UK Hiphop: The Pioneers

When hip-hop reached these shores from New York in the 1980s, records such as Dizzy Heights’ “Christmas Rapping”, Bo Kool’s “Money (No Love)” and Derek B’s “Bad Young Brother” became vital entry points for fans and commentators to peep this brand-new musical movement. 

Then, London Posse arrived. Fusing ragga and dancehall influences with British accents and references, the South London group was integral to creating a wholly unique British rap sound, far divorced from the States.

Lest we forget the Clapham-bred duo Cookie Crew, the first all-female UK hip-hop act to get signed to a major. 

Slick Rick, born in Mitcham and moving to New York as a pre-teen, is one of the most celebrated MCs in the game, dropping his classic debut album, The Great Adventures Of Slick Rick, in ‘88 alongside anthemic songs such as “Children’s Story” and “La Di Da Di”.

Meanwhile, Battersea-born Monie Love made a splash in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s with her effervescent raps and affiliation with the Native Tongues, which housed acts like De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest and Queen Latifah.

Then there was MF DOOM (R.I.P), the Hounslow-born rhymesmith who moulded underground rap in his own mask-covered image throughout the last two decades, influencing today’s generation of spitters both at home and abroad.

Moving into the 2000s, acts such as Skinnyman, Blak Twang and Estelle helped push things forward in their own, unique ways too.