Words: Patch
“Would they remember me, Dave?” asks Kano on Dave’s track Chapter 16, an intergenerational conversation about legacy between one of grime’s crossover pioneers and UK rap’s beacon of hope. “Well, I guess we don’t know. That’s why we wake up, go get it by ourselves. And I’d love to tell you yes, but, bro, I question that myself.” Taken from Dave’s new album The Boy Who Played the Harp, the track reflects the DIY mentality many UK rappers adopt, often out of necessity, because of the lack of support and equity they face.
The 2023 Musicians’ Census, conducted by the charity Help Musicians and the Musicians’ Union, revealed that one-in-three musicians working in UK rap report low mental wellbeing, and research by Black Lives in Music also reported that 35% of Black musicians work in genres of Black origin such as rap/hip-hop, and 63% report experiencing direct or indirect racism, with almost a third (29%) reporting discrimination as a significant barrier to entry.
Tiffany Calver, a prolific DJ and radio presenter, has long championed UK rap – spotlighting emerging artists on mainstream platforms and helping facilitate major label breakthroughs. Her commitment comes from a deep understanding of both the scene’s talent and the unique challenges artists face when trying to build sustainable careers.
It’s this insight that led Tiffany to partner with Help Musicians to launch the UK Rap Award, a 12-month career accelerator providing financial support, business advice, mentoring and essential industry networks. To mark the launch, Tiffany spoke to GRM Daily about the partnership, the barriers she hopes to help rappers overcome, and why the genre deserves greater support.
What made you want to partner with Help Musicians for the launch of the UK Rap Award?
“Honestly, this partnership made sense to me immediately. Help Musicians has a long history of backing artists when nobody else will, and UK rap is a scene that’s had to build itself without the privilege of institutional support. So, when they approached me about a programme specifically designed to elevate emerging rappers with real funding, real access, real mentorship…it felt like the easiest yes.
I wanted to use my platform to help build something that genuinely shifts the infrastructure for the next generation and this partnership is just the beginning of doing that.”
You’ve been one of the leading voices in UK rap for years – how would you describe the current landscape for emerging rappers right now?
“There’s so much talent, and the creativity is incredible. UK rap is one of the most innovative spaces in British music and always has been. But at the same time, the pathways aren’t always clear. A lot of artists are making career-defining moves with very little support behind the scenes. It’s inspiring to see when it works, but also tough when it doesn’t. Emerging rappers often work twice as hard for half the access.”
What do you think are the biggest obstacles facing new rap artists trying to break through?
“Gatekeeping. Lack of networks. Limited visibility in the spaces that hold power. There’s also the financial pressure. Studio time, visuals, marketing. None of that is cheap. And a lot of artists coming up in rap don’t have the same institutional routes or early-career support that other genres benefit from. 99% of UK rap stories begin from underprivileged areas with limited resources so artists are already starting the race a few steps behind, trying to build their dreams without the networks, funding or early industry access. The talent is there, but the infrastructure isn’t.”
Why do you think rap, despite being one of the most streamed genres in the UK, still struggles for recognition and institutional support?
“I agree. Rap is one of the most streamed genres in the UK, but that success doesn’t automatically translate into institutional support. I think a big part of that comes down to who the genre represents and the spaces it was born from. The genre is a voice for Black British communities and working-class communities, and historically those voices haven’t been prioritised by mainstream institutions. The culture is celebrated when it’s convenient. When the numbers look good, when there’s a viral moment…but when it comes to long-term investment, career pathways, or giving artists the same opportunities offered to other genres, the support suddenly fades. I have not seen much effort being poured into the development of UK rappers in my time.
“The people in the rooms making decisions around funding, programming, or industry strategy don’t always understand rap, and sometimes don’t want to. That disconnect means incredible talent is being overlooked simply because it doesn’t fit the traditional mould of what British music institutions are used to championing. At the same time, rap moves fast, independently, and authentically, and institutions often struggle to keep up.
“The scene built its own ecosystem out of necessity, so there’s this assumption that it doesn’t need the same infrastructure. But it does. Artists deserve stable routes into the industry, not just platforms when they’ve already “made it.”
So, even though rap drives streaming numbers, shapes culture, and defines youth identity across the country, the genre is still fighting for the basic recognition and investment that should come with that influence. And that’s exactly why initiatives like the UK Rap Award matter. They bridge the gap between cultural impact and actual, structural support.
Help Musicians’ research through the Musicians’ Census shows that one-in-three UK rap artists report low mental wellbeing – how surprised were you by these findings?
“Sadly, not very. When you’re constantly fighting for your place, dealing with discrimination, or just instability, it takes a toll. Many artists are carrying the emotional weight of both their art and their environment. The numbers just confirm what a lot of us already knew.”
From your experience in the industry, where do you see the biggest systemic barriers for Black and underrepresented artists?
“From what I’ve seen the biggest barriers show up right at the foundation. Black and underrepresented artists often don’t have early access to the networks, mentors, or industry spaces that open doors for everyone else. There’s also a layer of unconscious bias (sometimes very conscious) that shapes who gets funded, who gets playlisted, who gets booked for opportunities that actually move a career forward. And when you’re constantly navigating that, the mental toll is real. So, it’s not a lack of talent; it’s the lack of an equal playing field, and that’s something the industry has to take responsibility for changing.”
What makes the UK Rap Award different from other funding or development programmes out there?
“It’s holistic. Most programmes give you one piece of the puzzle. Money, or networking, or mentoring. This one gives you all three. It’s tailored specifically to rap, and it was built by listening to what rap artists say they actually need. That’s very rare.”
What support is included in the UK Rap Award?
“Artists get one-to-one business guidance, online meetups, an in-person mixer with labels and tastemakers, a dedicated mentor, and up to £3,000 to push a project forward. Whether that’s recording, visuals, marketing, or development time. It’s a fantastic opportunity to gain the full ecosystem.”
Why is it important that the award offers both financial support and industry access?
“Because money alone won’t build a sustainable career, and access without resources won’t move you forward. Artists need both to create long-term stability. Especially in rap, where traditional support systems haven’t always existed.”
How do you hope this programme will shift the industry long-term?
“I hope it normalises investing in rap talent early, intentionally, and respectfully. I want to see more infrastructure, more mentorship, more equitable routes into the industry. If this award shows that supporting rap artists yields results, hopefully more institutions follow.”
Where do you see the UK rap scene going over the next few years – and how will initiatives like this shape that future?
“UK rap is already global – now it just needs the structures to match its influence. With initiatives like this, we’ll hopefully see more diverse voices breaking through, more artists building sustainable careers, and influencing more access and support for future generations to come.”
If you could give one piece of advice to an emerging rapper reading this right now, what would it be?
I”f I could give one piece of advice, it would be this. Protect the core of who you are. Understand your “why”. Your voice, your story, your perspective. That is what makes you stand out. Don’t let trends, pressure, or comparison water that down. The artists who really break through are the ones who double down on authenticity, even when it feels risky. And don’t be afraid to ask for support. Build your circle, lean on mentors, collaborate with people who inspire you. Look down and around as much as you look up. Build your own ecosystem and community with other emerging artists, DJs, radio presenters. You don’t have to navigate this industry alone and you’ll go further when you allow yourself to grow with a community behind you.”