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After Skepta, here are the next five grime acts you need to know about

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After Skepta, here are the next five grime acts you need to know about
16 September 2016

Last night, at London's Hammersmith Apollo, a musical miracle happened.

The winner of the Mercury Music Prize was announced and everyone pretty much agreed with the judges' decision. Grime hero Skepta walked away with the £25,000 prize for his Konnichiwa album and even those who wanted pre-show favourite David Bowie to win a posthumous award for his mesmerising Blackstar agreed that he would have approved of the decision.

Straight after the ceremony, he told the BBC that he plans to do, "Something positive [with the money], something to help other people feel as happy and as free as me. We're doing a project right now, actually, building a studio in my old estate to help the young kids do music."

So with grime firmly at the forefront of the musical landscape, what better time to take a look at those who will soon be following in Skepta's footsteps? Keep an eye on these guys over the next twelve months.


Avelino

The 23-year-old Tottenham rapper has been championed by Wretch 32, been nominated for best breakthrough at GRM Daily Awards and gained serious attention courtesy of his stunning Fire in the Booth performances on Charlie Sloth's 1Xtra show - which you can see above, where he immaculately showcases his supremely silky smooth flow. Having released his debut EP FYO in April, hopefully we'll see an album in 2017.


Jammz

Following the footsteps of fellow East Londoners Wiley and Dizzee Rascal, Jammz has made his name via pirate radio - and, indeed, is signed to CTA Records, which is co-run by grime godfather Wiley. Showcasing a more abrasive vocal style than Avelino, he also produces his own tracks, as well as working with the likes of Plastician.


Elf Kid

Aged just 19, Lewisham's Elf Kid smashed his way into the scene with the Amerie 1 Thing-sampling Golden Boy in December 2015, which features a brilliantly infectious video showing him taking photos with OAPs and larking around with his mates in a shopping trolley. Showcasing the same cheeky chappy vibe as a young Dizzee, if he can come up with a couple more bangers as good as this, then success will be guaranteed.


Jaykae

Part of Mike Skinner’s Tonga Balloon Gang, Birmingham's Jaykae has an unlikely fan in the form of Team GB swimming hero Adam Peaty, who bigged him up during a BBC interview. The rapper messaged him to thank him for the support and the two have kept in touch, with Peaty bagging Britain's first swimming gold medal in 24 years in Rio. Jaykae has an uncompromising lyrical style and cuts an intimidating figure at 6 foot 2 and 16 stone. We certainly wouldn't mess with him anyway.


Lady Leshurr

Possibly the artist most poised to breakthrough - arguably, she has already, given that she got her first NME cover this year and her 2015 track Queen's Speech Ep.4 has racked up 32 million YouTube plays - Birmingham's Lady Leshurr is undoubtedly grime royalty, with her clever lyrics and distinctive vocal style. If she achieves nothing else, she's almost certainly improved the dental health of the nation with her 'brush your teeth' refrain. Literally, they should prescribe her music on the NHS.