Niall Smith, Author at NME

The Lagos artist – born Michael Adebayo – envisions a free-flowing and experimental world of sound as Ruger

On his third album – and first since 2020 – the British-Gambian star taps Drake, Burna Boy and more for a scattershot burst of brilliance

Inspired by his '00s rap heroes, the 'Us Against The World' hitmaker moves with impressive flair between sounds

The hip-hop veterans unite for a muddled, but sometimes brilliant, cruise down Sunset Boulevard

The final instalment of the ‘King’s Disease’ series houses punchy Hit-Boy beats that are purpose-built for the New York wordsmith’s dynamic rhymes

The sprawling 23-track collection – starring Young Thug and more – shows flashes of the Atlantan star’s finest, and most tedious, traits

Having cemented himself as a sharp songwriter on Craig David’s recent ‘22’ LP, Nippa is now laser-focused on remoulding modern R&B

The genre-shifting rapper and skater has earned some big-name endorsements for his music following his 2018 move to New York City

The pals and collaborators – who met via social media during lockdown – are climbing the charts with their slick, sample-heavy hits

The 19-year-old’s debut mixtape is equal parts a love letter to his Brighton home town and an unflinching tale of self-discovery