the closest UK rap ever came to competing with the US was late 80's early 90's. Acts like Derek B, Cookie Crew, Blade, London Posse, Ruthless Rap Assassins, Gunshot, Duke, Daddy Freddy, Overlord X, Demon Boyz, Hijack, Outlaw Posse, Silver Bullet, Hardnoise, Boulevard Mosse, Rebel MC, Caveman, and many more were all rapping over hardcore breakbeats and most of that era of music still stands up today. Unfortunatelty as sample clearing became more expensive, many producers turned to hardcore and eventually drum and bass.
Mid 90's onwards we had Roots Manuva, Skinnyman, Blak Twang, Phi Life Cypher, Funky DL, Lewis Parker, Braintax, Taskforce, Ty, Credit To The Nation, Cappo, Scorzayzee, P Bros and so on. Most of the acts mentioned could stand along with their US brethren, and all the big dogs of the US were supported by UK acts. But we got lost, we didn't evolve, most of UK 'rap' can't even be considered hip hop by definition any more
Mid 90's onwards we had Roots Manuva, Skinnyman, Blak Twang, Phi Life Cypher, Funky DL, Lewis Parker, Braintax, Taskforce, Ty, Credit To The Nation, Cappo, Scorzayzee, P Bros and so on. Most of the acts mentioned could stand along with their US brethren, and all the big dogs of the US were supported by UK acts. But we got lost, we didn't evolve, most of UK 'rap' can't even be considered hip hop by definition any more
