A visionary presence in the 2010s and 2020s U.K. rap scene, Croydon-based pioneer SL set himself aside from his contemporaries with his signature nonchalant delivery and left-field approach to London’s typical rap styles. At the age of 15, he dropped his debut single “Gentleman,” which remained the most-viewed U.K. drill song from its 2017 release until late 2021. Few musicians find global success with their debut single, and even fewer set genre-wide records. Yet both proved true for Peckham-born, Croydon-raised SL, whose single, “Gentleman,” was a laid-back take on typically clattering U.K. drill and highlighted the rapper’s unique approach to the genre, matching its easygoing vocal style with lethargic production and a singular lyrical approach. After rocketing to 15 million views in less than a year, “Gentleman” had the most video views of any U.K. drill track until late 2021. After demonstrating his prowess in more traditional styles with “Them Boyz,” SL found a near-immediate second hit in “Tropical.” Adopting a self-described “tropical drill” approach, the track delved even further into his intoxicatingly mellow production, racking up tens of millions of views and landing a number 73 spot on the U.K. charts. In 2018, the rapper fleshed out his low-key sound with "Nothing to Say" and "Summertime Santa," as well as hooking up with grime legend Chip for the boastful "Genes." A consolidation of his early sounds comprised the 2019 EP Everything Good Is Bad, which was also home to the starry "FWA Boss" as well as variations on the musician's laid-back sound. The rest of the year let SL build his profile with a variety of collaborations: he was featured alongside an all-star drill roster for the Krept & Konan's "I Spy" remix, and appeared on the freestyle show Mad About Bars and the soundtrack to the much-anticipated Top Boy. In 2020, the MC began piecing together a more substantial catalog: the first of the year’s releases was the Selhurst SE25 EP, which saw the rapper embrace the 808-driven trap of Kenny Beats, alongside the screeching Pa Salieu collab "Hit the Block." His debut mixtape, Different Dude, followed that October and was a continuation of his experimental tendencies; the project featured rise-and-fall trap and skittering drill, with features from Unknown T, Nafe Smallz, and Ayo Britain. SL kicked off 2021 with the back-to-back flows of M1llionz collab “Versus.” ~ David Crone

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SL

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