July 8, 2025 |
With a dire economy and a news agenda where hatred tended to be the only thing trending, last year was draining for so many Brits. Thankfully, the UK music scene remains capable of providing escapism, so we’ve compiled a list of our favourite rising musicians for 2025 who all have the future in the palms of their hands and might just end up soundtracking the year ahead. From raw raps that elevate single mums to stadium-sized soul ballads about healing broken hearts, each of these promising artists is someone well worth getting familiar with.
Led by multi-instrumentalist jazz musician Bradley Miller, aka Cktrl, the Navy collective is seeking to be the UK’s next boundary-pushing musical crew. Its other members – including Novelist, Prem, Kabuto, Tony Bontana and A.I.M. – combine creative disciplines like rap, jazz, DJing, beat-making, R&B and high fashion, with this fast-rising group coming across like a South-East London equivalent of A$AP Mob.
from left: Prem, Cktrl, Raj, Finesser, A.I.M. and Kabuto wear tracksuits by PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE
“Navy isn’t new, in fact most of us have known each other over the decades,” says Cktrl of this crew’s origins. “It’s been built through long-standing friendships, with the majority of the group growing up in the blue borough of Lewisham. All of the Navy members are very diligent and driven in their own musical lanes. We’ve got the most serious producers, rappers and DJs, while everyone is an artist in their own right. We’re just us. It’s really a conglomerate of the UK industry’s tomorrow.”
For Cktrl, playing instruments like the clarinet and saxophone at a young age taught him how to communicate with his heart whenever words fell short. And whatever Navy’s future might look like (and you can bet on this involving a group album and tours), Cktrl says it will involve creating without limitations and striving to make SE13 be seen as the Mecca of artistic cool. “We’re always true to our sound. We keep the fire burning from our corner and ensure the essence is felt,” he concludes. “Everything from Navy tours, rocking our own clothes, performing and creating in whichever spaces we want to take up, our success is built on having complete freedom.”
Taken from 10 Men Issue 61 – MUSIC, TALENT, CREATIVE – on newsstands now. Order your copy here.
THE NEW NOISE
Creative Editor PAUL TONER
Text THOMAS HOBBS
Portrait ANNA STOKLAND
Fashion assistant GEORGIA EDWARDS
Production ZAC APOSTOLOU and SONYA MAZURYK
