Fimiguerrero, Len and Lancey Foux’s track Osbatt is a debauched alt rap smash

There’s much music out there and sometimes it’s hard to keep up.

Rather than letting the algorithm dictate your music taste, you can listen to Rated by THE FACE – a playlist that’s updated by our (human) editorial team every week.

Fimiguerrero, Len & Lancey Foux – Osbatt

These guys have been killing recently. Fimiguerrero and Len just blew up on TikTok with their infectious rage rap banger Excuse My French, while Black & Tan – Lancey Foux’s autotune-garbled collab with fellow London rapper YT – is one of 2024’s definitive UK underground anthems. They’ve now seized the moment with a collaborative album, Conglomerate, and Osbatt is a crunchy, corrupted and psychedelic highlight. Hopefully this is enough to silence the defeatists who’ve been saying that UK rap has gone stale. DR

Deela – Big Deel ft. BXKS

British-Nigerian artist Deela and Luton-raised MC BXKS have both recently got the dancefloor moving at THE FACE’s New Noise North shows. On the Big Deel – taken from Deela’s new EP Good Girl No Dey Pay – the slick and stylish artists fling out boasts and insults without breaking a sweat. DR

Jeshi – Saint or Sinner ft. Sainté

Jeshi’s just announced that his second album Airbag Woke Me Up will drop on 24^th January and judging by the three singles he’s dropped so far, it’s going to be a wild ride. The latest, Saint or Sinner – which appropriately features fellow UK rapper Sainté – is tinged with melancholy as the pair reflect on the duality of life. ​“Saint or a sinner? Double checkin’ my mirror, know life mad ego only gettin’ bigger,” Jeshi raps to smooth, upbeat production. About halfway through the track, he fittingly flips the switch, sending things down a much darker, bassier sonic path that’s complete with distorted vocals. Can’t have the highs without the lows, right? JW

Nega Brandon – OMA (One Man Army)

On debut full length So Far, So Good, Nega Brandon reels off diaristic bars over languid hip-hop beats and poignant soundscapes which occasionally crackle with warmth like an old vinyl record. On OMA (One Man Army), the North London rapper is soothed by the sound of gently strummed guitars as he races through his hopes and fears. DR

Leo Bhanji – Book 1

It’s been three years since Leo Bhanji has released any music. The understated London artist chose to spend that time honing his craft rather than forcing music out for the sake of it. The gamble has paid off: Book 1 is typically lo-fi and gritty, but this time there’s more depth to his songwriting. Against a backdrop of soft, grungy guitar, Leo reflects on the pitfalls and rewards of opening up. His conclusion? It’s hard, but worth it. JW