Best British Rappers of 2021 (Ranked) | Complex UK
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Here at Complex, we wanted to acknowledge and honour the achievements of UK rappers this past year by compiling a list of the 10 best!
To help us with this difficult task, we brought in some top industry experts and insiders, including Complex UK’s Editor-In-Chief, Joseph ‘JP’ Patterson, DJ/A&R Sian Anderson, No Signal Radio’s Scully, music journalist/critic Mimi The Music Blogger and Plugged In founder, Fumez The Engineer.
Each of our panelists had to submit their own individual top 10 lists, based on the following criteria: Buzz / Impact & Influence / Body Of Work / Mainstream Radar / Rapping Ability / Other Achievements. Each list was then scored using a point system, and the rappers with the most points-the names that appeared most frequently and ranked the highest-would then enter the final 10.
Watch the video above as we debate and rank the rappers from 10-1 until we crown Complex UK’s Best Rapper Of 2021!
Countdown
00:00 Intro and Ranking Criteria
4:00 Number 10
5:00 Number 9
6:35 Number 8
9:36 Number 7
12:00 Number 6
16:00 Number 5
18:00 Number 4
24:00 Number 3
27:45 Number 2
32:56 Number 1
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Пікірлер: 204
Did The Get It Right Or Wrong? Share Your List In The Comments
@jakebird7863
2 жыл бұрын
My top 10 for the rap I like goes: 1. Dave 2. Central Cee 3. Potter Payper 4. Digga D 5. Tion Way 6. Ghetts 7. DBE 8. Little Simz 9. M1llionz 10. K Trap
@friedstevv1908
2 жыл бұрын
Where the fuck was Nito ???
@johnmcgiver7105
2 жыл бұрын
kzread.info/dash/bejne/h6BosNWhn5y8n5c.html
@Looksordeath
2 жыл бұрын
@@jakebird7863 Cench defintely gotta be second at least..
Can’t lie no fredo, no Headie is mad these guys ahead of them is outrageous
@outrageousPlanBT
2 жыл бұрын
Nah Headie didn’t do anything significant this year expect for his tape which was underwhelming and boring
@miahbanuelos
2 жыл бұрын
agreed
@barry4649
Жыл бұрын
@@outrageousPlanBTFredo had the 3rd best album of the year though
Fred dropped two tapes. MCBH which showed so much maturity and development in his sound as well as Independence Day which is a top tier street rap album yet AND one of the best singles of this year with Central Cee yet he’s not on the list!? You can’t look at this criteria and also not put Arrdee on here. Mad agendas going on for no reason lol
@outrageousPlanBT
2 жыл бұрын
*Fredo
@CP-dr7qy
2 жыл бұрын
Arrdee doesn’t have a tape doesn’t have street influence doesn’t have rapping ability so why would he be on here 🤣
@AD-vh4dc
2 жыл бұрын
No cap! Fred should 100% be on there Back To basics is still getting played
Being from Brooklyn NY, I've heard of these names and listen to most of their work. Dave, little simz and Tion put out solid albums. Potter payper my guy, I think he's dope. I'm happy ghetts still doing his things. And mill1onz, that dude a star waiting to shine more. As for everyone else. I need to give them a listen but I respect the list. I just need to do my research. But UK RAP is definitely known on the US. that's a fact.
@marleymclean4756
2 жыл бұрын
Shut up bruv
@S_Huncho
2 жыл бұрын
@@marleymclean4756 No
Fredo, Unknown T, Headie, Clavish… names like that deserved to be there
@benanderson7518
2 жыл бұрын
been looking for a clavish comment, he’ll be too 3 of this list 2022
@JMedia1000
2 жыл бұрын
Let’s see how he can push himself this year.
Fumez must be inhaling fumes in that studio a man said Ed Sheeran is a top 10 UK rapper 😂
This list is an absolute shambles. Grown adults had Central Cee and Digga d in there top 3 UK rappers of 2021
@Keo12374
2 жыл бұрын
Don’t even cause we all know central top 2
Fair play to Dave! Little Simz definitely had an underrated year so good to see people backing her
Thank you for helping my playlist out here in The States!
Okay but Simz had the buzz - international not just UK Impact - she got multiple publications naming her album #1 Body of work - no discussion Rapping ability - she’s clear Multiple awards? Whole list is flawed, Simz and Dave are top 2 no debate
@arran6032
2 жыл бұрын
How can they put digga D above her with a straight face 😐
@GameHardAllDay
2 жыл бұрын
simz shouldn’t even of made the list 🤣
Such a disservice to the work Fredo put in this year. Album and a mixtape, features, singles. His rapping ability has clealry improved how has no one dropped his namee
I feel Fumez' pain for K-Trap to be even considered as No. 8 is crazy
Simz is number based on the Criteria. She smashed everyone this year.
it should just be based on the quality of music, the top 3 should be ghetts, little simz, dave
@annoymous7052
2 жыл бұрын
Nah Dave, cench, tion
@493HZ
2 жыл бұрын
100%, making a club banger is easy if you've got the best producers money can buy feeding you beats. It takes so much to actually be able to evoke feelings with your lyrics. This list is a joke and not to be taken seriously to be honest
Potter is the best on the mic out of everyone in the uk. He's now getting his mainstream shine after years in and out of jail. Mans is too talented
Potter Payper at number 7 is nuts
@theqwertyone100
2 жыл бұрын
Hes top 3 easy
Little Simz 6° ARE U KIDDING ME?
Fredo not being mentioned is the crime he pays for being independent , everyone in the uk even the ppl on the desk deep down know hes a top 5 artist this year
@Wonderkid44
2 жыл бұрын
He’s literally one of the greatest rappers ever in the UK
@barry4649
Жыл бұрын
So that’s why it is, that makes so much sense, I am always baffled by how people underrate Fredo, he had a better album than Dave imo
Tired of seeing slowthai being under appreciated each year. Ur acting like my man wasn’t GRAMMY nominated last year, Got signed to ASAP Rocky’s Label AWGE as well as making a song with Rocky this year. Was featured on a Grammy winning album (IGOR). His music videos have been amazing this year dir by The Rest, his videos have been way better than everyone on this list except from little Simz who is also an amazing artist. And let’s not forget TYRON went number 1 as well
@arran6032
2 жыл бұрын
I don't think they even view him as British man, guarantee half of them ain't even listened to Tyron
@forevaschemin
2 жыл бұрын
I think because he isn’t really in the UK “urban” scene. His music to geared to a certain demographic which is not these guys
@SK-xn4kd
2 жыл бұрын
my mans a bishead
There should be a graphic to display their list as they’re making. Good video though
Potter Payper is without a shadow of a doubt the best rapper to ever come out of the UK. No one comes close, so regardless of who did what this year, ranking him lower than Central Cee is beyond disrespect 🤣🤣🤣
@zaydkhan8882
2 жыл бұрын
Giggs is the best to come out of the UK but potter payper is ONE of the best.
Shoutout fredo as well. He's the coldest on the right track. Fred gets crazy numbers
Fredo should be there he dropped 2 of his best projects this year and he has the best daily duppy ever and he’s not even in the conversation? Wow
There was a lot mentioned about criteria… what was the criteria?
LANCEY LANCEY
What kind of debate is This? The quality of the work dont Matter?
How is the whole desk upset with the list they made 😭
where is workrate cuz, man is fire
This was good concept but ngl it was annoying to watch some parts. Who created this list though? Lool then what was the actual criteria? Also, why are we getting medi reasons for the placements? Felt like there was some personal hidden agendas to some of the decisions. Tion was higher than Ghetts? Kmt
No slowthai?
I got through 2:14 of this video before I had to switch it off cos my hearing was too focused on Fumez chewing his gum. C'umon man. How are you going to name yourself after a SOUND ENGINEER then go on a 30 minute roundtable discussion with a mic each and have your Wrigley's all in my ear!? FOH
@richbrev5716
2 жыл бұрын
Mans a 🤡🤡🤡
@JackFox_710
2 жыл бұрын
@@richbrev5716 Certifed chewy boy
Other than these mans list being complete bullshit... your telling me No clavish? No Rimzee? No blanco? No wewantwraiths? No unknown T? No KO? No V9? No Jimmy? No Fredo? No Meekz? No Morrison? No 9th street? No Tiny boost? No skrapz? All these guys had a better year than most on this list. All this list goes off is who charted the most with shit catchy songs that blew off the power off tiktok like cmon now. & this is the problem with the industry of why you let these half asked rappers get a record deal after blowing after 1 song its some joke.
@493HZ
2 жыл бұрын
Those autotune guys are NOT rappers
Backroad gee’s tape was one of the best of the year he didn’t get enough credit
Digga D mad but this year Centra C has been a blessing
@pablovilelaneumann4379
2 жыл бұрын
No
Credo & Headie not being on this list is crazy.
It depends what type of rap you like or what type of rap your going off. Lyrical Dave/potter, flow central cee,/digga/dbe. Real rap Jordan/Morrison/potter pain and story telling Jordan/potter
LOSKII missin!!!
No Unknown T?!?! That’s an absolute mazza
One of the most embarrassing things I’ve seen, based on pop music, wouldn’t class a lot of this as grime. No Knucks, Slowthai, Sainte or Pa Saliue; AJ Tracey had a shocker of a year imo. The rest are Tiktok songs or for 14 year olds other than Dave, Simz and Ghetts
@greg4154
2 жыл бұрын
All London based too, where’s meekz in all this?
@mvttz
2 жыл бұрын
@@greg4154 Meekz doesn't even have a project does he? I would have Bugzy top 5 easily though
@silewis9396
2 жыл бұрын
@@greg4154 Facts
@greg4154
2 жыл бұрын
@@silewis9396 worse when you realise backroad gee, who was nominated, didn’t even place in the top ten some how?
Potter payper should be top 3... these industry 🤡 don't speak for the streets. That fool on the end as a problem wiv Potter 💯
Slowthai ????
Ghetts at number 5?! BROOO he had a number 2 album in the chart, Mercury prize nominated album, won best artist at mobos and nominated for a Brit award! His lyrical ability and artistry is stronger than anyone on that list!!! 😡
@mvttz
2 жыл бұрын
Tyron was better
@silewis9396
2 жыл бұрын
@@mvttz And he's not even on here. Dead list
@493HZ
2 жыл бұрын
But da Body remix bro, WHEN I BEAT IT I AINT WEARING A JOHNNY
Fumez is the only opinion I rate on this
Dave was a clear number 1- Potter shoulda been higher up that list and Fredo is top 10 without a doubt
@annoymous7052
2 жыл бұрын
In general Dave is clear Yh but if we’re going on this year only cench is 1 no argument
Whr Fredo at?
How you darkin potter off like dat number one allnDay
How come you left my name out? 😱
“I met the criteria but wasn’t selected”
Fumez has a weird energy 🤷🏾♂️
Why did it feel like it was so awkward in that room
Potter hit the nail on the coffin these shows and lists are always terrible. They shouldn’t even be done. Some dumb people that don’t know nothing about music frfr. If we’re talking this year it’s Central Cee. The numbers don’t lie he’s brought a new sound into the game and broken that overseas barrier. Dave been in a league of his own the past 3 years. Based of this year tho central is 1.
😂😂This should be on Comedy Central
No Fredo? They’ve gone mad
How you not gonna bugzy on here man had an accident and nearly died and still came back to destroy the game
Dunno what you need to call this list but the name needs to change 5 mins in and I've realised the criteria is bollocks
Do people forget Slowthai is British
I dunno if people are blind but didn’t dbe sell out o2 or suttin??? But millionz is ahead. You lot have to understand dbes sound is so established if you look at they’re numbers and influence it’s unmatched. AND THEYRE INDEPENDENT. Smh you lot to need in the mirror and have a word
Why would ya’ll drop all the names at the start killed the build up
Where is Shotty Horroh??
1 Dave 2 Tion Wayne 3 Little Simz
This is a fucking shambles. No Fredo how you putting potter at 7?? Easily higher up. No headie one? Slowthai had a banger wtf?? What else did DBE do in this year? Put out a hard album… this panel was well off. Guy in the beanie go home
Trapo 8th these lot are out of their mind. Mimi shouldve pushed for higher
still confused on why digga is before cench. central cee had the better year. period.
M1llionz 9??? You bugging...
Lol. Meekz is no1 right now without an album.
My version of their original top 10 10 - BackRoad Gee 9 - K Trap 8 - Tion Wayne 7 - M1llionz 6 - Potter Payper 5 - Digga D 4 - Central Cee 3 - Little Simz 2 - Dave 1 - Ghetts
This absolutely stinks bring back the dislike button Lool everyone is a music pundit nowadays bloody hell the DBE blasphemy is crazy
Russ should be on here
No Lancey Foux?
@dfrvisuals
2 жыл бұрын
Bro the music was better a few years back no cap
0:24 fumez looks like he left the oven on at yard
Someone neeeds to speak up about daves overatedness man. Man dropped a decent album and done nothing else and we wanna say dblock aint higher then him. Or that headie and fredo or even AJ had a better year then dave. Come on now theirs some weird agenda to push dave at all costs all the time. Its fine to say hes an amazing rapper but this year he was just average. Just fyi for me aj and digga had the tune of the year. Fredo had a decent project also. And dblock came late but saved their year top 3 easy
@unknownzzzzz6305
2 жыл бұрын
Been saying all of this, especially about Dave. The way the majority of Dave fans dickriiide him is unbelievable. Dropped a tape that was decent, nothing special at all and no singles. Deserves top 10 but not top 5 imo. How u gonna put little simz, k trap and millionz, even Ghetts, but no FREDO. Some weird choices from these old heads. No ardee as well, not even russ. Central cee no1 tion no2 digga d no4 dbe no5 russ no6 Fredo no7 ( could swap for digga) ardee no8 Dave no9 clavish no10
@arran6032
2 жыл бұрын
@@unknownzzzzz6305 hahahahhahaha I can't believe you have just said ardee over little simz. Have you even listened to simbi? Plz say you haven't
@493HZ
2 жыл бұрын
AJ Tracey is legit overrated. Dave comes with BARS constantly number 1 deserved but this list is garbage I agree lol
21 savage better be on there
Digga D Number 1 of Course! 🔥🏆
Why isn’t fredo on the flippin list wtfff
Huge disservice and disrespect to Fredo and Arrdee. No Unknown T, Headie One, Ms Banks and Slowthai (debatable) says a lot. Bonkers!!!!
lmao where is Headie??
Where the fucks unknown t?
Slowthai and Bugzy Malone should be top 10 easily
@lucabrowning1754
2 жыл бұрын
Clueless
@mvttz
2 жыл бұрын
@@lucabrowning1754 You’re defo a Dave fan 💀
@lucabrowning1754
2 жыл бұрын
@@mvttz lol believe me or not im fan of both, even met slowthai a couple times, but u cant tell me either of them put out anything groundbreaking this year
@mvttz
2 жыл бұрын
@@lucabrowning1754 You've lost your mind. Tyron was a great album, the difference in tone between both discs was executed perfectly, the flows are varied, the features did great. Its rated highly even by some american rap fans
@lucabrowning1754
2 жыл бұрын
@@mvttz not bashing tyron at all, but 1) fuck what americans think anyway 2) tyron wasn't album of the year by anyones standard, ty has put out better work before. So aside from album, what puts him in top 10?
Hiw is russ and tion not there
I don’t care what CriTeRiA you’re talking about, putting Dave anywhere but 1 is criminal. Fumez I’m mad disappointed in you bro
No love for Ocean Wisdom?
@runupdabag2050
2 жыл бұрын
Who’s that lool😂
Ok so Dave hasn’t got the same ability too switch up flows syllaball rhyming like digga , cench has the same flow on every beat , tion creates new flows every song , so versatility digga and tion and rap and drill rap better than the rest 💁🏽♂️
I don't know much about UK rap but Little Simz being in 6 is just not it.
@agg9479
2 жыл бұрын
shes cold. really talented
@arran6032
2 жыл бұрын
They are honestly clueless the top 3 is embarrassing
WHERE THE FUCK IS FREDO
Best uk rapper will always be sir 21
BamBam shoulda fucking been here. Mover too wtf this is some bs
Y’all left gang out the top 10 smh add D-Block Europe ASAP!!!!
This list is fucked! Dave number 4? Lmao , no Fredo? Man dropped 2 solid body of work
@richbrev5716
2 жыл бұрын
watch the vidio fool, Dave no1
1 to 5: Dave 5 to 10: Fredo No spots left.
Lil simz should be number 9
Skepta
Dave at 4😂😂😂😂
K trap is rapper of the year
@DanielinAction
2 жыл бұрын
I think Meekz is rapper of their year, but k trap high also
Fumer is soo arrogant
hope no one else has to watch this fml, confusing clout with impact. dave only one that had a number one album, biggest sales, international appeal, etc and all these grown adults were about to put him 4!!! getting in internet beef or controversy doesn't mean you had biggest buzz or impact musically. niggas think the only play music is played is in the club or in the whip with mandem n thats why uk music shows always be letting themselves down with lack of meaningful debate
Disrespectful to Fredo, his albums were mad
NO WAY …GHETTS NUMBER 1 ALL DAY…NO COMPARISON…LYRICAL ABILITY…METAPHORS…STORY TELLING 🤦🏾♂️ONLY ONE CLOSE IS DAVE
@ogopinions9082
2 жыл бұрын
Dave is up there in the cnversation but I hear you still
Tf... Loski in K Trap out 🚶🏽♂️
simz doesn’t deserve to be in this list lmaoooo joke ting
Yh nah they deffo got this wrong how has millionz had a better year than dbe