Every year, UK Black History Month celebrates Black British people by amplifying histories, highlighting injustices, and celebrating the rich tapestry of identities, stories and accomplishments of the Black community. One of the great pillars of Black life is music, so in honor of UK Black History Month 2025, we’re highlighting some of the most exciting Black British artists of today.
This story of modern Black British music begins with the Windrush generation. Encouraged by the British government, Caribbean people moved to the UK to work and rebuild after World War II, bringing their soundsystem culture with them. Dub, rocksteady, reggae, soul and blues records were played on homemade soundsystem stacks, at homes and in street parties. From there, genres like ragga, dancehall and bashment evolved, and the UK created its own flavor of rap alongside them.
The 1990s were an explosively creative time in Black British music. Hip-hop acts like Jehst and Roots Manuva and trip-hop leaders Tricky and Massive Attack brought distinctly British sounds, storytelling and attitudes into the popular music consciousness. Jungle and drum & bass signaled a turning point, as a new generation of MCs started rhyming on breakbeats that blended hip-hop and techno.
Garage toughened up American house tracks — with fewer vocals, rawer production styles, bigger basslines and even bigger drum swings — and developed breakthrough acts like Craig David and The Streets. When the kids who grew up going to jungle and garage raves started making their own music, they created grime, paving the way for heavyweights like Dizzee Rascal, Wiley, Kano, Skepta, Stormzy and more.
In recent years, Black British music has been reinventing itself on its own terms. Grime is battling with drill for cultural dominance, as artists like Central Cee break into the mainstream. Then there’s the huge influence of African diasporic genres like amapiano and afrobeats, which has led to the creation of Afroswing. A melodic evolution of funky house, afrobeats, rap and R&B, Afroswing has exploded in popularity thanks to acts like Pa Salieu and J Hus, who draw from UK street sounds and their mutual Gambian heritage.
In 2025, the UK music scene has never been more exciting. Rap has diversified sonically, with artists like Pozer, NSG, Jim Legxacy, Cristale and Darkoo working across drill, Afroswing, dancehall and electronic beats. Jungle is enjoying a revival, with young DJ/producers like SHERELLE, Tim Reaper and Nia Archives putting their own twists on classic breakbeats. R&B is blossoming, too, with acts like Ascending alum Jordan Adetunji, FLO and Odeal, and the ground between neo-soul and jazz is evergreen, with artists like Greentea Peng, Ego Ella May and Kwaku Asante making their best work to date.
To celebrate UK Black History Month 2025, dive into this collection of cross-genre tracks — featuring Rachel Chinouriri, Ascending artist YT, ktmelodies, Mahalia, Bipolar Sunshine, Blood Orange and more — and discover more about the contemporary sound of Black British music.
LISTEN TO THE BLACK BRITISH MUSIC PLAYLIST ON SOUNDCLOUD
Pa Salieu, “Big Smile (Pose For Me)” feat. ODUMODUBLVCK
The British rapper-producer explores his Gambian heritage on ‘Afrikan Alien,’ which is nominated for the 2025 Mercury Music Prize.
NSG, “Venus” feat. LYVIA
The East London group blends Afrobeats, Afroswing, rap and R&B in their catchy sound; this track with vocalist LYVIA dropped in 2025.
ktmelodies, “pack up ya bags”
On this 2025 track, rising London rapper ktmelodies calls for good vibes in the dance over electronic beats. Learn more about ktmelodies’ artist journey here.
TSB, DC, Cristale, “PAP£R PLAN£$”
BRIT Award-winning producer TSB links with rappers DC and Cristale for this bubbling 2025 track.
Pozer, “Mood Swings”
One of the hottest new names in UK rap, South London’s Pozer gets moody on this track from his 2025 album, ‘Against All Odds.’
Jim Legxacy, “stick”
On his critically acclaimed 2025 album ‘black british music,’ rapper Jim Legxacy showcases his experimental, catchy sound.
deed0t, “Sonny Fodera”
On this Afrobeats-infused homage to tech house DJ/producer Sonny Fodera, Manchester rapper deed0t shows his playful side.
YT, “Sayin Stuff”
London rapper YT dropped his ‘OI!’ album in 2025, going on to drop this latest track “Sayin Stuff” exclusively on SoundCloud, as a thank you to his day-one fans. Find out more about YT through his SoundCloud Ascending story here.
Darkoo, “Like Dat”
On her latest album, ‘$exy Girl $ummer (Vol. 1),’ British-Nigerian vocalist Darkoo turns the heat up.
Lil Macks, “Demon Time”
Somali-British rapper Lil Macks is gearing up to drop his debut project, ‘Blocc Party,’ in 2025. Learn more about Lil Macks and his artist journey here.
Jordan Adetunji, “Drama”
Belfast-based Jordan Adentunji is bringing a modern R&B flavor to the UK scene. Learn more about Jordan through his SoundCloud Ascending story here.
Jaz Karis, Wilfy D, “On My Way”
R&B singer Jaz Karis collaborates with producer Wilfy D on this silky smooth 2025 track.
Mahalia, “Pick Up The Pace” feat. Bayka
SOULFUL R&B Vocalist Mahalia showcases her Jamaican heritage on this track with Bayka, from her 2025 EP ‘Luvergirl.’
DAMEDAME*, “Freedom” feat. Jorja Smith
Birmingham-based production duo DAMEDAME* recruits vocalist Jorja Smith for this 2025 track, blending Afroswing, jazz and R&B. Learn more about DAMEDAME* and their artist journey as a duo here.
KILIMANJARO, AMAKA, “Better Days”
UK-based Zambian producer KILIMANJARO continues his stellar collaborative run on this amapiano-meets-R&B track with vocalist AMAKA.
FLO, KAYTRANADA, “The Mood”
R&B-pop girl group FLO links up with Canadian hitmaker KAYTRANADA on this sensual 2025 track.
Ego Ella May, “What We Do”
British-Nigerian jazz vocalist Ego Ella May showcases her dulcet, neo-soul tones on this 2025 track.
Odeal, “London Summers”
Blending Afroswing, pop, R&B and soul, London’s Odeal creates a romantic mood on this track from his 2025 album, ‘The Summer That Saved Me.’
Rio Rainz, “17”
Hailing from East London, Rio Rainz crafts alternative pop music with R&B, reggae and rap influences; the peppy ‘17’ is his latest track.
Bipolar Sunshine, “inside love”
On his 2025 EP ‘Sunshine: It Never Ends,’ vocalist and musician Bipolar Sunshine — formerly of the band Kid British — continues his strong solo work.
Rachel Chinouriri, “What A Life”
Rachel Chinouriri blew up on SoundCloud as a teenager. On her 2025 EP ‘Little House,’ the BRIT Award-nominated vocalist and musician dives into indie rock, pop and R&B. Learn more about Rachel Chinouriri’s artist journey here.
Myles Smith, “Gold”
Vocalist and musician Myles Smith continues his rapid rise on his 2025 album ‘A Minute… A Moment,’ with a soaring-yet-tender pop sound.
Cat Burns, “Lavender”
BRIT Award- and Mercury Music Prize-nominated Cat Burns teases the release of her forthcoming second album with this earworm of a track.
Greentea Peng, “One Foot”
On her 2025 album ‘TELL DEM IT’S SUNNY,’ Greentea Peng showcases her hypnotic blend of neo-soul, R&B and indie.
Jessy Blakemore, “2seater”
Newcomer Jessy Blakemore’s acoustic guitar brings a tactile feel to her R&B-pop sound for Black Butter Records. Learn more about Jessy Blakemore’s artist journey here.
John Glacier, Sampha, “Ocean Steppin’”
John Glacier’s 2025 album ‘Like A Ribbon’ explores alternative R&B, rap and electronic beats; her track with Sampha is a standout.
Blood Orange, “The Field” feat. The Durutti Column, Tariq Al-Sabir, Caroline Polachek and Daniel Caesar
On his 2025 album ‘Essex Honey,’ vocalist and musician Blood Orange recruits an impressive line up of collaborators.
BINA., Essence Martins, “Sleepless” feat. Leonie Biney
On her 2024 album ‘Chaos Is Her Name,’ BINA. lives up to her description of her indie-soul music as “alternative, intoxicating, cinematic.”
Tony Njoku, Space Afrika, “ON THE BACK OF FORGIVENESS”
Electronic producer Tony Njoku released ‘ALL OUR KNIVES ARE ALWAYS SHARP’ in 2025. This album features this track with avant dub duo Space Afrika.
Jeshi, “HURRICANE” feat. LEILAH
Alternative rap vocalist Jeshi released his latest album, ‘Airbag Woke Me Up,’ in 2025.
TAAHLIAH, Elouiza, “Boys”
Glasgow DJ and producer TAAHLIAH pushes her rave sound on this collaborative track from her 2024 debut album, ‘Gramarye.’
Nia Archives, CLIPZ, “Maia Maia”
Bristol vocalist, DJ and producer Nia Archives dropped this Brazilian funk-infused jungle track in 2025 on her label, Up Ya Archives.
SHERELLE, Kibo
SHERELLE flies the flag for the UK jungle scene with this energizing track. Her most recent album, ‘WITH A VENGEANCE,’ dropped in 2025.
Flowdan, GRiZ, “Coast 2 Coast”
Grime legend Flowdan flexes his EDM chops on this stadium dubstep track with producer GRiZ. Learn more about the collaboration on GRiZ’s episode of Voice Notes.
Tim Reaper, Mantra, Decibella, “Charades”
Jungle DJ/producer and Future Retro London boss Tim Reaper links with Rupture’s Mantra and Decibella on this 2025 track.
BXKS, “Zagga Dat”
BXKS’s dark, dubby sound — blending UK drill and Jamaican dancehall — is a breath of fresh air in the UK scene.
£MONZO, Lamsi, INFAMOUSIZAK, “ALL THE GIRLS”
A name to watch in UK drill, £MONZO’s deep tones and moody beats make this 2025 anthem feel like a warning.
Tiana Major9, “Shook One”
The Motown-signed, soulful R&B singer dropped this track, which riffs on the iconic Mobb Deep beat, in 2025.
Kwaku Asante, “Trouble”
Londoner Kwaku Asante’s latest track flexes his deft skill in mixing jazz, soul and R&B.
Nala Sinephro, “Continuum 1”
With her harp and synths, Nala Sinephro is bridging jazz and experimental ambient music for Warp Records.
Griff, “last night’s mascara”
London-born, Chinese-Jamaican vocalist and musician Griff released her debut album, ‘Vertigo,’ in 2024.
Jords, “Reparations”
South London’s Jords reflects on the topic of reparations for Black people in this searing track. He dropped his latest full length project, ‘Mixtape J,’ in 2025.
