23 Unofficial

Hackney, East London rapper 23 Unofficial incorporates elements of rap, R&B, and Afro bashment to create infectious yet relatable tunes. He broke through in 2017 after releasing a string of singles, most notably "Ain't Bothered," which featured a laid-back flow and racked up millions of streams online. The single featured on his debut full-length, The Unofficial Album, in 2018. Growing up, 23 Unofficial hadn't paid much thought to a career in music, although he would regularly go to the studio with his friends, including Not3s. During one of those studio sessions, Not3s asked Unofficial to contribute to a verse, and after seeing his natural aptitude, Not3s persuaded him to pursue something for himself. The owner of the studio, N.A., also witnessed his talent, and offered to manage and produce for him. The fruits of his early studio work arrived in 2017, including the release of the singles "Naughty" featuring Not3s, "Torn," "Ain't Bothered," and "Can't Tell Me." The following year, 23 Unofficial signed to Island Records and delivered his debut album, which featured guest spots from PNVSN, Tayá, and M Huncho. ~ Liam Martin