At The Pit London, our passion is discovery. This ethos runs through everything we do. There are countless exciting, compelling and challenging new acts that we feel like aren’t getting the plaudits that they deserve. Below is the second part of a shortlist of artists, each with under 100k monthly listeners on Spotify, that we believe are the sound of 2022. By the end of the year, we expect these artists to take over. This is your opportunity to catch on early. 

Xadi 

Current Monthly Listeners: 52,134

Key 2021 Track: Acting Up

Sound in a Nutshell: A hit machine floating around the alternative stratosphere ready for his moment to take the industry by storm

Why they are 1 2 Watch: Xadi’s sonic journey has only just begun. Throughout his eclectic batch of solo and collaborative releases in 2021, it has become clear that Xadi is as comfortable singing as rapping, seamlessly switching between R&B and rap efforts in the most fruitful year of his career. Despite having illustrated his versatility in abundance, there is an overwhelming sense that Xadi’s sound could either delve deeper into experimental nonconformity or swim ashore to mainstream acclaim. It’s going to be an entertaining ride either way. 

Check out their music here

Clbrks

Current Monthly Listeners: 11,728

Key 2021 Track: FORWHATITSWORTH

Sound in a Nutshell: Rip-roaringly entertaining lyricism over grandiose, jazzy production

Why they are 1 2 Watch: An eternally surprising and intriguing enigma, CL seems to have the pick of the producers, having worked with many of the hottest beat-makers in UK underground hip hop. Most recently, the rapper teamed up with acclaimed American producer Dweeb to deliver the conceptual masterstroke The Library of Babel, a near perfect 22 minutes of noir soundscapes and unparalleled, borderline-absurdist wordplay. The album was unveiled in February however, and since then we’ve had to make to with featured verses (consistently brilliant features, mind you). It seems guaranteed that we will be blessed with at least one new body of work in 2022. Having released some of the best underground rap content I’ve heard in the last few years, maybe this is the year people start taking notice of the peerless Clbrks. 

Check out their music here

Deyah

Current Monthly Listeners: 44,768

Key 2021 Track: Ultimate Dinner Party 

Sound in a Nutshell: Dreamy, daring and darkly humorous narration presented through meticulously snappy flows and coyly conversational delivery

Why they are 1 2 Watch: From the first inflection of the eerie synth in Ultimate Dinner Party I took notice of Deyah. We’ve seen female rappers like Little Simz, Lex Amor and Enny getting some long overdue wider industry attention this year, but one who has largely flown under the radar is Cardiff’s own Deyah. Following up her 2020 debut album Care City with a playful, nuanced and vibrant EP Exit the Dance, Deyah is the kind of narrator you can’t help root for, with her funny and honest lyricism shining through. 

Check out their music here

Deema

Current Monthly Listeners: 79,989

Key 2021 Track: RAINBOW

Sound in a Nutshell: Cheeky grime flows and thoughtful lyricism sit atop vibrant sample-laden instrumentals

Why they are 1 2 Watch: Having made a name for himself as a member of grime collective The Square, Catford rapper Deema has been heavy in the thoughts of alternative rap fans since his breakthrough single with alt gem Kish! Maddie. He has since released two EP’s, with this year’s RAINBOW EP a particularly impressive collection of songs. Deema’s grime background gives his delivery an effortlessly commanding edge; gliding through his diverse beat choices with tongue-in-cheek ease and charisma. With releases rich in quality and quantity, don’t be surprised if Deema is one of the biggest alternative rappers in the UK by the end of the year. 

Check out their music here

BXKS 

Current Monthly Listeners: 9,584

Key 2021 Track: Mean Amount 

Sound in a Nutshell: Playful alternative rap with a healthy portion of groove and a dash of experimentation 

Why they are 1 2 Watch: Another exciting name to emerge from the depths of underground hip hop, BXKS’s recent album Hack The Planet is an immensely enjoyable listen. An expert at crafting visual characters, BXKS’s artwork is as creative as her wordplay and storytelling, with consistently vibrant beats ensuring an immersive listening experience. Like Deyah, she has been under appreciated within the industry in 2021, but BXKS’s quality seems bound to shine through in the new year. 

Check out their music here