Black History Month: The Best of Black British Musicians from the 2010’s!
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As we celebrate the best of Black Britain spanning 4 decades
From the 90s to the present day & future.
Each weekday, from breakfast to drive time
we will be honouring Black Icons
In Music, Sports, Politics, Education, Arts & Fashion
and taking a look into what inspired their greatness.
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Today we are celebrating Black Music Icons from the 2010s!
Stefflon Don
First up, we’ve got Stefflon!
Stephanie Victoria Allen, better known by her stage name Stefflon Don is an English rapper and singer. She is known for her unique ability to dominate the scene switching from dancehall patois to hard-hitting rap verses to sultry vocals! She rose to international stardom with her hit track ‘Hurtin me’ featuring French Montana. This track peaked at number 7 on the UK singles chart. Before this hit single, Stefflon don was still one to watch the scene. Stefflon first emerged into the industry with her cover of Wretch 32’s ‘6 words’ and Section Boyz ‘lock Arf’.
As her popularity grew, Stefflon would work with the stars such as Lethal Bizzle, Sneakbo, Jeremih, and Wretch 32. 2016 also saw the release of her debut mixtape, Real Ting, which featured Jeremih returning the favour. She kicked off 2018 with the release of the Hurtin’ Me EP, featured her breakthrough single hurting me and “Instruction” with Jax Jones and Demi Lovato. Most recently, the release of the Afrobeat-tinged single “Can’t Let You Go” in 2020 dominated the charts and showed us once again, Stefflon don can move through genres with ease. You can not put her in one box!
Giggs
Next up, we are talking the hardest with Giggs!
Giggs is a British rapper and songwriter from London. He made his critically acclaimed solo debut in 2008 with walk-in da park. Later that year he won the 2008 BET award for best UK act, beating favourites Dizzee Rascal and Chipmunk. After signing a recording contract with XL recording, he released his label album debut, ‘Let ‘em ave it’ in 2010. Three years later, Giggs returned to the scene with his follow up album, ‘When will it stop’ in 2013. This album saw him working with famous faces like Ed Sheeran. Giggs returned in 2016 with his critically acclaimed third studio album Landlord.
The album proved to be very successful for Giggs, landing him a number 2 spot on the UK album chart! He then made a name for himself in the states after featuring on a pair of drake reach in early 2017. Thai gained Giggs recognitions overseas and helped launch Giggs ‘Wamp 2 dem’ mixtape that year. In recent times, Giggs has released mixtape, Now or Never, in 2020 and featured Jorja Smith, A Boogie wit da Hoodie, Kyze, Aystar, and others. Whilst some referred him to as a grime artist. Giggs has repeatedly asserted the music he makes is not grime, but rather falls beneath the UK rap umbrella.
Iamddb
Next up, we have one of manchester finest IAMDDB!
Iamddb is a British rapper and singer known for fuzing genres into her self-proclaimed, ‘Urban Jazz.’ This manchester vocalist found herself launched into stardom in 2017 with her hit ‘Shade’. The track currently coasts just under 42 million views on youtube. Iamddb unique ability to layer harmonies, sultry vocals, catchy adlibs to create a voice collate over her laid back beats is what makes her stand out. Iammdb can float in and out of genres like dancehall, rap before returning to her roots of urban jazz. She can do it all.
Despite writing music from a young, she didn’t release anything until her 2016 single ‘Leaned Out.’ Her debut project, ‘Waevybby vol. 1’ in 2016 before graduating with her next project ‘Vibe, vol 2.’ This was where Iamddb found her find hit with viral sensation, ‘Shade’. Since then, Iamddb continued to release multiple projects like ‘Flight mode, vol.4’ and ‘Servvv.5’ in 2019. Iamddb has solidified her spot in the UK scene as one to watch!
Bugzy Malone
Let’s take it back home, with our very own Bugzy Malone.
Bugzy Malone is a British rapper and actor from manchester. He is one of the artists helping grime come back to its roots, moving away from popularised commercial music. He was the first artist in the grime genre from manchester to soar into fame and gain commercial success in the UK. His album ‘King of the North’ was released on 14 July 2017 and peaked at No. 4 on the UK Albums Chart. Bugzy firmly inserted Manchester on the rap map with his undeniable storytelling skill mixed with a bit of Mancunian flair. Bugzy used music to turn his life around. He was expelled from school and even experienced homelessness as a teen.
However, his life changed when he went to prison at 16 years old. Since leaving his life of crime, Bugzy has not looked back. Malone released his debut EP, ‘Walk With Me’, in 2015, featuring track 0161. The track soon became a regional rap anthem. Its follow-up, 2016’s ‘Facing Time’, found Malone grappling with the downside of fame and exploring traumatic stress, ideas he would develop in ‘resolute declaration of provincial sovereignty, King of the North’. Malone’s success solidified in 2018 with his first full-length album, B. Inspire. This album shows Malones ability to switch his style and fuse genres like afro swing into his craft. Bugzy Malone is a trailblazer for northern rap!
By Danni Tesfay