Music

UK rap reload

Presenting 12 artists who’ve enjoyed a 2020 career peak against the odds.

Rated by The Face: a weekly playlist

Featuring glacial dark pop, Drogheda drill and club-rap from the Cyberpunk 2077 soundtrack.

Taylor Swift’s Evermore: here to save 2020?

With her second surprise release of the year, the singer-songwriter has come to fix, well, whatever she can.

Listen to Brittany Broski’s feeling: sad <3 playlist

Most know her as “Kombucha Girl”, but the TikTok creator and basement comedy queen has moved beyond being a meme and is sharing a more unvarnished, emotional side in her playlist.

Beabadoobee: the bubble grunge internet sensation

A 20-year-old star of the social media age, Beabadoobee is part of the first generation to have near-instant access to endless socio-cultural archives, using them to create a look that is as much Smashing Pumpkins as it is Lizzie McGuire. She is yesterday, today and, probably, tomorrow. She is MEGA.

Biig Piig finds comfort in chaos

In partnership with FILA UK

“This ain’t every man for themselves”: Rico Nasty calls for Black sisterhood

The Big Interview: Mixing sugary hyperpop with aggressive punk rap, Rico’s explosive album Nightmare Vacation is a cathartic release to cap a traumatic year.

Listen to MoMa Ready’s feel-good mix

The prolific NYC producer blends warm-hearted house and techno.

Rated by The Face: a weekly playlist

Jorja jumps on a remix of Enny’s Peng Black Girls, Chlobocop switches up her style and Blinding Lights gets a Rosalía rework.

Rounding up TikTok’s 10 biggest hits of 2020

Gen Z’s top app has released its most-streamed tracks of the year. Can you guess who made the cut? Find out here.

100% Tems: all eyes are on Nigeria’s spine tingling alté star

The producer, songwriter and singer talks horoscopes and that time she received eight birthday cakes in one day. Show-off.

Ain’t Gotta Pretend: Enny’s rapping about her reality

The south Londoner has teamed up with label boss Jorja Smith for a remix of Peng Black Girls.

Comedian Jordan Firstman makes a fun funeral playlist

The comedian and writer for Netflix’s Big Mouth has put together a tracklist with a big memorial service vibe.

MADANII & L:LUCID: the duo using trap and Iranian folk songs to unite Berlin’s creatives in a time of uncertainty

In partnership with Dr. Martens

Rated by The Face: a weekly playlist

Bad Bunny rocks out, King Princess brings the pain and AJ Tracey secures the bag again.

Jorja Smith: the path worth taking

Liv Little finds the 23-year-old Walsall-born singer-songwriter on the cusp of an extraordinary second act – and offering up her full self for the first time.

Listen to Tijana T’s bittersweet mix

The Serbian DJ’s emotive selections will have you pining for the club.

100% Priya Ragu: the Tamil-Swiss singer inventing the genre-colliding sound of Raguwavy

The artist has defined her own style of music, blending soul, electro and pop with a nod to her South Indian heritage.

Watch Going In, a candid documentary about the UK rap scene

The film follows four artists who’ve turned their troubles and dreams into art.

Listen to Ruel’s tear-jerking playlist

It’s been a tough year. The Aussie pop singer has gathered some tunes which capture the mood.

Rated by The Face: a weekly playlist

Featuring NUKG from Conducta and JGrrey, NSG’s custard-praising hit and reggaeton rhythms from Kali Uchis.

Roy Blair: “I was completely lost from reality”

He's been up, he's been down. Now the 24-year-old singer-songwriter is ready to return brimming with confidence – and a house-inspired second album.

100% Amaarae: Afropop’s surreal rule-breaker

The Accra-based singer and producer talks signature dishes, classic Lil’ Kim looks and sending Trump to outer space.

Joe Black: the UK rap veteran now coaching football

The seasoned MC is teaching under-16s how to keep their eyes on the ball.