Drip Rick, a growing voice from Sheffield’s gritty Upperthorpe neighborhood, has just unleashed his latest track “NBA (Killy Dem)” on July 19th. This three-minute banger showcases the rapper’s growing versatility and hints at an exciting new direction in his sound.
Born and bred in South Yorkshire, Drip Rick has been turning heads in the UK rap scene. He’s already rubbed shoulders with some big names, collaborating with the likes of Kannan, WSTRN’s Akelle, Geko, and even Love Island heartthrob Tyrique Hyde. His “Gang Shxt Remix” featuring this star-studded lineup blew up online, racking up a cool 100,000 views in just 24 hours and climbing to the 13th spot on YouTube’s trending list.
The official music video for “NBA (Killy Dem)” are causing quite a stir, with the YouTube views counter hitting a whopping 140,000 in mere weeks. Drip Rick’s savvy move of dropping the video first and teasing snippets on TikTok and Instagram has clearly paid off, whipping fans into a frenzy.
Drip Rick’s journey into music is a classic tale of youthful inspiration and unexpected turns. As a primary school kid, he looked up to his older brother and cousin, who were making noise in Sheffield with their grime group Regimentz. This early exposure sparked his love for music, but his path to becoming an artist wasn’t straightforward.
Years later, while in college, Drip Rick would hang out at his cousin’s apartment studio, laying down tracks just for fun. “I never planned on releasing music,” he admits. His cousin, recognizing his talent, would often encourage him to put his music out there, but Drip Rick wasn’t convinced.
Then came the day that changed everything. “On my way home from his place, my phone started going off with Facebook notifications,” Drip Rick recalls. His cousin had leaked one of their tracks, and the response was overwhelming. “Everyone was loving it,” he says with a laugh. “From that day, I never looked back.”
The young artist’s musical tastes are a melting pot of influences, ranging from dancehall kings Vybz Kartel and Mavado to hip-hop heavyweight Drake, and Jamaica’s finest like Popcaan, Alkaline, and Masicka. “I feel like I can relate to their stories,” Drip Rick explains, adding that he’s drawn to music with substance that still gets the party started.
Drip Rick’s talent hasn’t gone unnoticed in the industry. He’s caught the eye of Notion Magazine and GRM Daily, and even landed a spot in BoohooMAN and Amicci campaigns. Radio heavyweights like DJ Target, Snoochie Shy, Ellie Prohan, and Kenny Allstar have also given him airtime and interview slots.
As for what’s next, Drip Rick is cooking up his debut EP, intriguingly titled “I AM DRIP RICK.” Fans can expect six tracks of pure fire, with a guest spot or two thrown in for good measure.
While Drip Rick continues to make waves in the UK rap scene, fans can keep up with his journey and latest drops on Spotify, Instagram, and TikTok. One thing’s for sure – this Sheffield lad is one to watch.
