Fugative

Born Harry James Byant in Essex in 1994, Fugative grew up with a mother who had previously managed Marvin Gaye. Though early comparisons cast the MC, songwriter, and producer as a British Justin Bieber solely on account of his age, his fusion of hip-hop rhythms and pop hooks aligned far more closely with Dizzee Rascal than with the Canadian star. He penned his debut song inside Brick Lane Studios at eight, soon afterward testing himself against rappers twice his age and laying down tracks from his bedroom. A demo reached Bad Boy Records founder Kirk Burrowes, who arranged studio time for the teenager with veteran American producers 88-Keys and Younglord. Once “Jimmy Shoe” ignited online, Fugative joined Ministry of Sound Records and, after completing a 200-date under-18s tour, issued his major-label debut single “Supafly” in 2009. The following year “Crush” climbed to number 26 and “Bad Girl” reached number 59. Support dates alongside Basshunter and Wiley on their British runs preceded the mixtape The Departure, while his first studio album, No Goin’ Home, was slated for early 2011.