J Hus

J Hus, born Momodou Jallow and raised in Stratford by his single mother, emerged as a leading figure in British rap while helping define Afroswing through its fusion of dancehall, grime, Auto-Tune-infused R&B, and Afro-beats. After gaining initial traction in 2015 via freestyles and tracks such as the widely streamed “Lean & Bop,” he achieved wider recognition with his first studio album, Common Sense, which entered the U.K. Top Ten in 2017, drew widespread critical praise, and secured a Mercury Prize nomination along with further honors. His second album, Big Conspiracy, arrived in 2020 and reached the top of the U.K. chart, propelled in part by the Top Five single “Must Be.” Previewed by the 2023 releases “It’s Crazy” and the Drake-assisted “Who Told You,” his third album Beautiful and Brutal Yard followed later that year.

Drawn to rap by 50 Cent, Jallow turned professional after two friends established 2K Management. In 2015 the team recorded several demos for online release, cut the single “So Paranoid” with London rapper MoStack, and posted videos that included “Dem Boy Paigon,” which rapidly accumulated more than a million views as a street favorite. He then issued the mixtape The 15th Day and the non-album track “Lean & Bop,” his first output on Sony imprint Black Butter Records, which tallied several million streams. Early 2016 brought the single “Friendly,” followed by the three-song Playing Sports EP.

Throughout 2017 the rising artist appeared on Nines’ “High Roller,” Dave’s “Samantha,” and Stormzy’s “Bad Boys” from the chart-topping Gang Signs & Prayer. Common Sense, released in May, included contributions from MoStack, Burna Boy, Tiggs Da Author, and MIST; the project earned a Mercury Prize nomination that year, won Best Album at the 2018 NME Awards, and brought three Brit Award nominations. J Hus issued the EP Big Spang in 2018, yet later that year received an eight-month prison sentence after being arrested for carrying a six-inch knife in public. On the day of his April 2019 release he made an unannounced stage appearance at a Drake concert. He promptly resumed recording and began rolling out singles ahead of his next project. Big Conspiracy, issued in early 2020, featured Burna Boy, Koffee, and newcomer iceè tgm; it topped the U.K. album chart and earned strong critical notice. Apart from a guest spot on Burna Boy’s 2022 album Love, Damini, J Hus remained largely out of the spotlight until unveiling “It’s Crazy,” which peaked at number 15 on the U.K. pop chart. He then teamed with Drake on “Who Told You,” heightening anticipation for Beautiful and Brutal Yard, which also lists Popcaan, Jorja Smith, and Villz among its guests.