WAG-1 UK’s Top 10 CHH Artists For Your 2026 Playlist

Wag1 my people from your boy Mistermarkgee from across the pond! 2025 has been yet another amazing year where we have seen Artists in the UK shine their light with their God-given talents to proclaim Christ with excellence. There is no better way to end the year by highlighting 10 artists that have made a remarkable contribution to Christian Hip Hop and Urban Gospel music. I begin by firstly speaking about the amazing young lyricist who has burst into the scene and has demonstrated enormous talent and skill  from the British Isles.  

DC3

DC3 is an 18-year-old British lyricist of an excellent standard of Zimbabwean descent based in Northampton, a city sixty-eight miles north of London. A serious boom-bap versatile young buck whose lyricism has impressed the masses and, more so, even gained kudos from the upper echelon of contemporary UK rap-revered rappers. His impact is clear to see- a rapper with a large monthly listening on streaming platforms, bagging awards, including two in the recent A Step Fwd Awards. Moreover, super-engaging social media content employs short cinematic reels that display his visual storytelling to complement his lyrical prowess. Did I say that he has collaborated with the likes of Lecrae, Limoblaze, Still Shadey and Hulvey, too? Yes, he bodies on those collabs too! See for yourself!

The reason his appeal has broadened beyond the Christian audience is, firstly, his lyrical skills and flow on beat are undeniable, and his artistic genius is evident. For example, if you attempt to rap on a Michael Jackson or Kanye West classic beat and you kill it, then in my view there is no further evidence required to demonstrate his giftedness.

Furthermore, though his Christian faith is evident in music, the subject matter in his music is real-life issues; thus, non-Christians, especially those who have a love for hip hop with a “conscious” bent, love DC3 upon stumbling upon his music. One thing I find is that Christian Hip-Hop has broadened its appeal when it demonstrates how it engages with life subject matters and defeats the misconception that the genre is lofty, speaking on merely spiritual themes or being “preachy’ all the time.

Born in a Christian home and son of a minister, contemporary Gospel Music was his go-to until his sister introduced him to Hip-Hop. He fell in love with the genre and began writing and rapping himself. At first the artist was writing lyrics on similar subject matter that is often heard on mainstream radio. This was  until he was challenged to be authentic in his lyrics. In a recent award show upon winning the award for “Best Newcomer”  at the Premier Gospel Awards, the artist mentioned how he once considered giving up as success was not achieved sooner than he anticipated. However, the artist admitted that he recognised traction and success once he focused on writing music not focused on numbers but rather  to communicate the truth from his vantage point.    

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Feed’em

Born in Congo DRC and raised in the UK, Tracy Lenga aka Feed’em boasts 10 years in the game as a grime MC. Feed’em has solidified himself as a household name in UK gospel music. He is a major champion of this British genre which is higher in Beats per minute than the rap style Americans are normally acquainted to. (140 BPM).

Not only that, but the artist has also founded a marketing company that helps other artists with strategies to build their brand awareness. In addition, he hosts various freestyle shows on his YouTube channel and radio highlighting well-known names in UK CHH as well as the emerging new kids on the block.

His latest album Gospel of Grime is a critically acclaimed project demonstrating his lyrical and flow prowess and employing his skillset to communicate the gospel message. This is while using the sound the UK urban streets are acquainted with. He has a heart for the youth using his music as a tool to testify to God’s goodness. Further evidence of his heart for young people is his role as a youth leader in a Christian organisation founded to reach out to those prone to trouble among demographics.

This year he hosted a headline show celebrating the music and ministry the Lord has graced him with. Furthermore, there is still more to come from him as an artist and the pivotal role he plays in championing UK Christian Hip Hop and Gospel music.

Reblah

Like Feed’em Reblah is no stranger to the scene with his first project released in 2017. Four albums deep the artist still has fire in his belly. Four albums deep the artist is now churning out singles regularly featuring formidable artists from around the world from the likes of Anike and Nashbi in the USA, to Marizu, Tbabz and Jo Joey in the UK.

The artist not only loves to communicate the gospel message but loves to incorporate different flavours to the music from RnB to Drill, Grime and Afrobeats. It is not strange then that the artist is a top favourite because of his overt ministerial heart incorporated with the rich musicality and top-notch Production.

King Jims

In the inner city he is known as Olly a local missionary part of London City Mission an organisation committed to the evangelisation of the country’s capital going out to streets, visiting homes and prisons. When he picks up the Mic, he is King Jims (Acronym for King Jesus Is my Saviour) employing the drum and bass sound to drop gospel music gems.

Drum and Bass is a super high energy genre with beats going as high as 160-180 BPM. Thus, lyrical ability and an elastic flow is necessary when making music of this style and King Jims has it all. He has released tracks with his friends such as Cerose Angler and Blazer to drop bangers with great gospel edification combined with the high energetic and electrical nature of the music.

Kaye-Marie

If you are looking for impressive Rnb and neo-soul music, then look no further than Kaye-Marie. A wonderful soulful singer which is self-evident and well deserving of clinching the Best Rnb artist award at the Step Fwd  2025 edition of the show.

Though based in the UK, the artist has gained worldwide appeal gaining fans as far as Johannesburg to Rio de Janeiro. With over 100, 000 monthly listeners the artist has churned out amazing ballads all whilst pursuing a medical degree a feat that I can imagine is not easy to do. One fine example of this is the song “I surrender” , a wonderful neo-soul worship ballad that expresses deep devotion to the Lord. A song that is a must-add on your worship playlist that will bless your quiet times with your heavenly father.

Imrhan

 The artist was a well-known secular artist known as Lotto Ash and part of the popular Birmingham based duo Lotto Boyz. This artist is amazingly multifaceted, able to rap as well as sing, combining all manner of genres from rap to afrobeats and reggae.

Artists find it daunting making such a transition from secular to gospel but Imran lauds his fidelity to Christ and shunning the pleasures, rewards, and accolades of the world. Such sentiment is evident in songs such as “I will not lose” where he sings with confidence of his faith in Christ despite what he might lose in return, even if it means enduring persecution. Persecution of Christians is very prevalent sadly in our world today and this issue serves as the basis of inspiration for the track.

Now a solo artist Imrhan has found his home in UK gospel and the talent he is well known of has not diminished at all but rather shines bright more so now that he makes music for God’s glory.

Esther Durin

Like the previous artist Esther started in secular music and made a swift departure to serve the Lord with her gift. The self-titled “Esther” album has gained over 150,000 streams and has a single featuring Kaye-Marie (see the music video below). Also, another example that the Rnb genre is still well-loved and here to stay.

Just like Imrhan it is amazing to see artists counting the cost and still deciding to leave the secular music pursuit to serve God. I hope this encourages any creative person at the crossroads deciding how to use their gifts and considering the intended purpose and see evidence that surrendering to God is always the best choice!

Si Knightly

If you are wondering if there are any lyrical theologians in the UK since S.O who later joined  Lampmode recordings  then look no further!

The artist has been releasing singles showing his impressive flow with lyrics rich in biblical truth. With songs such as “If God Is for Us” and “Christus Victor” a track that offers encouragement inspired by sacred truths that encourage the believers that we see clearly from the bible such as Romans chapter 8. In a conversation with me he informed me that he is in the process of working on an album based on the very same chapter.

 

Still Shadey

The artist released the deluxe version of the “Glorious News” a highly acclaimed album that features renowned artists including Lecrae.

The artist has also made an impact beyond the studio booth and stages sitting as the director of Ment4, an organization that helps young people find their purpose and their creative choices in his local South London Croydon borough.

His community work aside the artist has demonstrated his passion for excellence in all his creative execution from award-winning cinematic music videos such as for the “mirror mirror” track  to his ability to fill big arenas for live performances the artist has made great strides and I am sure there is more on the way.

Ayarna

The UK boasts in female emcee counterparts to those Stateside and Ayarna is one of them leading the way. After a hiatus away, the rapper is back and ready to roar. She, like Lotto, is based in the West Midlands which goes to show that there is amazing talent beyond the country’s capital.

Although known for her rapping and in-your-face truth telling lyrics the artist is taking it up a notch by releasing bashment music. Bashment is a genre derived from the Jamaican Dancehall genre during the 70s often played in parties and high energy events with artists and dance crews constantly creating new moves and trends that become popular in the scene. The genre is notoriously known for outlaw themes such as “gun talk” and Ayarna intends to be a witness of Christ to the audience who love this genre.  

For those amongst us who are from the Caribbean islands or just love island music, she is one to follow as she embarks on this route as she opens the next chapter of her music ministry. 

Merry Christmas and have an awesome 2026

What a great year this has been, this is not merely artists doing amazing things but saints using their gifts to glorify Christ and to make the gospel known. I pray that you have a great Christmas celebrating the saviour’s birth and resolve to serve Christ in 2026 with even greater zeal and with whatever gifts and talents the Lord has bestowed to you!  (1 Corinthians 15:58) 

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