Before he was one of the UK's best-known MCs, Skepta produced beats for London grime crew Meridian. That skill shows in the way he effortlessly rides any rhythm, from bumping house basslines to English hip-hop's distorted dramatics to the more straightforward boom bap of American rap. Whether rhyming about shutting down the club, eyeballing hot girls, or keeping it real, Skepta combines forceful delivery with catchy hooks and colourful slang. Drake, Diddy and Kanye have all co-signed his style, making him one of the few British rappers to gain legendary status across the Atlantic.