Stationed at the UK’s centre, Birmingham is alive with a special blend of culture and communities. The New Birmingham reflects both the current vanguard (Mowgs, Stardom, MIST) and the still-prominent pioneers (Remtrex, Young Smokes) who have platformed West Midlands rap for years. From M1llionz’s intricate drill flows to Wesley Joseph’s expansive, soulful rhyme, the whole range is here, and an immense sense of local pride can be felt throughout these tracks. The teachings of late Handsworth poet Benjamin Zephaniah show up, front-lined for a new generation by self-styled “Mayor of Brum” Kofi Stone (on the heartfelt “May Sound Crazy”), while newcomer Marnz Malone narrates his unique story from behind bars on “Ball 4 U”, sampling Jorja Smith’s debut single “Blue Lights”. Grime time is provided by Safone, whose prolific slate of releases and top-notch chemistry with Brum beatmakers Preditah and Swifta Beater helped establish Birmingham as grime’s second city in the 2010s. Our editors regularly update this playlist—if you hear something you like, add it to your library.