From Talia Goddess to Lengurz, meet the up-and-coming talents making noise across the capital
Photography Ilyes Griyeb, styling Mirko Pedone AshDen
“I would love to score a Jim Jarmusch film and feature in it. He’s one of my favourite directors so it would mean a lot to me. As a trained actor, it’d be killing two birds with one stone”
East London-born and bred, Ashden is a producer and rapper who made his start in a hip-hop collective. Now solo, Ashden has been making music traversing everything from hip hop to Detroit house, grime and industrial.
AshDen wears all clothes PRADA, kufi and necklace his own
Photography Ilyes Griyeb, styling Mirko Pedone Lengurz
“How can we be a more inclusive creative industry? We gotta stop letting weirdos in”
Hailing from east London, Lengurz is a director turning his lens on parts of the city he claims “may cease to exist” in the future. With his portfolio including work with acclaimed artists such as Pink Pantheress and clothing brand/creative studio Peake TV, Lengurz continues to creatively attack the redevelopment of London spaces, one video at a time.
Lengurz wears polyester jacket and trousers DIESEL, shirt and tie stylist’s own, jewellery his own, leather shoes CAMPERLAB
Photography Ilyes Griyeb, styling Mirko Pedone JayO
“Having people around you who share the same vision and excel is a good way to keep you on your toes and become a better creative. There is no innovation without failure”
With music grounded in genres from grime to hip hop, R&B and Afrobeats, JayO isn’t shy of striving for polymath status. Though relatively new to the music scene, the Tottenham-born MC is making sure, via singles like “Back” and a remix of Adekunle Gold’s “Party No Dey Stop”, that he has no plans to leave.
Jay wears leather top and boots LOUIS VUITTON, shirt and tie stylist’s own, cotton trousers PALACE, earring his own, silver necklace SLIM BARRETT
Photography Ilyes Griyeb, styling Mirko Pedone Talia Goddess
“Sometimes a lack of inspiration is inspiration within itself, if that makes sense. It’s an opportunity to call into focus the mundane things that we might take for granted”
Multi-hyphenate artist Talia Goddess is curating a discography synonymous with her desire to bring an unrelenting self-confidence to the music industry. With lyrics such as “there isn’t a person that could ever beat me” and “I am number one and I don’t even need a medal”, the Brooklyn-born rapper, producer and model continues to bring her fortitude to her adopted music scene.
Talia wears nylon bomber jacket TALIA BYRE, silk and technical mesh dress, leather and metal choker and leather boots ANDREAS KRONTHALER FOR VIVIENNE WESTWOOD, nylon tights FALKE, silver necklace SLIM BARRETT, rings her own
Photography Ilyes Griyeb, styling Mirko Pedone Artemas
“Lyrically, I enjoy writing about the worst or most embarrassing parts of myself. I found my stride in that regard when I stopped trying to paint a perfect picture of myself”
Reviving the 90s indie pop music scene with tracks like “Sunny” and “if u think I’m pretty”, Artemas is keen to expand his pop horizons, delving into sounds and beats that echo bands such as Nirvana and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Artemas wears silk trench, shirt and leather loafers BURBERRY, nylon and cotton cardigan PALACE, tank top and leather belt PICKNWEIGHT, denim shorts OUR LEGACY, cotton socks LONDON SOCK COMPANY, recycled silver necklace LOUIS ABEL
Photography Ilyes Griyeb, styling Mirko Pedone Dexter
“The best thing to do when I’m feeling uninspired is to push through it by trying out any ideas I have. [It’s good] to have some sort of creative discipline”
A rising star in the pop scene, Dexter is an up and coming musician who delivers dreamy bedroom pop beats with catchy lyrics. At present, with recent releases such as ‘More to me’ she immortalises the essence of the bedroom pop sound while penning lyrics that capture universal experiences and emotions. With phrases like "we're not the same, maybe things changed" and "I want the summer and blue skies", Dexter's music speaks to the heart of the youth, offering relatable narratives and melodies that enchant and inspire.
Dexter wears all clothes PALACE, suede sneakers MIU MIU × NEW BALANCE.
Photography Ilyes Griyeb, styling Mirko Pedone Debbie
“I love that my music holds so much truth and depth – but I forget that when I spill my heart out in a session I also give access to listeners around the world”
Not many in the music industry can lay claim to a distinctive, soulful sound at the tender age of 24, but Debbie can. Her soulful and sultry tone caught the attention of none other than Stormzy, who asked her to guest on his album, This Is What I Mean, in 2022. Having opened for the likes of Raye and John Legend, Debbie continues to stay true to her authentic and dynamic image.
Debbie wears cotton-metal scrunched jacket and trousers Y/PROJECT, rhodium-plated brass and crystal earring PANCONESI, silver bracelet SLIM BARRETT
Photography Ilyes Griyeb, styling Mirko Pedone Holly Humberstone
“I think that being a woman in music comes with its own issues and challenges, but my music allows me to have a loud voice. I can speak candidly and say anything through my work and people are there to listen”
After winning the Brit award for rising star in 2022, Holly Humberstone has only continued on her journey to universal acclaim. Since then, she has released two albums and a duet with Sam Fender, with her biggest European tour to date wrapping in March. All things considered, it’s safe to say Holly has successfully ascended from ‘rising’ to ‘risen’.
Holly wears leather jacket ACNE STUDIOS, leather bra COACH, leather trousers and belt MARTINE ROSE, all jewellery PANCONESI, necktie stylist's own
Photography Ilyes Griyeb, styling Mirko Pedone BXKS
“I was working in a retail job when I first decided to take music seriously and a colleague said, ‘How can you be a rapper with less than 1,000 followers?’ It didn’t faze me but it made me realise it’s hard for people to comprehend things until you show them it’s possible”
After catching Skepta’s attention in 2018 with her “Next Up?” freestyle, BXKS has continued to make waves in the UK rap scene. From collabs with wordsmiths like Bawo to recent releases such as “Back It Up”, a slick tune with heavy house influences, BXKS is one to watch.
BXKS wears upcycled Lycra t-shirt ALYSSA MARIE GROENEVELD, cotton cap ’47 BRAND, metal necklace CONTEMPORARY WARDROBE, earring and ring her own
Photography Ilyes Griyeb, styling Mirko Pedone Chy Cartier
“Kendrick Lamar’s music has inspired me to think more deeply about the world around me and to challenge my storytelling skills when it comes to my own beliefs and rapping from a different perspective”
Fresh on the scene with one of 2023’s viral hits in “Bossed Up”, north London’s newest star Chy Cartier is solidifying her one-to-watch status with new single “Like Magic”.
Chy wears leather bomber jacket LOUIS VUITTON, cotton jacket worn underneath and trousers PALACE, jewellery her own, leather boots MARSÈLL