PS Hitsquad has endured a rollercoaster of a career since his bursting onto the scene in 2017. Whereas his natural talent for constructing and delivering impeccable rhyme schemes and flows has never been doubted, the biggest blocker to PS’s artistic success has often come from his own personal life. A Peckham native, PS has been rapping for nearly a decade now, but like many of his peers, the process of taking rap seriously as a career has been an evolutionary period. Starting off as simply a member of Peckham based musical collective Zone 2, his work with close friends and collaborators such as Kwengface and Trizzac was what helped him burst into the scene in the first place, and to this day remains a very close source of inspiration for him.
From early, it was clear though that PS was different, and not only to his fellow Zone 2 members, but even in the scheme of the entire UK drill landscape. Sporting electrifying flows, charismatic but considered within his lyrics, and the capacity to provide real perspective to his life, there was always something about PS that marked him out as a talent to watch.
PS’s career can be looked at through the lens of a couple of different themes. One of them is undoubtedly musical excellence – in a saturated scene in which everyone is a rapper, PS Hitsquad has constantly stood out as an exemplary example of a rapper who can really do it all. Whether it’s weaving between different flow patterns, dropping similes and metaphors with ease, or tapping into the realities of his life and giving into a window into the person behind the mask, when it comes to drill music there is little doubt that PS is truly a ‘complete’ rapper. Combine all of this technical ability with the backing of the streets, and it’s no wonder that PS Hitsquad has been cemented as an immovable pillar of the UK Drill scene. That is to say, that PS is part of an exclusive and rare group of UK Drill rappers who could stop releasing music today and still find their face on the figurative Mount Rushmore for the genre.
However, the second theme has been less positive for his career. Whilst there is no doubting the talent and ability of PS Hitsquad, his journey has also been defined by almost cyclical periods of trials and tribulations, almost always just as it seems he is just about to fully realise his commercial potential at the top of the UK Drill scene. Usually coming in the form of confrontations with the law, it’s been well documented that PS Hitsquad has been a notable target and has consequently had to deal with frequent periods away from being able to physically release music. As a result, PS’s career has become synonymous with short bursts of total domination followed by extended periods away from the immediate consciousness of his listeners. With that said, his music has always had a certain gravitas that ensured that whilst these breaks became almost expected, his fanbase only became more loyal and tested, resulting in each time he came home his reception only growing in impact.
As a result, when we look at PS’s career to date retrospectively, it is marked by peaks and troughs. There are often periods of brilliance, with consistent releases and significant hype around his name, followed by down periods, often due to him being taken away for a paid trip by the government. His journey has relied on resilience, and shown that talent alone, is by no means a guarantee of a quick and smooth transition to mainstream attention.
Going into 2017, PS Hitsquad and his wider Zone 2 compatriots already had a presence in the ever-growing UK drill scene. The release of both “No Hook” and “Zone 2 Step” in 2016 were the first taste of what Zone 2 as a group and PS as an individual would provide to the UK Drill sound. Rapping with what would become his trademark cheeky but layered disses and intricate flow patterns, both of these tracks were watershed moments for Drill music and denoted the entrance of a new group into the landscape to challenge the likes of 67 and 150. To date, “No Hook” remains an iconic moment in the wider catalogue of Zone 2 (particularly impressive when you bear in mind the subsequent success they would go on to have with the likes of “No Censor”), and the music video on Linkup TV currently sits at nearly 2 million views. This track remains special today for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it was clear evidence not only of PS’s ability, but that the wider Zone 2 group was destined to make a dent in the UK Drill scene similar to the likes of 410, 67, and Harlem Spartans. Whilst PS Hitsquad shines as the unmistakable star of the group, Kwengface and Trizzac more than hold their own, portraying their own individual personalities as both rappers and individuals and illustrating clearly that Zone 2 was not just the group that PS was from. Secondly, it highlighted that Zone 2, (and particularly PS) had genuine song making ability and weren’t just destined to be freestyle or diss rappers. Frustratingly, “Zone 2 Step” was arguably the bigger song at the time, but due to it’s particularly charged lyrics and visuals the original music video has since been removed from the internet.
However, it was 2017 in which life really changed for PS, and indeed Zone 2. It’s worth firstly taking a moment to consider the musical climate that the Drill scene found itself back in 2017 and how this context adds to the achievement of what PS Hitsquad accomplished in that year. It goes without saying that 2017 was a completely different time for artists trying to make it big in the Drill scene in London. Compared to today, there was little to no infrastructure to support emerging talent, with artists largely left to fend for themselves when it came to promoting and marketing their music.
As a result, bubbling artists largely owed their name and reputation to cultivating an organic presence and notoriety throughout their local areas, and if they were good enough, this would hopefully spill into surrounding areas and perhaps the rest of London. PS Hitsquad not only managed to achieve this, but ensured that despite having little to no public presence at the start of the year, he would finish it on a comparable level to then already established pillars of the Drill scene such as AM, LD, and Loski.
So how did he do it? PS Hitsquad made his solo debut on the drill scene in March 2017 with the release of “The Truth”, a now cult classic amongst PS fans and general UK Drill purists. Whilst this wasn’t the first time PS had been recorded rapping, this was his first original solo, and felt like a statement moment of his fundamental ability, but also his potential to eventually take over the scene as an individual artist. Whilst “The Truth” is awash with direct and subtle references to the street politics he was embroiled in at the time, it wasn’t just a statement track for its shock factor. Perhaps even more noticeable was the ease with which PS would switch between different flows and pockets of the beat, riding it with an ease that is rare to see even in veterans of the game. In an interview with Viper Magazine in 2021, PS talked about how as a kid he always enjoyed messing around with words and utilising them to construct something of literary weight. As a result, it’s no surprise that on his breakout track this passion for creativity in both his lyrics and rhyming patterns was present.
Merely weeks later, “No Safety” was released; another PS solo which helped him continue his emerging chokehold on the UK Drill scene. To date, this track is seen as a legendary solo and is an unmistakable staple in the catalogue of PS Hitsquad.
This pattern continued for much of 2017, with PS Hitsquad taking turns to satisfy his evolving fanbase with both solos and collaborative efforts with Zone 2. The next standout moment would be the release of the No Hook mixtape, released in July 2017, which further sowed the seeds for a breakout year. Featuring the already released “Zone 2 Step” and title track “No Hook”, whilst adding more recent and soon to be cult favourites such as “Most Hated”, the No Hook tape firmly established 2017 as the year of Zone 2, and by de facto, the year of PS Hitsquad. This theme would only continue, with PS and Zone 2 refusing to let up on their momentum, ending the year with the release of Known Zoo, a much longer project resembling an album, with 17 tracks of pure Drill brilliance.
Throughout, PS unsurprisingly shines, going back and forth with other Zone 2 members such as Kwengface and Trizzac with ease, always leaving his remarkable skill undisputed by the end of his respective verses. Similar to “No Hook”, this project was filled to the brim with bangers; “Fishing” particularly has stood the test of time as an iconic track in Drill history. Everything seemed to be going so well, but as mentioned above, this success could inevitably only last so long with PS. Known Zoo would be the last music that fans of PS would receive for nearly a year, with his next release coming in late 2018, in the form of a feature on Tiny Boost’s project Street Dreams. Whilst this track likely came together by finding and utilising a previously recorded verse of PS’s (he was still in prison at the time of release), it was still a real milestone in the career of PS. In the same interview with Viper Magazine referred to earlier on, PS speaks specifically on how it felt to receive that call from a rapper and local figure he had grown up on in Peckham.
“The thing is it’s mad ‘cause being from Peckham and watching them man’s ting, for them to then shout man, it’s like “alright cool, say nothing.” You see when you support a favourite team or something? Imagine like Ronaldo said, “yeah, you’re sick at ball you know.” It was like that, it was alright still.”
This sentiment was shared by fellow collaborator on the song and Zone 2 member Kwengface. In an interview with Kwengface I conducted last year, he spoke of a very similar feeling at the release of the track, saying how “Tiny Boost is my guy. They definitely had an influence on me”. This adds weight to our understanding of what this coming together of two different generations of Peckham meant for both PS and Kwengface, helping convey the importance of recognition from established heavyweights in the industry and how it gave PS the confidence to keep believing in his ability.
It wouldn’t be until March 2019 that fans were finally treated to PS’s return as a solo artist – and what a platform he chose. Voice of the Streets has been a recognised institution in the UK rap game since it’s inception, housing freestyles from the best of the best, but it was particularly relevant in 2019. A cursory look at other freestyles dropped on the platform in the same general time shows as much; the likes of Skendgo & AM, and Youngs Teflon had blessed the show only weeks earlier, and as a result it felt like an even more momentous occasion when PS linked up with Kenny Allstar for his own rendition. This wider context of the success of the show, the yearning of PS’s fans for new music from him, and an obvious determination within PS himself to demonstrate he was still one of the King’s of Drill created the perfect storm for a legendary Voice of the Streets performance – and that’s exactly what we were given.
The excitement from PS is palpable; behind his balaclava you can see a wide grin, and as he exclaims “You know I’m back!” it’s pressed home even further how almost regardless of the music itself, this is already an iconic moment in drill history. However, PS has never been interested in holding back in fully showcasing why he stands head and shoulders above almost all of his competition in the drill scene when it comes to raw ability, and as a result lets loose as soon as the beat drops, arguably rapping with even more precision, clarity, and of course intelligence, than ever before. Lines such as “Don’t step on my phesos, two dot dots no ratio, out here still on the block like J- Lo, we got guns like NATO” were quoted incessantly in the comments section and had Kenny himself struggling to contain himself. This was the return of a cult hero, and PS was more than happy to play his part.
PS was well and truly back, and similar to 2017, he had no intentions of letting his momentum slow down. He maintained the fever surrounding his name by quickly releasing a follow up solo track entitled “I’m Back”, before following up with another freestyle with Kenny Allstar – this time on an even more famed platform, Mad About Bars. Receiving a Mad About Bars is a landmark in any Drill rappers career, and it’s almost unfathomable to discuss someone being at the top of the scene without having already completed what is almost a rite of passage on Mad About Bars. Everything was shaping up for the summer of 2019 to be PS’s, and he obliged – releasing further bangers in the form of features (such as “Times Three” with RV) alongside celebrated solo tracks such as “Cheeky Snaps”. Following the timeline of PS’s career, it’s perhaps expected that this run could only last so long without outside interference though, and that’s exactly what happened. Released in August 2019, this would be his last release of 2019 and he wouldn’t pop onto the music scene again until midway through 2020.
Since the start of 2021, PS has worked hard to maintain his consistency as an artist, demonstrating a clear desire to ensure his previous alternating between constant releases and time away was a thing of the past. This translated into a clear elevation in the artistic quality and direction of his music – no longer content with being known as just a drill rapper, PS sought to expand his musical horizons. A triumphant moment was his collaboration with Giggs on “Black”, further asserting his status as an individual Peckham legend. “Petrol Station” felt like another milestone in his catalogue; connecting with longtime collaborator and fellow Zone 2 member Kwengface, they absolutely destroy a new age drill Zimmz production. This is Zone 2, and Peckham Drill on the whole, at it’s illustrious best, and as a result it only makes sense that PS’s brilliance is right at the heart of it. 2021 wasn’t a standout year for PS just in terms of the release of his own original fully fledged songs though – arguably as big a milestone as the success of his collaborations with Giggs and Kwengface was his appearance on Fire in the Booth. Receiving his own edition of a FITB freestyle spoke clearly again of the backing that PS has had throughout his career from industry pillars, highlighting just how highly his skill and delivery is regarded. Unsurprisingly, PS did what he does best, providing an exhilarating 7 minutes of pure bars and flows. At this point, the level at which PS was performing at was indisputable already, but performances on such platforms only padded his legacy further.
2022 would see a further continuation on this theme of sonical progression for PS. Intent on highlighting his ability to rap on a multitude of beats, and cover a multitude of topics, tracks such as “Freedom” and “Streetlife” paint a holistic, raw reflection on street life generally, but also specifically on the realities that PS faces day to day as he seeks to create something new for his life whilst feeling the restraints of his past clutch onto him. However, PS has remained focused on ensuring that his fiercely cultivated loyal street following remains and don’t become alienated by his slight pivots in musical direction; his continuous presence on freestyle platforms, namely in the form of The Cold Room and The General’s Corner has ensured that there are no misconceptions about his already established place at the top of the classic UK drill scene.
Fast forward to June 2023 and PS has just released his debut solo mixtape, Community Service, last Friday. For a rapper so famed throughout the drill scene, it was unusual that it would take so long to release this project, but as already discussed, PS’s trajectory has not been simple. It seems that taking his time to fully formulate the vision and content of the project only helped though; the tape is an absolute drill classic, cementing PS’s status as one of the best drill rappers of all time by helping him move towards having the discography to prove it. Tracks such as “Rah”, “Another Opp Boy (XO Tour Life)”, and the aforementioned “Freedom” particularly stand out as PS at his best.
Features wise, PS’s choices are varied and appear calculated, tapping a range of rappers from the likes of fellow early drill icon AM, to rap legend Tiny Boost, whilst also finding time to tap up upcoming star Cristale. There’s something for every sort of Drill fan, ensuring that multiple tracks on the tape have the potential to find themselves on the rotation of playlists all across the country. It’s an important step for PS in his journey to be recognised as an out and out artist, and hopefully only promises even greater things for the future. If you missed our deep dive into the tape, be sure to check that out right here.
What’s next for PS? Only time will tell if he can finally take complete control of his destiny and remain fully committed to music; but there are two things that are undoubtable; firstly, that he really does want to elevate his musical career, and secondly, that he has always had the potential and ability to do so.