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UK Rap

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Huck 82: The Music Issue

How teaching in prisons and a new mixtape is inspiring UK rap innovator Jords

Inside tracks — Two years since releasing his sophomore album Dirt In the Diamond on the legendary Motown Records, the South London MC returns with Mixtape J – a bold, independent, 10-track statement. We caught up with him to talk about the new project, his creative process and running writing workshops in UK prisons.

Written by: Niall Smith

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Huck 82: The Music Issue

“An Asian rapper? It feels like an impossible reality”: Jianbo on doing it for the family

East x South East — As the pandemic drove a wave of ESEA xenophobia, Jianbo realised that he couldn’t pretend to be anything other than himself. Zing Tsjeng sits down with the South London MC – vanguard of a burgeoning creative movement.

Written by: Zing Tsjeng

Overhead view of person in white apron and dark clothing holding mop on wet grey floor with scattered pink stains and white drain grate.
Huck 82: The Music Issue

Kojey Radical will never look down

More than a rapper — From his days skating around East London and charming local grassroots venues, the multitalented emcee, poet, singer and visual artist has emerged as a one-of-one creative force and storyteller. On his latest album Don’t Look Down, he continues to lay his own path.

Written by: Joseph ‘JP’ Patterson

Woman with long braided hair in grey hoodie with black fur-lined hood, standing in lift with yellow and pink text overlay.
Music

JayaHadADream: “A lot of us feel the world right now is dystopian”

What Made Me — In this series, we ask artists and rebels about the forces and experiences that shaped who they are. Today, it’s UK rap breakout hotshot JayaHadADream.

Written by: JayaHadADream

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Music

DJ AG teases that he is working on a 2026 festival

AG Fest? — The open format DJ dropped a cryptic post on social media yesterday, along with a link to sign up to a mailing list.

Written by: Isaac Muk

Quote on green background: "As much as the social contract is lost, there's a freedom"
Music

James Massiah: “As much as the social contract is lost, there’s a freedom with that”

Bounty Law — With the release of his latest album, we sat down with the rapper-poet to chat about his new sonic Western, the boom in alternative poetry events, and whether the social contract is broken.

Written by: Isaac Muk

Two men in dark clothing against grey background. Left wears black hoodie, right in patterned robe. Pink "HARD" text with "FEELINGS" below in bottom right corner.
Music

Krept & Konan: “Being tough is indoctrinated into us”

Hard Feelings — In the latest from our interview column exploring fatherhood and masculinity, UK rap’s most successful double act reflect on loss, being vulnerable in their music, and how having a daughter has got Krept doing things he’d never have imagined.

Written by: Robert Kazandjian

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