Stevie G: UK’s finest have plenty to say

Rap's identity crisis has been a regular theme in my columns recently and events of the last week have cemented my feeling that there is a big divide at the moment. Beefs such as Kendrick versus Drake were more than simply rap battles: Lamar is concerned that the whole culture of hip-hop is being taken from us.

The pop rap of Drake serves a purpose and remains important to many, but Kendrick was right to express his concerns. This year’s rap album of the year, by Clipse, which I recently reviewed, is another attempt by hip-hop to take the culture back, and a few more recent events closer to home got me thinking about this culture over the weekend.

First up, Jim Legxacy released his long-awaited mixtape, Black British Music. This is an album that will rival Clipse in some end-of-year lists, and it’s a noteworthy addition to the canon of music from which it takes its title.

Jim Legxacy has previously released a few EPs and mixtapes, but he is probably best known as the producer and co-writer of the massive success story Sprinter, by Dave and Central Cee. Ironically, both of these rappers, who are two of the most notable in the UK, now represent two diametrically opposed sides of a coin. Dave continues to operate as one of the most respected rappers around, while Central Cee, who is also very talented, has recently churned out two pretty average singles, with Sexxy Red and Drake. More of the latter shortly.

Black British Music is a mixtape that should be listened to in a broader context. It’s more Massive Attack, Ms Dynamite, Little Simz, or The Streets than anything coming out in the pop-rap category of the now, and its musical template is broad and uniquely British.

The Streets aren’t a black British band and Massive Attack are multi-cultural, too, but all of these acts created music that crossed genres in an effortless way. Garage, soul, Indie, reggae, jungle, rap, grime and other genres are all over this album, and it’s sample-heavy and very unique.

I doubt Jim Legxacy himself was old enough to remember the sound system culture that brought us Soul 11 Soul and Massive Attack, but he represents a new generation, like PinkPantheress, who still have this music in their system, and who want to do things their way. 

American influences (Kanye, etc) are obvious, but the mixtape/album is well titled, and this is essential black British music for 2025.

A more recognisable face of black British music right now is probably D Block Europe. Despite most adults I met asking me who they were, D Block Europe (or at least Young Adz) did two sold-out shows last week at Live at the Marquee in Cork.

This is massively popular music among youngsters. I like D Block Europe. They make hooky, catchy rap and drill, with throwaway lyrics, and they release music seemingly every two seconds.

By the time they left Cork, Young Adz had dropped another video, featuring scenes from his visit, and already it was all over TikTok and doing good.

There is a place for D Block and Central Cee and they are all very talented. There’s not much substance there, though, and during the show itself he went through the motions in second gear, though the crowd loved it.

The atmosphere was great, even if the show lacked something; but, on the other hand, they are producing music and videos and content every five minutes, and their fans love them.

It’s probably again a reflection of where we are in 2025.

On one side of things, Tyler the Creator dropped a very exciting surprise new album, while the Clipse is in heavy rotation. Freddie Gibbs and the Alchemist also came through.

But those recent Drake singles and Central Cee’s other one seem very throwaway and cliched by comparison, and having seen Kendrick and others live, when I watched D Block I felt that some part of the culture is being eroded for a new generation not lucky enough to have grown up with the same standard of live shows we did. It’s definitely not aimed at my age group, though, so that’s fair.

And with youngsters like Jim Legxacy making powerful music, we are gonna be alright!