Suburban Spotlight: Dublin
4 Nov 2021
We’re back and this time we headed to Ireland to see what they’ve got to offer! Following on from our Glasgow edition, we took our ears – virtually, of course – to the reputable city of Dublin to see what up and coming rappers we could find! Take a look at which 7 emcee’s we selected below.
Youngiz
At just 19 years of age, Youngiz has already built a reputation for himself in the Irish realm. Like many up and coming rappers, the Dublin native was influenced by one of British music’s most influential artists, “I was influenced by J Hus to do rap”, he stated. Having only taken music seriously for the past two years, Youngiz’s reputable grit and unapologetic approach has turned the heads of many up and down the nation. Bursting onto the scene last year with “Pray For Me” alongside Rubo and M8, the budding talent has since collaborated with the likes of Ksav, UD and Smilez. Best known for his “Outside” (below) banger alongside Smilez, the pair boast their musical chemistry and sent supporters going crazy in the comments, “Seems Ireland Is OUTSIDE OUTSIDE”. Housing an eerie drill instrumental, the pair go back to back with a slew of street poetics and infectious flows as they deliver a quality drop for fans to indulge. We’re sure this isn’t the last you’ll hear of Youngiz!
Sello
If you’re familiar with the Irish scene then you will be more than well acquainted with Sello. Posing as one of the many rappers flying the flag for Irish rap, the 21-year-old is without a doubt, a force to be reckoned with. Taking influence from heavyweights including, Jay-Z, Biggie, Tupac, Stormzy, and J Hus, the Irish native decided to take his love for rapping up a notch last year. Infatuated with music from a young age, he began to take a liking to spitting bars back in his Secondary school days. Stepping onto the scene with his debut drop, “Dublin”, which has since accumulated over 350,000 views on YouTube alone, Sello set the tone for what was yet to come. Swiftly following through with “As Gaeilge”, it’s been nothing but an up-hill climb since. Having now collaborated with Offica on his newly-dropped single, “Oggy” (below), Sello is one of the many names on the Irish thumper, “War”, that in turn championed the up and coming talent from the city; leaving fans stunned in the comments with his impressive artistry, “Sello gonna be the one to put Dublin on the map” – Sello is one to watch!
Evans Junior
Evans Junior, a name that can’t be boxed into one specific sound. Best known for his versatility, the 22-year-old is heavily influenced by the likes of Burna Boy, 50 Cent, Drake, Amaarae, Wizkid, Midas the Jagaban, Rema, Wande Coal, and Adekunle Gold. “I started making music when I was 17. My Dad used to come back from Nigeria with music CD’s with random DJ mixes of the top songs at the time. He used to play them on repeat any time we were in the car so I naturally fell in love with all the songs. This played a huge role in me becoming an artist because I saw first hand the impact of what good music can do and how it can make you feel.”, he explained. Having previously explored all walks of rap, Evans Junior is gearing up to make the transition into Afrofusion. With a bag of songs ready to drop, he’s best known for his collaboration with Offica on “Movie”, which has since garnered over 250,000 streams on Spotify alone. As he begins to explore the vibrant world of Afrofusion, Evans Junior recently treated supporters to his brand new release named, “No Time” (below). Enriched with bouncy melodies and infectious bars, this feel-good club-esc banger is the ultimate wheel-up worthy drop! As he continues to prove why he’s one to watch, this is only the beginning for Evans Junior!
Reggie B
Influenced by both UK and US drill artists, not to mention his favourite UK heavy-weight Fredo, Reggie B has a promising future ahead of him. Originally playing football, the Irish native switched the pitch for the booth after releasing two tracks for fun which swiftly gained a buzz. Stepping into the game back in 2019 with the release of his debut offering named, “Risk It” alongside Cubez, his reputable grit, charisma, and all-round artistry has earned him a spot as one of Irish rap’s front runners. At 22 years of age, Reggie has already shown great potential to become a household name in the coming years. Stepping into the new year with “Twap It” alongside J.B2 and Cubez, he recently followed through with “Dundalk Bosses” (below). Paired alongside a set of eerie visuals, we follow Reggie around alongside his boys in various locations as he continues to flaunt his self-assured presence and jumping flows. With more heat on the way, Reggie B is a name to look out for!
Larry Alabi
Larry Alabi is a without a doubt, a name to look out for! Taking influence from the likes of Kodak Black for his playful demeanor and all-round charisma, Larry Alabi’s reputable energy and unapologetic approach has caught the eyes of many. Having taken the leap in the summer of 2018 to take his love for music to the next level, the 21-year-old shared his debut release, “Never Resting (Tee Grizzly Remix)”, alongside Tee-Grizzly. Since then, Larry Alabi has grown an ever-growing fan base that are eager for more heat! “My most popular track would probably be “Drop Dat” released January of this year featuring Smilez and A9Nikz. It was was my first time jumping on a drill beat, I wanted to try something different and surprisingly I pulled it off”, he commented. Recently joining forces with Sello, Smilez, and Femz20, the rappers assembled for the ultimate Irish thumper “War” (below), a fired-up street heater that’s enriched with energy, and ferocious flows! Continuing to prove why he’s one to watch with his refined pen game and bouncing flows, Larry Alabi is a name to look out for!
Nadz20
Inspired by Meek Mill, MizOrMac, and Skrapz, 18 year-old Nadz20 has already made quite the impression. Stepping onto the scene earlier this year with the release of his debut single, “L’s Up” (below). Tapping in at just under 4 minutes long, Nadz20 glazed the hard-hitting drill instrumental with ease, weaving raw street poetics and punchlines throughout. Keeping the hype around his name alight, Nadz20 joined forces with fellow #K78 member Femz20 for the highly awaited, “K78 Bop”, which has since accumulated over 520,000 streams on Spotify alone. Further solidifying why he is one to watch, the budding force left supporters mesmerized in the comments with his energy-driven flow, “The flow is madddd” – this is just the beginning for Nadz20!
Smilez
Influenced by his estate Mac Uilliam, Meek Mill and his environment, Smilez is determined to pave a better life for himself after seeing others around him fall; posing as a voice for those who want an ambitious future, the 19-year-old is a name to look out for. Infatuated with music from a young age, Smilez first started rapping at the youthful age of 11 years old with a webcam but later taking it to the next level when he turned 17. Standing by his morals, Smilez’s debut release “Live Good Freestyle”, a tribute to his close friends Izzy and Timmy who passed away, captivated listeners from the offset as he unraveled an array of thought-provoking and emotive bars. Swiftly following through with stand-out releases, “RiRi”, “17”, and “Fake Love”, not to mention his newly released drop “PLT” (below), Smilez has continuously proved why he is a name to be remembered.