Suburban Spotlight: Sheffield

Welcome back to the ninth and final edition of Suburban Spotlight this 2020, looking back on whats been a chaotic year for many of us, we took took our ears to the South of Yorkshire in Sheffield to see what up and coming rappers we could find! Home to the likes of Deep Green, Sheffield has an array of hidden gems that are worth the listen!

Let us know which city should we visit in the new year!

Medley

Journeying back to when a flourishing Medley began penning his bars at the age of 13, it was around this time that the budding artist found his love and passion for music. Taking influence from Chronixx, Nipsey Hussle, Potter Payper, Vybz Kartel and Stylo G, at 17 years old Medley signed an artist development deal where he released his debut track “P Type” and was featured on Channel AKA. Forward on a few years later, he has since supported the likes of Chip, Tinchy Stryder, JME, Roots Manuva, Big Narstie and Ghetts, and in turn built a growing fan base. Having proved his versatility over the years across an assortment of genres including Hip Hop, R&B, Grime, Dancehall and Trap just to name a few, he later returned this year with the release of his brand new single titled, “Criss” (below). Enriched with an explosive energy from the onset, his punching flows and assertive demeanor take centre stage; with a brand new mixtape dropping this Friday (25th), Medley is one to watch from Sheffield!

Maasai

Having taken the courageous decision to take his career within music to the next level at the latter end of last year, Maasai has already caught the eyes of many across the nation! Taking influence from an assortment of hit-makers including Drake, Lil Durk, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, AJ Tracey, Dave and Toosii, the 20 year-old has released a string of impressive singles throughout the year that has seen him garner a small but reputable name. Dropping his debut track back in 2018 titled, “Southside”, it wasn’t until earlier this year that Maasai began picking up momentum. Having spent the last two years experimenting with his sound, the ascending artist has proved not only his potential but his versatility and artistry too. Kick starting the year with his most prominent track named, “Do Both”, the Sheffield native has since dropped 4 additional singles as well as his newly-released debut mixtape titled, ‘Heartbreak Kid’. Spread across 16 tracks with no guest features, Maasai takes centre stage from start to finish with a selection of textured and wavey joints. From the slick sounds of “Stars” (below) to the laid-back vibrations of “Heartbreak Kid” – it’s only a matter of until Maasai gets the recognition he deserves!

Hudz

Stepping onto the scene back in December of 2019, Hudz has already made quite the entrance! Joining forces with Talz for his debut release on “Same Day”, the 20 year-old, who is known for his unapologetic and straight-talking approach, glazed the melodic instrumental with exactly that. Keeping the flame around his name strong, the Sheffield native swiftly followed through with his most prominent track to date, “Blacked Out” (below), which is currently sat with over 250,000 views on YouTube alone. Sitting at the forefront of the track, Hudz’s raw street poetics, memorable hook and gruff tone caught the eyes of the nation and sent him flying as a force to be reckoned with! Rounding off the year with both “Jackpot” and “Venting / Trap Fever”, which both vary in sound, Hudz put his artistry on a shining pedestal. From the introspective sounds of “Venting” to the hard-hitting vibrations of “Trap Fever” and “Jackpot”, although it’s still early days for the rising rapper, Hudz has undoubtedly proved his worth!

Rickyleupnext

Inspired by his older brother and cousin who at the time were in a popular Grime and Rap group named Regimentz, Rickyleupnext stumbled across his new-found passion for music whilst pursuing his dream in Basketball. Taking guidance from his elders, the ascending rapper began freestyling for fun with his friends in school and one day found himself messing around at a home studio courtesy of his cousin, who ended up leaking Rickyleupnext’s track on SoundCloud and in turn quickly started garnering a flurry of attention! Since then, he has built a reputable name in and around Sheffield with a slew of singles including his most popular track titled, “Hood Celebrity” (below). Taking the new decade with both hands, the 21 year-old has shared a bundle of successful tracks this year from “Fly Boy”, to the smooth vibrations of “Intro” and his more recent drop named “Urus (Nightshift)”, his indisputed all-round swagger, slick delivery and confidence will only leave you wanting more!

GMF K

Influenced by his life experiences and surroundings, GMF K first burst onto the scene back in back in 2017 under a different alias. Taking inspiration from Master P, Nipsey Hussle, Just Banco, Potter Payper, Dave and Lauryn Hill, the 30 year-old first began writing Grime bars before switching over to both Hip-Hop and Rap and creating an authentic sound that’s an accurate representation of him as an artist. GMF, which stands for ‘G MAN FOREVER’ was made in honor of G MAN, his younger cousin who sadly passed away back in 2014; ensuring that his name lives forever, GMF K has taken it in in his stride to kick start what may become a prosperous career ahead within music. Following up from his ‘Hoods Hottest’ freestyle last year, he delivered his first single of 2020 titled, “Lasers” earlier in summer; layered over a menacing and eerie backdrop, the ascending emcee glazes the beat with an effortless flow and hard accompanying bars. More recently, he returned with his last offering of the year in the form of “Glitch” (below), enriched with raw street poetics and a skippy flow, this head-bopping joint is yet another reason as to why GMF K is one to watch!

Ra’Siah

Although Ra’Siah is still at the very beginning of his career, the newcomer has already proven his potential with a flurry of dynamic tracks this year. Having taken the decision in 2019 to take music more seriously, the 22 year-old has infact been dropping music for the past two years. Taking influence from Chip, Ghetts, Roots Manuva, Lauryn Hill, Vybz Kartel, Ard Adz, Missy Elliot and many more, Ra’Siah has generated his own distinct sound within British Rap. Starting the year with the release of “Told You Before”, to his ‘On Da Radar’ freestyle for Northside Media TV where the Sheffield native can be seen boasting his wordsmith and bouncing flows from start to finish, he more recently came through with the release of “Let the Fire Burn” (below) in honor of Black History Month. Clocking in at just under 3 minutes long, this powerful and empowering offering enabled Ra’Siah to speak on his truth, and in turn sent all of his streaming fee’s to relevant causes and youth programmes in need. With more heat on the way, Ra’Siah is a name to be looking out for!

Check out the Leicester, Manchester, Newcastle, Birmingham, Bristol, Nottingham, Cardiff and Liverpool editions!