Taking a look at South London’s up and coming musical talent in 2021

South London’s most creative music is thriving despite the handicaps caused by lockdown. Here MELISSA KASULE picks a selection of up-and-coming artists who could make an impact in 2021.

A rapper is getting showered with love for his latest single after a year out of making music.

Lavish K, 18, from Kennington, who previously performed drill behind a ski mask has rebranded with a new sound and image on his stripped back, summer-like tune – Yo Sho.

The music video follows the unmasked teen looking high in spirits, splashing cash, rolling around in a red convertible while popping champagne bottles with friends.

Yo Sho has since racked up over 100,000 views on YouTube,.

In an interview with Wordplay Mag, Lavish K said: “It all started during school in Year 11. My friends and I used to go into spare classrooms at break time, slap on beats and just rap. It was a way for us to pass the time and just do something entertaining you know.

“It then became this competitive thing, where we would always try to one up each other and see who had the best bars. I got really into it and would go home each day, teaching myself how to rap, slowly getting better and once everyone saw that I had a genuine talent for it I decided to take it more seriously and now here we are.

“I have always had a love for music, but I decided to only properly pursue a career in music just over a year ago and I definitely wouldn’t be here now if it wasn’t for my friends gassing me up in the beginning. That gave me the confidence to do music properly and chase it as a possible job.”

A young rapper has received praise for her empowering take of black womanhood.

British-Nigerian rapper ENNY, who is from Thamesmead, attracted more than one million views in less than a week on her live performance of her song on the YouTube music channel, COLORS.

The feel-good anthem, Peng Black Girls, combats colourism, with ENNY celebrating the diverse girls and women in the black community.

Filmed where ENNY grew up, the rapper pays homage to her Nigerian roots in the official music video dressed in the traditional attire, while surrounded by her female friends and family.

The rising artist performed a remix of the song on COLORS with the English singer Jorja Smith.

A rapper has become the one to watch – from sitting in a jail cell to leading the drill music scene.

Deptford rapper Darren Diggs also known as DigDat flaunts his newfound wealth on his most recent song VV after spending five years in prison.

The 21-year-old was arrested and sentenced to prison aged 13 and often shares about his time behind bars in his lyrics.

He raps: “What you know about sitting in jail. And you feel like the pillow’s giving you spots.

“I came outta jail, no CV, went TT, I got instant grams”

The song title VV is a reference to diamond clarity grading category – Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS) diamonds that are difficult to see under magnification.

DigDat boasts about his glamorous lifestyle in the latest music video outside a lavish mansion, wearing big flashy chains and diamond grills.

The single has gained over one million views on YouTube.

The rising star made his debut into the UK charts in 2018 on the single Air forces.

DigDat has since collaborated with Lambeth drill artist K Trap and Croydon rap duo, Krept and Konan.

A drill rapper has had her male peers on their toes since arriving onto the scene.

Brixton rapper, Cristale, is creating a lot of noise after going viral for her freestyle on the urban music YouTube channel, Mixtape Madness.

The upcoming artist delivers some hard-hitting lyrics and a slick flow on the four- minute video.

The beloved freestyle attracted more than 100,000 views.

Most known for her remixes of UK favourite rap tunes, Cristale dropped her first official single in September titled Whites, with the visuals filmed in Jamaica Road, Bermondsey.

In true fashion of a rap star, the music video follows Cristale jumping out of a grand sports car geared up in a tracksuit with an entourage behind her.

Main Pic: Lavish K