Loyle Carner

Loyle Carner doesn’t care for bling or bravado. This rapper from London lives a real life and makes real music. His sound is a warm bath of lazy flows and leisurely beats, where old-school hip-hop meets UK soul – all created with the help of friends like Tom Misch, Sampha, Jorja Smith and Kae Tempest. The man is intelligent enough to bring subjects to a wide audience where others would give them a wide berth. For example, on his majestic third album ‘Hugo’ (2023), he takes a light touch to his mixed heritage and his complex relationship with his father. Interestingly, Carner is a cookery teacher as well as a rapper and activist. For many years now, he’s been organising free cookery workshops for young people who, like him, have ADHD; because cooking aids focus.