Welcome to JP’s UK Culture Picks, your one-stop monthly column for all the best in UK music and culture! Expect everything from my favourite tracks and albums of the month to random YouTube finds, fire food spots to club night recommendations. You can find me on IG: @josephjppatterson.
Roll on, road rap revival… Roll on!
Road rap, “real rap”, UK street rap—whatever you wanna call it, it’s a sound and a feeling I believe the wider scene has been waiting to be restored for a good while now, but thankfully, some of its premier names are starting to make their way back to the front.
For those unaware of its roots, road rap emerged in the mid-2000s at the intersection of Brixton’s P.D.C and, specifically, Giggs from Peckham, which marked something of a passing of the torch in UK street music during a time when grime’s first wave was still on heat. That evolution kicked into overdrive when Giggs put out “Talking Da Hardest” in 2007, following his 2006 mixtape with Blade Brown, Hollow Meetz Blade—a period when legacies were being formed and the blueprint was still being written. You really had to be there.
Now maybe it’s just me, with my old-head hat on, but something’s been a bit off in UK rap for a minute now; not in terms of output, but in what’s actually being said. There’s no shortage of tracks about the wins, the glow-ups, being “up” and all that. But where are the ones that properly map out how someone got there in the first place? Because when the flex does come, it hits differently when you can actually trace the journey behind it all. That’s when the designer talk, diamond upgrades and lifestyle switch-up starts to carry a different kinda weight—less about status, more about the story that got them there. And, in my opinion, that kind of rap will never go out of style, regardless of where a rapper is at in their life.
You can still see traces of that approach in rappers like Youngs Teflon—who, despite clout-chaser Trap Lore Ross’ recent attempt to downplay his career, hasn’t let his foot of the gas since 2006—as well as Tiny Boost, Little Torment and the recently released Asco and Marnz Malone. However, with the long-awaited return of legends like Blade Brown, Joe Black and Squeeks, it feels like the scene may be about to shift again, with substance regaining focus in the form of stronger storytelling and lyricism rooted in grounded realities.
Props to the young “UK underground” rappers though, who have been pushing our thing onto the international stage over the past 18 months. Their lived Gen Z experiences and leftfield production are definitely carving out a unique lane, even if it’s not for everyone... Would I still rather throw on a Blade Brown mixtape than an EsDeeKid one? Yes, more than likely—but that’s just where I’m at in life right now. I generally lean towards motivational trap talk anyway; it helps get me through the week sometimes. A lot of these newer cats don’t operate in that space, nor are they trying to, and that is okay. Variation in style is a good thing in the bigger picture; they’ve got their own thing, their own audience, their own place in the scene. It’s just a different kind of energy.
Road rap, at its best, has never just been about the roads—it’s also about what spills out of them: the ambition it fuels and the consequences that could come from it. And right now, British rap feels like it’s entering another cycle where those stories—properly told, properly felt—might have another, and hopefully longer, time in the sun.
Did Central Cee just drop one of the best grime tunes of the year in “DC10”?
Short answer: YES.
Charlie Sloth, my g. We need to talk…
First question, Charlie, me old friend: who on your team is feeding you these off-key AI creatives? And secondly, how and why are they making it out into the world? Not too long ago, you dropped that AI Biggie and 2Pac freestyle in the name of your premium vodka brand, Au Vodka. People weren’t happy about those two icons being used in that way, but it still got pushed out. And now we’re back again: your latest—an AI video of you cast as a minister, cross and Bible in hand, Afro on display, preaching about hedonism, Ibiza, and… Au Vodka. We get it: you’re Milled-off now (well deserved!) so cultural backlash probably doesn’t faze you. But day by day, this kind of thing chips away at your legacy.
A lot of people took issue with the Afro, not realising you’re part Black through your East African granddad—but that context hasn’t been part of your public story, so the reaction was probably to be expected for someone who’s white-passing. For me, the bigger issue was the use of Christianity in a way that felt genuinely disrespectful. Would you have taken the same liberties with another religion? I’m not sure, but it was the wrong move either way. Look: you’ve contributed a lot to the UK scene, and it doesn’t feel like this should be how your legacy is left. There’s been no apology, only the video being deleted—your call on that. I just have one ask: please do better, if nothing else, for the sake of your own legacy.
EP Of The Month: Skepta, Más Tiempo Vol. 2
Skepta’s house invasion continues with this celebratory release, coinciding with his residency at Hï Ibiza alongside his Más Tiempo avengers, as well as Afro-house legend Black Coffee, who will feature every Saturday night at the mega-venue. Expect this set of tech-house stompers (“Do It SK” is my percy!) to light up all the party islands and UK raves this summer. 5/5
Freedom! Through! Fitness! Meet Isaiah James, the mastermind behind one of London’s most important platforms for young people
You might be hard-pressed to find someone who has more passion for bettering his community right now than Isaiah James, a respected UK community leader known for his work in youth empowerment through sport. After 15 on-and-off years in prison, he came home with a renewed purpose and founded Freedom Through Fitness, a brilliant initiative that uses training, football and wellbeing programmes to help young people “build discipline, confidence and positive habits”, with mental health checks always at the centre of it.
Complex UK recently went down to FTF’s Legacy Unity Cup event at Merky FC in Croydon, and the energy was great throughout, with people—young and old—from the local community and beyond there to enjoy the day of fun and football, but also to honour the life and legacy of Stephen Lawrence, who was killed in a racist attack back in 1993. What Isaiah James is doing is super important—we need more of it in London and across the country. Support the movement!
Walé Adeyemi has just relaunched his eponymous label. What a time to be alive.
Tracks Of The Month
Tracks added for April 2026:
youwhatmate, “Deep Dive”
ANOTR & 54 Ultra, “Talk To You”
Skepta, “Do It SK”
Blade Brown f/ Benny The Butcher, “Blue Marlin”
Chase & Status f/ Blade Brown, “Doin It More”
Central Cee, “DC10”
Chy Cartier, “So LDN”
Jim Legxacy, “idk idk”
DC f/ Bawo, “Misunderstood”
Young T & Bugsey f/ SadBoi, “Rice Bowl”
TR Gobrazy, “Dem Man”
Ceebo, “Parable Of A Skinnyman”
RIGGA, “Rush”
Wesley Joseph f/ Jorja Smith, “July”
Ama f/ Brent Faiyaz, “Need It Bad”
Bellah, “Critical Condition”
Nolay, “Girl In The Front”
