Rappers from the London Borough of Hackney

Sir Idrissa Akuna Elba is an English actor, DJ, and rapper. He has received a Golden Globe Award as well as nominations for three BAFTA Awards and six Emmy Awards. He was named in the Time 100 list of the Most Influential People in the World in 2016. His films have grossed over $9.8 billion at the global box office, making him one of the top 20 highest-grossing actors. In 2025, Elba was named as the UK's ninth-most influential Black person in the 2026 Powerlist.

Timothy Lee McKenzie (born 4 January 1989), better known by his stage name Labrinth, is a British retired singer, songwriter, rapper, and record producer. Labrinth signed as a recording artist with Simon Cowell's record label Syco Music in 2010, initially collaborating with the English rapper Tinie Tempah. He appeared as a featured artist: uncredited on the single "Pass Out", but later officially on "Frisky"; then he released his first solo single, "Let the Sun Shine" in September. All three songs peaked in the top five on the UK Singles Chart.Peak positions on the UK Singles Chart:

English rapper and singer-songwriter

British singer, rapper, dancer, and DJ

British rapper

Jamie Adenuga (born 4 May 1985), known professionally as Jme, is an English grime MC, songwriter, record producer, rapper and DJ. He is the co-founder of the crew and label Boy Better Know. He also serves as a sole owner and director of an associated company, Boy Better Know Limited, which he incorporated in 2008. He was previously part of the grime collective Meridian Crew and later Roll Deep alongside his older brother, Skepta.

British singer and rapper

British actor

Chanel Scot Cali (born 25 December 1983), better known by her stage name Shystie, is an English rapper, songwriter and actress.

Stephan Allen (born 11 November 1993), better known by his stage name Dutchavelli, is a British rapper. His name comes in part from the fact that he and his family (including his sister, Stefflon Don, a rapper) spent their formative years in Rotterdam, and he initially went under the name 'Dutch'. He has worked with artists such as Stormzy, Gzuz, and Tion Wayne and has achieved Top 40 hits with songs such as "I Dunno", "Burning" and "808", the former peaking at number 7 in the charts.

British rapper

Lukman Olanrewaju Odunaike (born 17 April 1998), better known by his stage name Not3s (pronounced Notes), is an English rapper and singer from Hackney, London. His songs include "My Lover" and "Fine Line", both of which are collaborations with Mabel.