Charlie Sloth: 'It’s only a matter of time before we break the states with a UK rap artist'

BBC Radio One and 1Xtra DJ Charlie Sloth says it is only a matter of time before UK rap artists will “break the states” as the US rap industry is finally realising that the UK has “fresh talent”.

The self appointed People’s Prince told Standard Showbiz that UK artists are no longer afraid to explore new styles and are proud to show off their British accents, which helps with their success across the pond.

Sloth, 27, said: “There was a time when it felt forced, when a radio DJ played a UK track after a US track - it was almost like a commercial break. Nowadays, that same mentor gets excited to share his thoughts about the latest Lunar C track or Stormzy freestyle.”

He continued: “We’ve developed brave artists in the UK who aren’t afraid to explore new styles, trying to find their own voice and proud of their English accent. Artists like Krept & Konan, a duo from South London, Ghetts from East London, Wretch 32 from North London and Potter Payper from Essex are just a few who all have their own distinctive sound and look.”

British artists have been included in the BET Awards, Sam Smith and Ed Sheeran are selling out shows, music producers like Al Shux – who produced Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ Empire State of Mind – are starting to get noticed, and with American events like the NFL coming to London, Sloth believes it’s only a matter of time before the UK rap industry fully “breaks the states”.

He said: “If not this generation then I'm confident that it'll be the artists that this generation influenced to pick up a pen, a pad, a mic and tell their stories.”

Charlie Sloth Hood Heat Vol One is on sale Monday 8 Decemeber. Pre order here