A fresh wave of Irish rap has arrived, representing sounds from across Ireland with fire and diverse character. In recent years, Dublin’s hip-hop scene—home to many of Ireland’s up-and-comers since the ’80s—has loosened its hold, allowing for a rising tide of rappers from all corners. The result is an impressive, forward-thinking roster of artists who are making their mark at home, across the UK—and even further afield. Drogheda-based collective A92 (represented here by Offica) is now among Ireland’s most popular crews, giving voice to sizeable immigrant communities with a primarily drill sound that fuses Irish and Yoruba slang. Local pride is a theme central to many of these acts. The bold DIY messaging inherent to the underground has now connected to a fresh, high-energy movement termed Gaelic drill, where the Irish language expands the depth of slick street talk. A steady stream of MCs is emerging within the genre to add new perspectives on identity and dual heritage to the island’s rich storytelling history. Around the capital, Kevin Smith, aka Kojaque, blends core hip-hop-jazz influences on a bundle of introspective, self-produced albums, while Burner Records co-founder Fynch also clocks concerns of the youth with bold, elastic narration.