AUGUST PICKS: ARTISTS TO LOOK OUT FOR

JIM LEGXACY

Jim Legxacy’ black british music (2025) will go down as one of the most important album releases of the year. As the title suggests, Jim Legxacy pays homage to the British music legends that have paved the way while carefully adding his name to the list. This has been a quintessential part of Legxacy’s music and artistic style since his come-up in 2019. From ferocious rap verses to his impressive singing range to being a talented, experimental producer to utilising the DIY culture of the early grime days, the 21-year-old from Lewisham can just about do it all. Yet it is his third album, black british music, which aims for a more polished and seamless sound as he discusses some of his most personal issues: loss, homelessness, displacement and identity.

From sprinkling Skepta influences throughout the album to sampling Usher’s ‘U Remind Me’ (2001) and Case’s ‘Missing You’ (2008)on his ‘sos’ track, Legxacy’s creativity in paying homage and reworking samples is unmatched ‘3x’, Legxacy blends the beginning instrumentals of ‘That’s Not Me’ (2016) by Skepta and JME seamlessly into the melodic production of the track. Additionally, Legxacy partnered up with rap heavyweight Dave to interpolate Dave’s ‘Wanna Know’ (2016). The pair have natural chemistry while discussing how the rap game has changed. His versatility is on full display in tracks like ‘New David Bowie’, which moves from a Bollywood banger to a fierce rap performance, to a catchy pop song in the space of over two minutes. In contrast, ‘Sun’ is a warm Afropop track which uses the rising sun as a symbol to navigate grief. These are just glimpses into a rich, layered, and personal album that is both nostalgic and forward-thinking.

Fave Tracks: ‘andromeda’ ‘, tiger driver’, ‘3x,’ ‘stick’

Matt Lansky

Matt Lansky is a Nigerian British musician and rapper. Growing up as an introvert, music initially served as a means of escape. But it has since evolved into an expression that he has been carefully crafting since 2023. Lansky pairs his vocals with a hunger in his rap verses over trap-wave and rap production, which are reminiscent of A2 and M Huncho. There’s a therapeutic element in his expression, tracks like ‘Leave Me Let Go’ show Lansky’s vulnerability and accountability as he discusses the hardships of ending relationships. In ‘Better’ and ‘I’m Fine’, the rapper reiterates a similar sense of transparency while being candid about his mistakes, his past and his expectations. With co-signs from Krept and Konan and Potter Payper, Matt Lansky is an underrated talent.

Fave Tracks: ‘I’m Fine,’ ‘Spin,’ ‘Broken Pieces’

kold af

Inspired by the likes of Rihanna and Mahalia, Kold AF is a 23-year-old singer from Delta, Nigeria. Her fusion of those pop sensations with Nigeria’s deep and rich musical traditions of artists like Cynthia Morgan makes her an exciting new talent. Kold AF blends afrobeats, rnb, pop and dancehall, creating a colourful and upbeat afro fusion across her releases so far. She’s bold, confident and unapologetic, similar to the likes of Ayra Starr and Tyla. With an immense passion for creativity and empowerment, she’s eager to explore her musical artistry, stating that “music is a blank canvas and you can paint with sound” (Guardian Life, 2025). Her messages to women and drive to resist social expectations stem from her desire to break free of any boxes that confine them. With a promising and exciting future ahead, her ambitions to empower women and young people are already taking shape.

Fave Tracks: ‘Manyana’ and ‘My Way’