Features
19 MCs who made a mark on 2015
This lot fuck shit up like David Moyes
11 Little Simz
It's been impossible to ignore Islington's finest Little Simz, especially since her debut album, 'A Curious Tale Of Bands + Persons', was released in 2015. A serious amount of globetrotting later and Jay-Z and Kendrick Lamar are said to be among fans. A lyricist's lyricist, her latest video 'Gratitude' looks at student protests in South Africa.
12 Mez
Nottingham's Mez enjoyed a sharp rise this year, breaking through at a rate of knots to take up a support position on Kano's UK tour and perform on-stage with Stormzy at his sold-out Koko gig in October. While his style may be admittedly a little rough around the edges, his infectious energy is backed-up by serious lyrical pedigree - as evidenced on the scorching 'Next In Grime'. TF
13 Mic Ty
"First things first I'm Ty not Tyrone" barks 19-year-old Mic Ty on 'Knewham', the best of a slew of tracks he's recorded over the past 12 months. Closely linked to Big Zuu in particular, his music can tackle some outlandish subject matter and although aggressive and volatile on mic, he appears to have a better grasp of the scene he operates in better than most his age. Regular radio appearances punctuated a year that also saw him release debut project 'Av Dis', but the real story is what's to come. Big talent. TF
14 Potter Payper
East Londoner Potter wracks up the views online – go and watch his Fire In The Booth with Charlie Sloth for the levels. He might look like your local Irish paperboy but this guy talks some seriously greasy shit and his album '24' is one of the best UK releases of 2015. CF
15 Rocks FOE
One of the few on this list to have made his way through working with independent, dance-centric labels - his debut EP 'Legion' for Black Acre is a stunner - Rocks is more than meets the eye. An accomplished beatmaker as well as an MC, his work across 'Legion' smacks of an artist with more than just fire in the belly. While 'Hold That (L)' lands like a missile in the dance, (it's a certified reload favourite on the radio too), his outside-the-box thinking and conceptual output - matched by an ability to switch up his flow at ease - point toward a prolonged career. TF
