K Koke

Born Kevin Georgiou in northwest London, rapper K Koke announced himself on the U.K. underground scene with the April 2010 mixtape Pure Koke: Vol. 1. Part of the U.S.G. crew -- alongside former schoolmates Exo and Squingy -- Sony soon took notice and signed him to their Roc Nation imprint. The lushly produced, autobiographical "Turn Back" featured singer/songwriter Maverick Sabre and preceded "Lay Down Your Weapons," a spring 2013 collaboration with Rita Ora that reached the U.K. Top 20. "My Time," a summer single with New York R&B star Bridget Kelly, paved the way for K Koke's debut studio album, I Ain't Perfect, which was expected in September of the same year. ~ James Wilkinson