6 November 2026
Ammi Boyz have always been ahead of the curve. A rotating cast of members, anchored by founders Nigz the Greatest, P From Lee, and Omari Lyseight, the south London collective found their niche on soundcloud, heavily influencing a new wave of artists with a sound that has endured for more than a decade.
After an extended hiatus, Ammi Boyz are back and more prolific than ever. Previously coming with a slew of mixtapes and EPs, they’ve just dropped their debut album, ‘It Dies Here’, with heavy hitting features from the likes of Jawnino, Novelist, and ayrtn amongst others. Mixtape Madness sat down with members Nigz the Greatest and P From Lee to discuss their story so far, working with SURF GANG, their new project, and their legacy in the UK rap space.
As a collective, you’ve been around for more than a decade now. What has been the main thing that has kept you invested?
PFL: Well, our individual friendships predate Ammi Boyz as a musical collective. So to link up and create music has always been natural. Over the last eight years we’ve been individually invested in our own paths but our collective investment is backed by seeing the roots of a once small scene flourish into a globally recognized movement.
NTG: We played a show at Fête de la Musique 2 years ago and the nostalgia of being together on stage for the first time in 8 years really helped fuel the creation of a new project.
Ammi Boyz have almost become synonymous with the UK underground, even before it was labelled as that. Why do you think your sound operates in that space on the fringes of the mainstream?
PFL: Sometimes we feel like making really heavy and braggadocious music and other times very introspective and deep. We have never really done what’s expected of us and I guess that’s the essence of underground music.
NTG: From pretty early on we scrapped the ‘youtube type beat sessions’ as people like Omari, Lsow and others around us were beginning to carve their own sound as producers. So naturally the music was getting more and more original, which I guess cast us away from the mainstream at the time.
From Lee Green in south east London, you kind of gained international notoriety. Was there any point where it felt surreal in any way?
PFL: Not really honestly. Talking for myself I’ve always been a figure in my neighbourhood and have always felt some level of notoriety.
NTG: It was different at the time because there wasn’t a global eye watching over the space yet. There weren’t large blogs or streaming or the reaction video format yet. So really unless it’s over DM’s, whilst traveling or via comments, I don’t think any of us were thinking about an international impact yet. In my head the scene literally existed within venues stretching from Rye Lane to Stoke Newington Road.
One day we saw the Olympic Australian cycling team were posting training videos to Ammi Boyz. That was when we realised, maybe globally we’re more legit than we thought.
You’ve described the likes of Section Boyz and Reeko Squeeze as influences. What is it about that sound that resonated with so many?
PFL: Swift from Smoke Boys is the undisputed goat for Ammi Boyz. The way he changed the slang in the early 2010s will never be forgotten and could never be imitated. Reeko Squeeze as well, being from Lewisham I have always respected his craft, being one of the only rappers I saw as a teenager representing SE12.
NTG: Swift has done more for modern UK Rap than anyone in my opinion. He brought a level of wittiness and humor to the game early. He definitely inspired us to put more character into the deliveries and the writing. I grew up in South Norwood so it resonated with me highly but I genuinely think Swift’s intriguing and fun deliveries are key to the expansion of the scene. In one year, I watched middle class girls from Surrey start saying things like “rah, he’s peng”. All because they listened to ‘Section Only’. In the same way Giggs had people saying ‘jheeze’. These terms existed within the ends but it was the music which transported the lingo across the country. I’ve been chatting to Swift recently and I’m hoping to get in the studio soon.
As a part of the Soundcloud era, do you feel like your music still carries a sense of nostalgia?
PFL: Definitely. We have always strived to stay true to our roots while always pushing the boundaries at the same time. That’s clear in the album with some songs showing homage to the OG sound and some obviously trying to push out into completely different realms like ‘I Remember ft. HORNET (prod. DJ Python & Lusi)’.
NTG: We deliberately didn’t just jump on what’s popping now, we kept our production internal within the Ammi Boyz, Surf Gang collectives. So naturally it carries some of those original formulas.
Is there anyone across your time in the scene that you feel fell by the wayside too early? Someone who should have got their flowers more?
NTG: No comment. I don’t like describing anybody as ‘falling’ as there was nowhere to fall from yet, we were all at the bottom together. Quitting music at that time, starting a family or getting a real job was statistically smarter than trying to be a rapper. So I don’t want to shade any negativity on those who took that path. When the lights go down and the fans go home, a lot of your favourite artists are just adults who live with their parents, with no pension plan and a large tax bill to pay next year. Everything is temporary.
Pfl: Anyone that was coming up at the same time was building the scene as well, whether that’s House of Pharaohs or Lancey Foux. All achieved great things and helped the new generation of artists to thrive and go on to do extremely well which I love to see. Any artist or group who knows they were an integral part to building the UK underground scene, you deserve your flowers.
What has it been like working with SURF GANG?
PFL: The Surf Gang x Ammi Boyz link is well over a decade old. In 2012, D1 moved to New York as Surf Gang was being formed by evilgiane and co. This started a trans-Atlantic relationship that still goes to this day. We all have strong individual relationships with Surf Gang members and it’s honestly just a friendship rather than any type of “work relationship”.
NTG: It’s been a relaxing and smooth experience. Shout out Jonboyice, Nico, Derek & Lisa Cinti. And all the guys behind the scene keep things rolling. But also Giane for calling me to make it happen.
Your debut album, ‘It Dies Here’, has arrived. Why after 12 years do you think this is the time to release a full LP?
PFL: Streets know we have dropped so many mixtapes and SoundCloud EPs, we knew coming back after this long hiatus, there was only one option and it was a full album. We also have a reputation of only working in house and not outsourcing any features, so this time we reached out to our peers and brought the people together.
NTG: Yeah for real, I guess after an 8 year break we had a lot to say.
What is the meaning of the title?
PFL: Sadly, we cannot share that and it’s only AB to understand.
NTG: Take what you want from it, I enjoy hearing conspiracies on what it means, so if you got a wild one, let me know. But I think it speaks for itself – all I can disclose is the name was solidified on the London Bridge southbound Northern line platform.
Across the project you work with so many different artists and producers. What was the process like?
PFL: We first started with beats from Omari Lyesight making many demos. This eventually led to individual members bringing external collaborators – from Nigz TG connecting with the likes of DJ Python, to me bringing in people like Mimics Gate and Flea Diamonds.
NTG: The process was a blur, we just linked up everyday like we were 18 again and got on with it.
What are your individual highlights of the project?
PFL: Just committing to a project with my best friends and not giving up till it’s finished. Sometimes we were together all day and all night just going over one song, and that just puts emphasis on how much we cared.
NTG: At the launch party in NYC, we bagged up like 20 exclusive packs and handed them out alongside samples of a fragrance we made with The Perfumers Workshop. Being in New York handing out something physical really represented the project leaving our hands and existing in the world. Shout out, Angels pond, JDN_ , Omari, 0bwaller & gaiaandlisaa for keeping the night soundtracked.
What makes Ammi Boyz, Ammi Boyz?
PFL: Integrity. We never needed anyone to tell us who we are or what we bring because we have always known ourselves. If you boil down Ammi Boyz you get the reality of South East London and all the cultures it encases.
NTG: Ammi Boyz is a group of friends that would still be considered a collective, even if music was wiped off the face of the earth. Individually we’re all designers, editors, artists, & athletes. And of course, we all grew up smoking copious amounts of amnesia haze.
What are your plans in the near future, and if you had to look forward another 12 years, where would you like to see yourself?
PFL: We would love to be able to sustain our lifestyles from our talents alone, this is the real dream, but as long as everyone in Ammi Boyz is happy and healthy, that’s the only thing I’m envisioning for my guys.
NTG: Hoping l learn to enjoy the small things in life, as purely making it in music means nothing unless you have a business plan. The music industry isn’t designed for you to leave with money. If you look at the most ‘financially successful artists’ they all have either an alcohol business, fashion brand, perfume line or investment portfolios. I don’t think Ariana Grande, Ye or someone like Travis Scott have reached that level of financial freedom from streams or record sales alone. So I hope I’m either in Boots with my face on a perfume bottle, or finding joy in making my bed and normal everyday things again. I don’t think l’ll ever find happiness within the in-between, but those who can are already winning in life in my opinion. I’ve seen despair and pressure destroy good people in real time and I hope that in 12 years everybody I care for is at peace with themselves, including myself.
Photo Credit: Dani KM