In the UK, urban music has long been dominated by hip hop and grime artists, who’ve consistently taken the top spots in the UK charts consistently over the years. While hip hop artists aren’t quite as big in the UK as they are in the US, there are still names that are known nationwide.

So if you are interested in knowing more about hip hop from the United States, I suggest that you check out these artists:

1. Chipmunk

This UK rapper’s real name is Jahamaal Fyffe, but he chose the more pronounceable (and slightly ridiculous) stage moniker of Chipmunk. Chipmunk won the best UK newcomer at the MOBO awards in 2008. His new album, “I Am a Chipmunk” is dropping this November and has built up a lot of hype. While he is a newcomer, his style has already won him a lot of fans and is definitely one artist worth checking out.

2. Bashy

Real name Ashley Thomas, he sometimes also goes by the stage name “Twat”. He released his debut solo album in Jan 09. Previously won acclaim for the controversial track “Black Boys“.

3. Wiley

Wiley is a MC and producer whose real name is Richard Kylea Cowie. He is well known as being one of the pioneers of the sub-genre of Grime. Also well known as one of the founders of the Roll Deep Crew. Wiley found mainstream success with the single “Wear My Rolex” released in 2008.

4. N-Dubz

A MOBO (Music of Black Origin) award winning hip hop trio comprising of Dino “Dappy” Contostavlos, Tula “Tulisa” Contostavlos, and Richard “Fazer” Rawson hit the UK charts with their debut album, “Uncle B“, which was certified platinum. They have been going strong consistently after hitting the mainstream.

5. Ghetts

Ghetts real name is Justin Jude Clarke Samuel. This East London rapper is one of the pioneers of Grime and has received a lot of mainstream coverage. His debut album will be released in 2009, named “Rebel With a Cause” after winning a lot of fans with his underground mixtapes.

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A couple of weeks back, I finally got onto Last.fm and got myself a premium membership.

Now their software sits on my desktop, and whenever I launch my iTunes, it pops open. I can just type the name of an artist – say, Mos Def – and it’ll play songs either by the artist, or by artists that sound like him.

Last.fm Software/Client

Over time, Last.fm learns of my music tastes and plays music that I like. So if I play a lot of Eminem in my iTunes, very little of Asher Roth, then it’ll detect that I like the Eminem sound more and play me more music like that.

The monthly membership costs $3 – a pittance, honestly.

The best part? I’ve discovered more new music in the past one month than I did in the past two years. Bands and artists I’d never heard of are now my iTunes staples. I’m discovering entirely new genres of music – Lounge and House music, for instance – as well as new artists. There is a definite heavy emphasis on independent and new artists in the suggestions by Last.fm, which is a great thing for people like me.

If you are a serious music lover – and I bet you are since you read Rappers.org – then definitely get a Last.fm subscription. You won’t regret it.

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