Deno

South London singer/rapper Deno brings a melodic, swaggering energy to the typically hardened drill scene. Born Deno Michael Mebrahitu in 2002 in Brixton, the artist got his start by uploading covers of viral songs while still in school; his reimagining of MC Geko’s flirtatious single “Over & Under” took off in 2016. Shortly after, Deno’s reinterpretations caught the ear of sought-after grime rapper Stormzy, who brought him to the attention of others in the scene. After properly entering the game, Deno collaborated frequently with others, including popular production duo Da Beatfreakz on the Afrobeat-adjacent posse cut “Pumpy”. In 2019, Deno released his mainstream debut, Eye 2 Eye, a youthful take on the drill that inspired him, as evidenced by the braggadocious, hyper-regional “Heathrow”. Deno would go on to release his follow-up, Boy Meets World, in 2021, which saw him delve further into his sprightly approach on tracks like the confident, undulating “Drizzy”.