Hidden Gems: 20 UK Tracks We're Loving Right Now
The UK is a breeding ground for groundbreaking music—where genres blur, and creativity reigns supreme. From East London to Luton, the UK music scene continues to unearth gems that often fly under the radar. This second instalment of Hidden Gems shines a spotlight on tomorrow's hits and chart-toppers. Sound good? Let's dive in.
Collage property of The Culture Crypt.
"Rice and Stew" - Zino Vinci
The Culture Crypt's Issue II cover star Zino Vinci is back. Following his tendai collaboration "Stratford Job Centre", "Rice and Stew" is deliciously smooth and serene—highlighting the rapper's knack for blending grime sensibilities with soulful storytelling and his one-of-a-kind, comic book-inspired rap persona. Chronicling his rise and childhood, the single sees Zino flex his storytelling abilities over Dom Valentino's nostalgia-coded beat. With an animated music video to match, "Rice and Stew" solidifies itself as a masterclass in storytelling.
"onmylonely/bottlinman" - afrosurrealist w/ hayez
Veiled producer, beat-flipper, and soulful grime sampler afrosurrealist continues to push boundaries of UK hip-hop with the hayez-assisted "onmylonely/bottlinman". Following his standout production on "Memory Lane" from Ceebo's remarkable LAMBETHNOTLA project, and his Skepta SoundCloud flip, "triple plat", which remixes the 2024 track "Gas Me Up (Diligent)"—this new offering solidifies his beat alchemy. Taken from his stellar four-track mini EP #buybritishday, released this October, "onmylonely/bottlinman" perfectly captures afrosurrealist's soulful sensibilities and reverent nods to the golden era of pirate radio grime. Here's to an even bigger 2025 for the rising artist.
"Big Deel" - DEELA & Genio Bambino w/ BXKS
DEELA is truly a "Big Deel". With a steady set of Afro-tinged scorchers in her back pocket, the Nigerian rapper has raised the bar with her latest EP, Good Girl No Dey Pay in collaboration with beatmaker Genio Bambino. While tracks like "Patience Ozokwor" offer laid-back, soulful vibes and the title track explores a mix of old-school Afrobeats with modern twists, it's "Big Deel"—her collab with Luton lyricist BXKS—that truly shines. With sharp hi-hats, booming, trap-injected 808s, and effortless synergy between DEELA and BXKS, the track has the XP to dominate club nights and DJ sets. Through Good Girl No Dey Pay, DEELA solidifies her place as a standout artist, blending nostalgic cues with fresh, genre-defying quirks.
"So Good" - Edája
Constructed from emotion and executed with R&B elegance, Edája's September drop, "So Good", lives up to its namesake. The track offers listeners a revealing glimpse into the direction of Edája's next body of work. Produced by PB, "So Good" highlights the singer's signature vocal grace, paired with a silky, minimalist beat. As always, the vocalist delivers undeniable star power and soul-infused vocals, making "So Good" another standout addition to her R&B vault.
"BIG BOY" - bib sama.
bib sama. is having an incredible 2024. The 24-year-old North London rapper, singer, and genre-blender is an undeniable star, thanks to his stellar latest project, DOGMA. While tracks like "SKYLINES ('09)" and the TayoLoxs-assisted "OH YEA" have gained traction online, "BIG BOY" steals the show for us. Clocking in at just over one minute, this drum-and-bass, breakbeat-driven gem feels like a smattering of Goldie's pioneering production on Timeless, Sonic Adventure 2 nostalgia, and bib's magnetic charisma. With DOGMA offering 12 dynamic tracks—choosing a favourite wasn't easy, but this anime and electronic music-infused wanderlust is truly special.
"façade" - Mazvita
If Mazvita isn't on your radar yet, get familiar. The 21-year-old Manchester alt-R&B singer has unveiled some of her most impressive work to date with the obsessive destructive nature EP. While tracks like "intergalactic" introduce a light, ethereal tone and the title track delves into darker, moodier territory, it's "façade" that truly stands out. With groovy, disco-house-inspired production underpinning her subdued vocal delivery and airy melodies, Mazvita strikes a compelling balance between vibrancy and vulnerability. Through obsessive destructive nature, she cements herself as a voice to watch, seamlessly blending indie-R&B soundboards with poetry-driven lyricism.
"Too Many Lies" - Floetic & TayoLoxs
Recently, rising CR0 rhymer Floetic teamed up with producer TayoLoxs for their new track, "Too Many Lies", accompanied by video game-inspired visuals. This grime-infused offering sees Floetic addressing authenticity, expressing his disdain for cash-grab artists over a bouncy beat. After a year of solid performances both on stage and in the booth, 2025 is shaping up to be a bright year for Floetic.
"SHUSH" - Chy Cartier
Chy Cartier is back with "SHUSH", a drill-fuelled banger. Known for her sharp vocal delivery and confidence, the North London rapper fuses catchy hooks with hard-hitting bars, delivering a track that's both infectious and screwface-worthy. "SHUSH" exemplifies her growing presence in the UK rap scene—a space she continues to impress with each passing release. With her distinctive persona and one-of-a-kind tonality, Chy Cartier proves once again why she's a rising star to watch for 2025.
"hausfrau" - kwes e w/ Zackavelli & YT
Kent rapper kwes e's new project off topic is a tight 11-track odyssey. Following the viral "juggin on an autumn evening", off topic results from years of relentless dedication to the rapper's craft and artistry. "hausfrau" shines among its standout tracks, featuring Zackavelli and YT over Boy Red's production. The project is experimental, with tracks like the electro-tinged "hamlet" and fast-paced "yung and lit" catching our eye, but "hausfrau" is the true standout that stuck with us. It's a strong addition to his growing catalogue of boundary-pushing UK rap gems.
"Bloody Bouquets" - Demae
Songwriting legend and UK R&B star Demae made a much-anticipated return in September with her EP Deliver Me. Among its highlights is "Bloody Bouquets", a dreamy R&B wonder produced by Devin Morrison. The flowery offering is a masterclass in ethereal neo-soul—radiating both emotion and timeless artistry, cementing itself as a standout in Demae's growing repertoire.
"All For You" - Xambi
Underrated five-piece neo-soul band Xambi returns triumphantly with their second single, "All For You"—a three-minute showcase of their rich, jazzy instrumentation and undeniable talent. Building on the momentum of their collaboration with our Issue III cover star Saiming on "Take Your Time", this latest offering leans into the pensive and percussive. An extended instrumental lead-in sets the tone, with lush horns and intricate flourishes adding depth to every moment. With "All For You," Xambi continues to carve out a distinct niche. Here's hoping we won't have to wait too long for their next release.
"self respect" - Nolais
Acclaimed North London singer-songwriter and producer recently Nolais returned with Out of Love, a standout EP anchored by its closer, "self respect". Following his emotive single "i know" and co-writing on Jim Legxacy's "aggressive", "self respect" emerges as a wintry R&B ballad. Its downtempo feel is driven by mellow chords and shimmering claps, offering a poignant look into the mind of Nolais. If you haven't heard "self respect" yet—check it out..
"AVIREX" - Brooklyn Lodovico
As far as first attempts go, this is impressive. 21-year-old South London rapper Brooklyn Lodovico makes a bold debut with "AVIREX", an embattled JayDottCee track that sketches out a bold mural of Lodovico's formative struggles. With a narrative style that channels the spirit of East Coast legends like Prodigy of Mobb Deep and the UK's very own Potter Payper—Lodovico uses this release to establish himself as a serious rhyming contender. Based on this, Brooklyn Lodovico is one to keep an eye on in the months ahead…
"SPiCEMUNNi" - CIEL
Rising UK rapper Ciel recently dropped "SPiCEMUNNi"—a fiery, trap-sculpted track loaded with sharp boasts and undeniable charisma. With its infectious energy and confident delivery, "SPiCEMUNNi" captures Ciel's flair for crafting head-turning anthems without overcomplicating the formula. This track, alongside October's "WAXXON" has us reaching for the replay button.
"Mango Tree (Remix)" - Aaradhna w/ Children of Zeus
New Zealand soulstress Aaradhna taps Manchester's Children of Zeus for a stunning remix of her track "Mango Tree". Produced by the duo and featuring Tyler Daley's silky vocals, the remix blends Aaradhna's glacial warmth with Children of Zeus' soulful edge, creating a version that feels undeniably definitive. With Sweet Surrender, Aaradhna's 2024 comeback LP, hot off the press and Tyler's solo effort Son of Zeus already making waves—this cross-continental link-up is a seamless showcase of the two parties' abilities.
"LIKE THAT" - Paul Stephan, BexBlu & t.o
Grime emcee Paul Stephan teams up with producers BexBlu and t.o for TWO THOUSAND AND NEVER, a raw seven-track EP steeped in heritage and adoration for UK and US hip-hop's extensive lore. Featuring sharp flows and meticulous sample work, the standout track, "like that" shines with its minimal drum-driven two-step production, blending tight bars to craft a real cypher-pleaser.
"Different Calibre" - namesbliss & scruz
Following his debut album Lively Experience, namesbliss returns with "Different Calibre", a high-energy grime track, featuring longtime collaborator scruz. The song delivers rapid-fire flows over a hard-hitting, neo-grime beat—its controlled chaos encapsulates the track's frenzied energy and tight execution. The collaboration continues namesbliss' momentum after his album, solidifying his presence in the neo-grime pantheon.
"All Your Time" - Vicky Trantou
West London's Vicky Trantou returned after a year-long break with September's "All Your Time", a smooth, guitar-laced R&B cut. Produced by sunsetdrver and Speech, the track marries gentle vocals, steady drums, and timeless songwriting. Vicky's been quietly carving out her space in the UK R&B scene, and it's clear with "All Your Time" (and it's online popularity), she'll be here for a while.
"WHO'S THAT GIRL?" - Nia Chennai
Nia Chennai is the future of UK R&B. Her 2023 project, Diary Is A Waste of Paper ranked amongst our favourite R&B releases from last year. Following her single "So Pretty When You Cry", "WHO'S THAT GIRL?" blends impressive vocal riffs, Britpop flourishes and R&B melodies to craft something truly unique. The track is a playful exploration of self-discovery and confidence, with Nia’s smooth vocal delivery at the forefront. Its laid-back statement piece is contrasted by frank and bold songwriting.
"Same Place" - Joe James
From his BEAST LIVING project, Essex rapper Joe James and his song "Same Place" has caught our attention with hypnotising piano licks and a slick bars. The track strikes a perfect balance between slick bars and head-nodding tempos—showcasing his talent for fusing bold lyricism with subversive beats. A standout moment from his latest work, it's definitely worth checking out if you haven't already.