London's Electric Ballroom is abuzz with energy as EsDeeKid takes the stage, his distinctive Scouse accent battling a storm of apocalyptic bass and John Carpenter-esque horror synths. Behind him, projections flash in stark black and red – tower blocks, eyeballs, dot-matrix geometries – more like the ragged photocopy aesthetic of 80s post-punk than any luxury rap branding. The crowd is electric, borne aloft by the palpable sense that this is a moment to be savored.
Just two weeks prior, EsDeeKid's breakthrough single Phantom had crashed into the UK Top 20, with over 10m monthly Spotify listeners. Despite having only started releasing music in 2024, he had already made a significant impact on the UK underground rap scene. His debut album, Rebel, was streaming sensation, and his latest single, Century, reached the UK Top 10.
But EsDeeKid's rise to fame is just one part of a new wave of artists who are taking the UK underground rap scene by storm. With their experimental sound, DIY ethos, and emphasis on Britishness, they're redefining what it means to be a rapper in the UK.
As you speak with fans at Electric Ballroom, you realize that this is more than just another genre – it's a cultural movement. They call it "underground" rap, but these young artists are pushing the boundaries of the scene, experimenting with new sounds and styles.
"We're excited to see what's coming next," says Billy, one of three lads from Birmingham who have come down to see EsDeeKid perform. "Lancey Foux, Fimiguerrero, Len, EsDeeKid, Rico Ace, Fakemink, Jim Legxacy – everyone is pushing the scene forward in their own way."
Pinning down the underground sound is tricky, but one thing is clear: it's all about constant stimulation and dopamine overload. Fizzing, lo-fi tracks come and go in under two minutes, with everything cranked into the red. Britishness is on the forefront, with older UK tracks used for samples, regional accents flourishing, and lyrics that reflect life in small market towns.
The scene has spread rapidly across the country, drawing in kids from suburban towns just as punk did in the 1970s. Ledbyher, a rising star in the scene, grew up in a council house in Norfolk, where she discovered US rap until she was introduced to UK drill by a school friend and learned to rap convincingly in an English accent.
"The underground now is commenting on a life that more of us find ourselves in," Ledbyher says. "We're not considered British, but we're not exactly natives of our parents' countries. So the idea of being Black British has become more visible in our generation's minds."
But not everyone is comfortable with the use of flag iconography. Ceebo, a 24-year-old rapper from Brixton, reflects on the fact that his music is now being listened to by white suburban kids around the country.
"We're shaping the youth of this country's thoughts and feelings towards Black Britishness," he says. "We have to approach it as a dialogue with the people who are consuming it, and this matters a lot more than hype moments."
As for EsDeeKid, he's taking a left turn into dance music, citing punk aesthetics as his inspiration. For him, the real crown on the head is knowing you've dropped a song that is going to go crazy live.
"The music that we make is live music," he says. "Everyone in this space, your biggest flex is hitting the stage. Streams and all these things other rappers worry about have only become relevant recently. The real crown on the head is knowing you've dropped a song that is going to go crazy live."
As the scene continues to evolve, one thing is clear: the UK underground rap scene is here to stay, pushing boundaries and redefining what it means to be a rapper in the UK.
Just two weeks prior, EsDeeKid's breakthrough single Phantom had crashed into the UK Top 20, with over 10m monthly Spotify listeners. Despite having only started releasing music in 2024, he had already made a significant impact on the UK underground rap scene. His debut album, Rebel, was streaming sensation, and his latest single, Century, reached the UK Top 10.
But EsDeeKid's rise to fame is just one part of a new wave of artists who are taking the UK underground rap scene by storm. With their experimental sound, DIY ethos, and emphasis on Britishness, they're redefining what it means to be a rapper in the UK.
As you speak with fans at Electric Ballroom, you realize that this is more than just another genre – it's a cultural movement. They call it "underground" rap, but these young artists are pushing the boundaries of the scene, experimenting with new sounds and styles.
"We're excited to see what's coming next," says Billy, one of three lads from Birmingham who have come down to see EsDeeKid perform. "Lancey Foux, Fimiguerrero, Len, EsDeeKid, Rico Ace, Fakemink, Jim Legxacy – everyone is pushing the scene forward in their own way."
Pinning down the underground sound is tricky, but one thing is clear: it's all about constant stimulation and dopamine overload. Fizzing, lo-fi tracks come and go in under two minutes, with everything cranked into the red. Britishness is on the forefront, with older UK tracks used for samples, regional accents flourishing, and lyrics that reflect life in small market towns.
The scene has spread rapidly across the country, drawing in kids from suburban towns just as punk did in the 1970s. Ledbyher, a rising star in the scene, grew up in a council house in Norfolk, where she discovered US rap until she was introduced to UK drill by a school friend and learned to rap convincingly in an English accent.
"The underground now is commenting on a life that more of us find ourselves in," Ledbyher says. "We're not considered British, but we're not exactly natives of our parents' countries. So the idea of being Black British has become more visible in our generation's minds."
But not everyone is comfortable with the use of flag iconography. Ceebo, a 24-year-old rapper from Brixton, reflects on the fact that his music is now being listened to by white suburban kids around the country.
"We're shaping the youth of this country's thoughts and feelings towards Black Britishness," he says. "We have to approach it as a dialogue with the people who are consuming it, and this matters a lot more than hype moments."
As for EsDeeKid, he's taking a left turn into dance music, citing punk aesthetics as his inspiration. For him, the real crown on the head is knowing you've dropped a song that is going to go crazy live.
"The music that we make is live music," he says. "Everyone in this space, your biggest flex is hitting the stage. Streams and all these things other rappers worry about have only become relevant recently. The real crown on the head is knowing you've dropped a song that is going to go crazy live."
As the scene continues to evolve, one thing is clear: the UK underground rap scene is here to stay, pushing boundaries and redefining what it means to be a rapper in the UK.
They're not afraid to experiment with new sounds and styles, and its really paying off. I mean, EsDeeKid's rise to fame is just one example of this - he went from nothing to breaking into the Top 20 in just two weeks! That's insane 
They're reflecting on British life and experiences that are unique to them, like growing up in council houses or navigating identity as Black Brits. Its heartening to see artists using their platform to talk about these issues.
The way they use samples from older UK tracks and incorporate regional accents is really cool. Its like they're having a conversation with their listeners, rather than just trying to make hits.
We need to make sure that these young artists are aware of their audience and the impact they're having on people from different backgrounds.
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." 
We're witnessing a movement, a revolution of sound that's taking over the UK underground rap scene! 
The energy is palpable, and it's all about pushing boundaries and redefining what it means to be a rapper. The youth are speaking out, sharing their stories, and creating music that reflects life in small market towns. It's time to acknowledge this cultural movement and celebrate the creativity and talent of these young artists! 
i'm so hyped to see all these young artists pushing the boundaries of uk rap. they're not just making music for themselves, but for everyone around them too 
it's amazing to see how this scene is evolving and adapting to different tastes and styles 
and i love how esdeekid is taking a left turn into dance music - the energy in his live performances must be electric 
can't wait to see what's next for these talented artists 
EsDeeKid's energy is infectious! I love how he's blending his Scouse roots with John Carpenter-esque synths - it's like a sonic fusion of 80s post-punk and modern grime 
. They're not afraid to experiment and push boundaries, creating something truly unique and raw 
and i'm so hyped to see what he does next. this underground rap scene is literally changing the game 
. Newsflash: you're not edgy, you're just lazy. And don't even get me started on the whole "Britishness" thing. Like, who cares if you're Black British or whatever? It's not that deep 
. And what's with all these new artists thinking they can just hop on the scene and start talking about life in small market towns like it's some kind of big deal? Give me a break 
. I mean, I guess EsDeeKid is alright, but only because his music sounds pretty and not too cringeworthy 
. And honestly, the fact that everyone's so obsessed with "constant stimulation and dopamine overload" just feels like they're trying too hard to be relevant 
but seriously its like theyre taking all this UK drill stuff and just making it more polished and radio friendly i mean dont get me wrong esdeekid is alright but his flow sounds way too clean for my taste, where's the grit?
! The way he blends Scouse accent with horror synths is pure genius 
.
. These young artists are redefining what Britishness means and challenging norms 
.
- using old UK tracks as samples and incorporating regional accents into their lyrics is like a musical time capsule 
. It's amazing to see how this scene has spread across the country, drawing in kids from suburban towns who are eager for something new and exciting 
.
. The way they're experimenting with sounds and styles is so inspiring, it's like they're pushing the limits of what rap can be in the UK. I've been listening to a lot of EsDeeKid's music lately, his lyrics are so honest and relatable, it feels like he's speaking straight to my generation 
. The fact that he's taking inspiration from punk aesthetics is amazing, it shows how much these artists care about their craft 
.
. These young artists are not only pushing the genre forward but also bringing something new and unique to the table. I love how they're experimenting with different sounds, styles, and themes that reflect life in small market towns 
.
. From fans in Birmingham to those in Norfolk, everyone is united by their love for underground rap 
. It's a movement that's all about embracing your Britishness and finding pride in your own identity 
.
. Ceebo's comments on using flag iconography are so important, and I think it's essential for these artists to approach this conversation with sensitivity and awareness.
, and I'm excited to see what's in store! Bring it on! 
some of these young artists are telling stories that need to be told, like ledbyher's experience as a black british woman growing up in a council house in norfolk 
this whole underground rap movement is more than just music, it's a cultural shift 
. The way they're using samples from older UK tracks and incorporating regional accents into their lyrics is SO clever 
. It's not just about rapping; it's about creating a whole experience that's immersive and engaging 
. And I'm loving the way artists like Ledbyher are using their platforms to comment on life in small towns and communities – it's so relatable and real 
, from creating their own beats to experimenting with new sounds and styles. I love how they're incorporating Britishness into their lyrics and using UK tracks for samples. It's like a new wave of hip-hop is born 
. It's all about creating a dialogue with the people consuming it, Ceebo said