Another year, another list. Over the last 12 months we have seen and heard A LOT of MCs (old and new) doing their thing, representing for this little island we call home. From underground Hip Hop and leftfield Rap all the way through to chart topping Grime and Drill, this list sees several sub-genres join forces in Marvel like fashion to form the supergenre that we proudly call UK Rap. The list documents some of the biggest and best Rap music of the year, including influential and important underground records to straight up un-ignorable bangers.

Legendary artists Ghetts, D Double E, Footsie and Kano appear alongside underground champions turned chart toppers Nines and Headie One. Manchester’s Meekz made a huge name for himself with a debut EP and some hard to ignore visuals - with Director KC Locke at the helm – all whilst Little Simz cracked on in a lane of her own, as she does. Cult rapper SL made a statement with a strong year, as did Che Lingo, who forced his way out of the alt rap scene with a more commercial angled debut LP. Coops, Pitch 92 & Lord Apex fly the UK Hip Hop flag, whilst acclaimed jack of all trades Chimpo danced around the UK Rap banner with an overdue bass infused debut album. Nayana IZ took big strides in the early stages of her career with a debut EP release and BXKS pulls up from seemingly nowhere with two amazing singles. To put the best UK Rap from the last 12 months into a list of 10 is in fact impossible. We stretched it to 15, and it was still mad hard, but here you go…

Nick Gibbons is a DJ and broadcaster from Manchester. Check out his residency on Reprezent here

Nick Léon is a DJ and producer from Miami. He's a crew member of NAAFI and Space Tapes, follow him on SoundCloud here

I kept listening to club music at home despite this year's catastrophic shock. All these tracks made me feel very deeply and I can't wait to hear them on the dancefloor.

object blue is a producer and DJ based in London. Follow her on SoundCloud here and buy her pandemic mask merch from Bandcamp here

Seeing Yung.Raj collaborate with one of my favourite MC's was pretty epic. The tune is a deep banger which shows off Yung.raj's tight production and Jammz brought the heat in the bars. Just an overall great tune and I'm sure it'd get rewinds on the dancefloor as well; Mez’s ‘Silus’ is one of my favourite beats I've heard this year. Add his bars to them and it's bound to become a regular in my playlist. They fit together like a glove and it's a high energy track that I've been listening to on repeat; Taken from ‘Le French Vol. 5’, Skwig's track is one of my favourites on this compilation. The vocal sample is chopped perfectly and the ebb and flow of the track is great, really makes me miss playing DJ sets cause this would fit in all my sets!; Bell Curve creates heavy buzzing basslines and metallic sound effects for an absolute deep banger of a track, another one that's really making me miss playing DJ sets and being on dancefloors. I just love the mood this tune brings!; Stain has been putting out some amazing tunes off late, but this single which dropped earlier in the year is my pick of the lot. The strong percussion rhythm with the deep rolling bassline just works so well and moves from section to section bringing new changes and flavours throughout. It's stuck in my playlist since it dropped!; Tanzen teamed up with Lacuna for this absolute half-time banger of a tune with a guitar solo. Not much more to say than it's just an absolute banger honestly! The bits where the solo ends and goes back into frantic bass just seems fitting for 2020's energy; Anushka mixes her amazing vocals with a heavy footwork-jungle inspired beat and I think it showcases her influences so perfectly while creating something really special with this tune. The vocal lines are ear-worms and I find myself singing them randomly sometimes, which is why this tune definitely gets into this list!; DJ Swisha continues to release music which inspires so much. This tune has a constant energy throughout with a minutely changing vocal chop which really brings out an amazing groove and it's one that I would LOVE to dance to in a club. I think it really brings out the power of repetition and is just produced so well; Cash's tune ‘Fenway 20’ from the 22-2 beat challenge earlier in the year is genuinely such a journey. The 10-minute long track never feels that long because it just flows so beautifully. The two steppy sections with the vocal chops just get stuck in your head & the bed of ambience just makes me smile; Nate08 is one of my favourite Indian beatmakers, always bringing lush, soulful vibes. This beat has a Nate08 vibe elevated with Lojal's beautifully laid-back vocals and rap lines. I've found myself listening to this quite a bit at nights and it's always a pick when I want to chill and zone out.

Oceantied is a producer from Bengaluru. Follow him on SoundCloud here

I have known Chino’s track for a long time and from the first time I heard it during a Chino live performance I was waiting for it to be released. Before that I asked him to give me the track so I could play it and it’s one of my favorite tracks. So I was happy when I finally got it on vinyl this year. The whole EP is really great, but this one track has a super positive vibe with elements of italo, music from 80s, which I really like; I'm a fan of Jensen’s production. I like his electro style, the dynamic and energy in his tracks. He is one of my favourite producers for some time now. I recommend the whole EP which is very good; This Synth Alien track is beautiful slow electro which puts me in a melancholic mood and calms me down. I love how Synth Alien builds the atmosphere in his tracks and in this one I really like the synth line; Patricia Kokett has his own style which is very unique. When I listen to ‘The Bizarr’ record I hear a whole palette of emotions. The most beautiful music for me is that which evokes various emotions while listening to it and this is how I feel with ‘The Bizarr’ especially the track ‘Amulet’; Here’s a cool acid-electro track from Alonzo with a robot vocal which could be from another space. I can’t wait to play it again on the dancefloor when life finally comes back to normal after the pandemic; It was hard for me to decide which track from this ‘NeuGrau’ EP I like the most. Well I like all of them the same! For example ‘Get Down’ and ‘Howl’ is cool as it sounds like a proper band with cool vocal and great bass guitar sound. The record brings the sound of a rough 80s/90s darkwave with punk and industrial attitude. I especially like the vocal in ‘Beneath The Skin’ which is very hipnotic so it’s hard to stop listening; This Chupacabras tune is distorted, dark, raw and dirty with a cool bassline and groove. The sound I really like to play in my sets; Radiation 30376 is mine and Chino’s project which we started one year ago, so it is a bit weird and awkward to put here on the list our own track, but the thing is that I really like to make music with Chino. I think the music we made is a nice fusion of both of our styles. ‘Git’ was released on the Syntetyk ‘House Of Troubles’ compilation where you can find great tracks made by some really cool producers; Dyktando is one of my favorite Polish producers with his raw, distorted and dirty sound. His music is a nice mutant hybrid of EBM and industrial-techno. I also want to shout out Nite Fleit’s ‘Can’t You See’ which isn’t on Bandcamp but is on Discogs!

Olivia is a DJ, producer and promoter from Krakow. She is part of the Radar, Chrono Bross and Oramics collectives and performs in Morskie Oko and Radiation 30376. Follow her on SoundCloud here

These are the tracks I repeatedly listened to at home. Since the whole pandemic happened and my schedule dramatically changed to working from home, I spend most of my time in my small studio apartment. But that really didn't affect what I listen to, I've still listened to these dance tracks because it cheers me up and lifts my mood. As an artist who has been struggling a lot with creative work this year, I can't appreciate enough the artists who can still deliver such wonderful music for us. There have been so many things happening at once in this country in 2020, but clearly I felt that music is really the thing that helps me when we go through tough times.

Qrion is a DJ and producer from Sapporo, Japan and based in San Francisco, USA. Follow her on SoundCloud here

Two exciting talents, Coventry resident Pa Salieu linked up with London’s Backroad Gee to express the lengths they’d go to for their families. The energy in this link up is felt from all angles, much like the many angles they were giving in the official video. Backroad Gee also graces us with, in my opinion, the lyric of the year: "Tell my babes, off her wig. We're going to war." One for the history books, one of the biggest quotables of the year. 'My Family' deserves the wheel ups, the mosh pits, the drinks thrown in the air – all of that good stuff because it’s a smash hit!

If you’ve watched the documentary Defending Digga D, you’ll know that this is the artist’s first release after his twelve month sentence and what a comeback! I bet you’re singing the chorus in your head right now?! Unbelievably catchy and a guaranteed moshpit bonanza – helmet maybe? Sure! Digga D also brought back the fun in music videos, really embracing the blue traditional Cripset theme with the bouncing hydraulic lowriders.

One of my favourite afrobeat artists, Olamide never lets me down. One of the many hits off of his brand new album 'Carpe Diem', this is a collaboration I never knew I needed. Badboy Timz has an energy that makes you want to let loose. Although Olamide is not in the official video, we have to give it a honourable mention because he provided us with two visual concepts: a normal video and one with Virtual Reality (VR). Who doesn't like OPTIONS ay? After a difficult 2020 we’ve had, 2021 is finally #Loading (see what I did there). This is one of the song’s that I can’t wait to hear on the dance floor next year!

After a hiatus from music, Abra’s signature deep voice and opening line won us all over on this one. "Ayy, spin this coupe" not only lives in our heads rent free but is also now another term for the ‘three - point turn’ manoeuvre. ‘On Deck’ is an anthem, a flex, and most definitely a mood. If, or when we ever enter mass gatherings again, when this play’s it’s a TURN UP or GET OUT THE WAY situation.

'Jerusalema' is a South African song which gained global recognition during the height of the pandemic. It created unifying moments across the world stemming from the dance routine created by an Angolan dance troupe who shared a video of themselves dancing to the song. The #JerusalemaChallenge became a viral phenomenon, which saw nun’s, army troops and construction workers getting involved. Trust me that Uncle or Aunt who doesn’t dance at family functions is likely to get up and get involved. I like to call it the modern day ‘Candy’ dance, minus the leather pants – you will definitely need a bit of stretch in the jeans. Take it from me, we will be teaching this dance to generations for decades to come.

This song reminded me of the beauty of duets - more of these in 2021 please! I remember my neighbour messaging me during the lockdown to ask me what song it is that I keep blazing at (mainly just but also) unjust hours. Friends, it was the passionate sounds of Bob Marley's grandson Skip Marley and H.E.R collaborating. I’m just happy I can’t say it wasn’t in vain because it’s been nominated for ‘Best r'n'b Song’ for the 63rd Annual Grammy awards. What more do I need to say to convince you to add this song to your playlist?

Who doesn’t want to party with the Jagaban?! Midas The Jagaban bursts onto the scene at the peak of the lockdown! The 19-year-old South East Londoner dropped her second single and gained viral success. She’s on track for a great 2021 and until we can actually 'Party With A Jagaban' (whatever this may consist of) we will just throw lonesome parties in our living rooms.

Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion created this anthem for the masses! Twerkin’ is associated with the clubs, a good night out or just letting loose at a boujee brunch, however we all found ways to twerk in our bedrooms, back garden, dining tables. I don’t twerk, and it’s not because I think I’m better than everyone… I just don’t have the assets or the rhythm in the area it’s needed most. I’m usually the person cheering the twerkers on, giving them the ‘AY AY AY’ loudly and in abundance. However on this occasion I HAD to get involved - I was rolling on floors, legs in the air and all sorts. Thanks to this song, I’ve adopted the twerkin’ spirit.

Oxlade has had the best start to his musical career, earlier in the year he released his first project Oxygene which showcased many of his talents. His lead single ‘Away’ touched many during the earlier days of lockdown as it provided an uplifting, rhythmic escape from what was going on in the world. He reached many of Nigeria’s music charts and he also performed it live on Big Brother Nigeria. To round off an already amazing year Champagne Papi aka Drake recently gave him his rare ‘real recognise real’ nod by posting the banger on his Instagram story.

Remi Burgz is a DJ and broadcaster from London. Check out her show on Reprezent and follow her on Instagram here

My ten tunes are tracks which have kept me going during this very strange and depressing 2020. I am grateful for these artists plus others that I have played in mixes and radio shows that I have done this year. Lord knows their music has pulled me through.

Special mentions go to the likes of Rupture, Deep Jungle, Sneaker Social Club, and Houndstooth whose output has been amazing this year.

SHERELLE is a DJ, broadcaster and co-founder of Hoover Sound records. She’s from London, follow her on SoundCloud here