an extra layer of understanding of the cultural touchstones Stormzy proudly
carries with him.”

The stage is thus set, Boateng promises, for Stormzy “to take on the world whenever the right moment comes along, which it will!”

STATS

Streams: 5b

Charts: Three #1 albums

Live: Global festival headliner

TEAM

Management: Tobe Onwuka, #Merky

Label: 0207 Def Jam U.K./Interscope U.S.

Publisher: Amber Davis, Shani Gonzales,

Warner Chappell Music

Agent: Lucy Dickins, Whitney Boateng, WME

There’s no doubt 2023 has been a breakthrough year for Clavish. It began with hitting #4 with his widely praised album debut, Rap Game Awful, and was followed by a sold-out eight-date tour that included two shows in London and a #8 hit with D-Block Europe, “Pakistan.” Clavish played the main stage at Wireless and headlined the BBC Radio 1Xtra stage at Reading and Leeds. And at press time, Rap Game Awful—which features a host of collaborations with British hip-hop talent―was the biggest-selling U.K. debut of 2023 and heading toward silver status.

Clavish signed to Polydor in early 2021. His A&R manager, Piers Haynes, says that his development since then has been about “retaining credibility, ensuring that we’re connecting with the streets as well as a wider audience.” They’ve achieved this via records like “4 of Us” f/Rimzee, Tiny Boost and Young Teflon and “Rocket Science” f/D-Block Europe, as well as writing sessions with TSB, Hoskins, Two Inch Punch, Tay Keith, Whyjay & Litek, M1OnTheBeat, Jacob Manson and Kyle Evans.

For Haynes, Clavish “embodies everything that defines what a true artist is―vision, authenticity, honesty, originality.” He continues, “His catalog speaks for itself. He has depth and flare and is truly exceptional.”

According to Polydor Director of Marketing Jade Bradshaw, “Clavish has set the bar pretty high for himself. In the last six months alone he’s shown versatility, an unmatched work rate and, most importantly, huge amounts of growth, which is all reflected in his becoming the biggest breakthrough of the year across all genres.”

STATS

Streams: 250m; 2.3m monthly Spotify listeners

Charts: #4 album; two Top 10 & three Top 40 singles

Social media: 44m YouTube views

TEAM

Management: Marlon Boakye, Rif Jung

Label: Polydor, A&R: Piers Haynes

Publisher: Shauni Caballero, Sony Music Publishing

Agent: Austin Tobias, Craig D’Souza, WME

The plan for London’s 21k-capacity MSG Sphere has been scrapped after Mayor Sadiq Khan rejected the proposals.

Despite it clearing multiple bureaucratic hurdles, Khan has now had the final say and ruled out the possibility of it going ahead. He said that the current proposals result in “an unacceptable negative impact on local residents.”

In response, an MSG spokesperson said they are “disappointed in London’s decision” and will be concentrating instead on “many forward-thinking cities that are eager to bring this technology to their communities.”

The proposed venue, which would have mirrored MSG’s $2.3b development in Las Vegas, has courted a wealth of resistance from residents and the local council over the last five years. This was mainly due to the impact its outside LED light display would have had on residents as well as rail and road users.

AEG, which owns London’s 20k-capacity O2 Arena and has objected the venue from the start, naturally welcomed the news.

“We do not oppose competition in the live entertainment industry, and specifically do not oppose another large music venue in London,” EVP of Real Estate & Development at AEG Europe Alistair Wood said. “However, this proposal had fundamental flaws from the beginning. It was the wrong design, in the wrong location, and this was the right call.”

Madness are on track to claim their third U.K. Official Albums #1. Over on singles, Jack Harlow is set for another week at #1.

Theatre of the Absurd Presents C’est La Vie (BMG) is the 13th studio LP from Madness and could be their highest-charting since 2016’s Can’t Touch Us Now, which peaked at #5.

Dolly Parton is another high new entry at #3 with Rockstar (Big Machine). Following the release of a deluxe Scary Hours Edition, Drake’s For All the Dogs (OVO/Republic) is set to rebound into the Top 5 at #4.

The National start at #5 with Laugh Track (4AD).

On the U.K.’s Official Singles midweeks, Harlow’s “Lovin’ on Me” (Atlantic) is heading for a second week at the top.

The Beatles’ former #1 single, “Now and Then” (Apple Corps), is expected to rise four to #2. Tate McRae is eyeing this week’s highest new entry, with viral hit “exes” (RCA) starting at #10.

Making an early bid for 2023’s Christmas #1 single, Wham! lift 13 places to #13 with “Last Christmas” (Sony). Zara Larsson and David Guetta’s latest team-up, “On My Love” (Epic), could break into the Top 20 for the first time on Friday, at #18.

Taylor Swift has denied The Beatles a 16th U.K. Official Albums #1. Over on singles, Jack Harlow has his first.

Swift’s 1989 (Taylor’s Version) (EMI) has a third week at the top of the albums chart today. The Beatles finish at #2 and #3 with the expanded editions of 1967-1970 (Apple Corps) and 1962-1966, respectively. Each album has returned to its original peak, achieved on release in 1973.

Chase & Status’ 2 RUFF, Vol. 1 (EMI) is new at #4. The debut from Baby Queen, Quarter Life Crisis (Polydor), rounds out the Top 5 at #5.

Noah Kahan’s Stick Season (Mercury/Republic) flies 16 places to a new peak at #6 following the start of his U.K. tour. A 10th anniversary edition of Passenger’s All the Little Lights (Cooking Vinyl) is #7.

New Order’s 1987 comp, Substance (Warner Music U.K.), is a re-entry at #10.

On the U.K.’s Official Singles chart, Harlow has his first #1 with “Lovin’ on Me” (Atlantic). The track tallied 5.1m streams to hit the top.

“Houdini” (Warner Records) by Dua Lipa is another high new entry at #2. Kahan’s “Stick Season” is up three to #5.

Chase & Status are the first group to collect four U.K. Top 40 singles simultaneously since 2010, with “Baddadan” f/Bou, Flowdan, IRAH, Triggah and Takura at #10; “Liquor and Cigarettes” with Hedex and ArrDee at #17; “Selecta” with Stefflon Don at #27 and “Disconnect” with Becky Hill at #37.