Drill began as a hyper-local documentary form on the South Side of Chicago and is now one of the most widely exported sounds in hip-hop. Over the past decade it has taken root in London, Milan, Paris, Dublin, Western Sydney and beyond, adopting new languages, rhythms and references along the way. This selection brings together eleven artists from across that map, from established pioneers to newer voices, each of whom shows a different side of the genre.
From Chicago to a Global Language
Drill emerged in Chicago in the early 2010s through artists such as Chief Keef, Lil Durk, Lil Reese and Fredo Santana. Its cold, minimal production, ominous melodies and unvarnished lyrics set it apart from the gangsta rap tradition that preceded it.
The sound travelled first to the United Kingdom, where producers reworked it with sliding 808 basslines, faster hi-hat patterns and a distinct cadence, creating UK drill. That version, in turn, became the template for scenes in New York, continental Europe, Australia and elsewhere. Wherever it lands, drill keeps its core features of heavy low end, direct storytelling and a close tie to local experience, while taking on the accent and context of its surroundings.
Eleven Artists to Know
Chy Cartier — United Kingdom
Chy Cartier is an independent rapper from North London who broke through in late 2023 with “BOSSED UP” and has since been co-signed by Central Cee, Skepta and Novelist. Her darker, bass-heavy sound draws on late-1990s and early-2000s influences and sits at the edge of drill and UK rap, which makes her a useful marker of how far the genre now reaches beyond its traditional boundaries.
163Margs — United Kingdom
163Margs is a London drill and rap artist whose “Talk Of The Town (Freestyle)” passed 16 million streams and whose debut single “Hide And Seek” (2023) featured Digga D. His 2026 single “Clock It” points toward a more groove-led, summer-ready sound while keeping his street edge, a reminder that UK drill continues to evolve rather than repeat itself.
Rondodasosa — Italy
Rondodasosa comes from the San Siro district of Milan and is signed to Warner Music Italy. His 2020 remix “Face to Face”, built on King Von and Memo600’s “Exposing Me”, brought him wide attention, and his first album, Trenches Baby (2022), debuted at number one in Italy. He is among the clearest examples of drill moving from the underground into the Italian mainstream.
ASHE 22 — France
ASHE 22 is a French rapper working in drill and trap, with a dark, 808-driven sound that blends UK drill influence with French-language writing. His collaborations with Italian and French artists, including Baby Gang and Rondodasosa, reflect the increasingly cross-border character of European drill.
FYRE — Bulgaria
FYRE is a Bulgarian rapper who has released music since 2017, with the albums CAESAR (2021), Откровение II (2022) and Откровение III: Новорождение (2024). Rapping in Bulgarian, he brings drill production into a local-language context, as in “DJIGIT DRILL”, and illustrates how the genre is taking root in Southeastern Europe.
102 BOYZ — Germany
102 BOYZ are a German rap collective with a high-energy, DIY-driven approach that blends trap and cloud-rap influences with the intensity associated with drill. They are included here as an example of how drill aesthetics are merging with the local German rap tradition rather than following a single template.
A92 — Ireland
A92 are an Irish drill collective from Drogheda, named after the town’s postal code and signed to Moves Recordings. Their “Plugged in Freestyle”, produced by Fumez the Engineer, grew through TikTok, reached the Irish and UK charts and was certified Gold by the BPI. Their debut mixtape 92 Degrees followed in December 2020, helping to establish an Irish voice within the genre.
ONEFOUR — Australia
ONEFOUR are widely regarded as pioneers of Australian drill. The group from Mount Druitt in Western Sydney combines UK drill production with Australian accents and local references. Their debut album Look at Me Now (2025) peaked at number two in Australia, and they have won APRA Awards for their songwriting.
Kenzo Str8Drop — United Kingdom
Kenzo Str8Drop is a Manchester rapper whose gritty, street-informed releases, including the debut project Bricks & Sticks (2023), have built a following outside the London-centred narrative of UK drill. His work is a reminder that the British scene extends well beyond the capital.
ScarLip — United States
ScarLip is a rapper from the Bronx whose music combines elements of drill, trap and hardcore East Coast rap. Known for an aggressive delivery that balances intensity with vulnerability, she is part of a growing group of women reshaping a style long dominated by male voices.
Neznaen — Balkan drill
Neznaen’s “Kaval Sviri”, released as a “Balkan drill” track, reworks the well-known Bulgarian folk melody of the same name over a drill beat. It is a compact illustration of the genre’s adaptability: the same rhythmic framework can carry regional folk material as readily as it carries street narratives.
Where Drill Is Heading
Several developments are shaping the genre’s next phase:
- Cross-border collaboration. Artists in different countries increasingly share features, producers and audiences.
- Local language and sound. From Bulgarian to Italian to Irish English, regional identity is becoming a defining feature rather than an afterthought.
- Stylistic range. Melodic and groove-led approaches, as in 163Margs’s recent work, are widening the genre’s palette.
- More women and new cities. Artists such as Chy Cartier and ScarLip, and scenes outside traditional strongholds, are broadening who drill speaks for.
The most interesting drill is no longer defined by its origin point but by what each scene adds to it. For listeners looking beyond the charts, these eleven artists offer a map of that conversation. To explore more, visit our Discover page, or nominate an artist we should feature.
Sources
- Chy Cartier — END.
- 163Margs — ASBO Magazine, Dance Wax
- Rondodasosa — Wikipedia
- ASHE 22 — Viberate
- FYRE — Apple Music
- A92 — Wikipedia
- ONEFOUR — Wikipedia
- Kenzo Str8Drop — Mixtape Madness, ASBO Magazine
102 BOYZ, ScarLip and Neznaen are described from their own official releases only. Full source lists are on each artist’s linked profile.
