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Lewisham duo D-Block Europe lead a newly released list of the 10 highest-selling Black British acts in the UK. The list was unveiled by viagogo to mark Black History Month in October and Hip-Hop History month in November. The top 10 features Black British hip-hop acts Nines and Rizzle Kicks, plus other artists including RAYE, PinkPantheress and Olivia Dean who draw from a variety of genres including R&B, soul and pop.
Check out the top 10 below plus a handy reminder of one of their signature hits – and stream the full playlist on Spotify here.
D-Block Europe – ‘Ferrari Horses’ feat. Raye
This London hip-hop duo – DBE to fans – are so huge that they sold out three nights at The O2 in February. ‘Ferrari Horses’, a collaboration with fellow arena-filler RAYE, shows off their sharp wordplay with nods to Harrods, The Shard and other luxe landmarks. It became even more popular when DJ-producer Cassö posted an unofficial remix on TikTok. Rereleased as ‘Prada’, the remix hit Number Two in the UK and has amassed 778m Spotify streams.
Raye – ‘Escapism’ feat. 070 SHAKE
At this year’s Brit Awards, RAYE made history by taking home six prizes – the most by a single artist in one night. For seven years, the fiercely talented South Londoner was signed to a major label who tried to mould her into a dance artist, but she found her true sound once she went independent. ‘Escapism’, an ominous hip-hop bop with brilliant lyrics about a post-breakup meltdown, cemented her rise by hitting Number One in January 2023.
Nines – ‘Venting’ feat. Dave
British hip-hop icon Nines bowed out this year with his sixth and final studio album, ‘Quit While You’re Ahead’, and an emotional hometown show at London’s The O2. On 2019’s ‘Venting’, his most-streamed song to date, he and fellow rap iconoclast Dave deliver a searing state of the nation address. “All that bullshit that you see on the news,” Nine spits. “And what they teach in the schools has got the peoples confused.”
Olivia Dean – ‘Dive’
Inspired by the era-defining singer-songwriters Lauryn Hill and Amy Winehouse, Olivia Dean makes gleaming neo-soul music that feels contemporary yet timeless. She’s known for her aching heartbreak ballads but ‘Dive’, a highlight from her Mercury Prize-nominated debut ‘Messy‘, finds her in a giddier mood. It’s a stunning song about the butterfly rush of falling in love that charmed crowds from Glastonbury to Osaka on Dean’s 2024 summer tour.
Craig David – ‘Fill Me In’
Southampton’s Craig David became a Y2K icon with his sleek, hooky blend of UK garage, R&B and hip-hop. ‘Fill Me In’, his debut solo single, is a 2-step classic with relatable lyrics about a clandestine teenage romance. “We were just doing things young people in love do / Parents tryna find out what we were up to,” he sings with a wink. It’s sure to raise the decibel level at the UK’s arenas on David’s February 2025 tour.
Jorja Smith – ‘Be Honest’ feat. Burna Boy
Walsall’s Jorja Smith is the UK’s reigning queen of soulful R&B – she already has two Brit Awards and counts Drake, Kendrick Lamar and Stormzy as fans. ‘Be Honest’, a collaboration with Afrobeats pioneer Burna Boy, is a sunshine-filled outlier in her mostly sultry discography. When she sings “Catch feels, get high, if you make your bed, then you can lie,” it’s a teasing snapshot of an intense summer romance.
Cat Burns – ‘go’
London’s Cat Burns writes melodic indie-pop songs with a soulful edge. ‘Go’, her biggest hit to date, is a breezy breakup ballad that shows off her plainspoken style. “So don’t call this number anymore / ‘Cause I won’t be there for you like I was before,” she sings, giving her ex the elbow. This year was a big one for Burns, who dropped her debut album ‘Early Twenties’ and completed a UK tour with a jubilant hometown show at London’s Roundhouse.
PinkPantheress – ‘Boy’s A Liar Pt. 2’
Singer-producer PinkPantheress built a following on TikTok with a succession of economical alt-pop bops. The offbeat bubblegum of ‘Boy’s A Liar’ showcases her flair for making music that’s fresh and inventive but also has an ineffable nostalgic quality. When New York rapper Ice Spice jumped on a remix, it became a US Top 10 smash that’s now approaching 1billion Spotify streams. At this point, the world is her oyster.
Beverley Knight – ‘Shoulda Woulda Coulda’
Wolverhampton’s Beverley Knight is arguably the greatest vocalist in the UK – Prince once flew her across the Atlantic to perform at his star-studded Oscar party. ‘Shoulda Woulda Coulda’, a UK Top Ten hit in 2002, is a sparkling example of her smooth neo-soul style, but she’s also recorded everything from rock to R&B and house. As befits an artist who’s become a true British institution, she headlined London’s Royal Albert Hall this September.
Rizzle Kicks – ‘Down With The Trumpets’
Released in 2011, this ska-flecked hip-hop banger became Rizzle Kicks‘ breakthrough hit when it stormed into the UK Top Ten. It’s an irresistible showcase for the Brighton duo’s hooky, musically omnivorous style and cheeky British wordplay. “Got vibes and charisma – lighter and Rizla,” Jordan Stephens raps playfully. After an eight-year hiatus, Stephens and bandmate Harley Alexander-Sule have recently reunited for a March 2025 tour. Bring it on.
The post 10 massive tunes by the UK’s biggest-selling Black British artists appeared first on NME.
