THE FORGOTTEN AND THE UNSEEN

In music, certain voices rise to the top, celebrated and recognised globally. But what about those artists who are overlooked, underrepresented, or dismissed entirely?

In genres like hip hop, grime, jazz, or experimental music, many artists speak for the forgotten and the unseen, sharing stories of marginalised communities, trauma, and resilience. Yet, despite their undeniable talent and powerful messages, they often remain in the shadows.

For these artists, breaking through can feel like an uphill battle, compounded by societal prejudice, media bias, and a music industry that tends to favour commercially viable, mainstream sounds. But it’s these very struggles that underscore the importance of the stories they tell.

“If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.” — Henry David Thoreau

For those creating outside the mainstream, that different drumbeat is where their power lies.

Challenging Perceptions

Artists in genres like hip hop and grime often face undue criticism. Instead of being seen as powerful forms of self-expression, their music is frequently demonised, associated with violence or negativity.

Yet, as Bob Dylan aptly put it:

“Don’t criticise what you can’t understand.”

Rather than asking how these genres negatively impact society, we should be asking:
How does society’s inequality give rise to these sounds?

In a previous article, I explored this:

“The question is not how music is impacting our youth, but how life is impacting our music.”

This is especially true for genres born in marginalised communities. Hip hop, for example, emerged as a direct response to systemic racism, poverty, and urban disenfranchisement. It wasn’t just music; it was—and still is—a form of resistance. A space to reclaim identity, speak brutal truth, and demand to be seen.

Yet these truths are often misunderstood or ignored. Rather than grappling with the conditions that create such urgent expression, society too often chooses to silence the music instead.

“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” — James Baldwin

The Reality for Grime Artists

Grime artists, in particular, have walked this tightrope for years—battling to be heard in an industry that rarely makes space for rawness without polish.

Take Little Simz, for example. Despite her lyrical brilliance, critical acclaim, and uncompromising authenticity, she was passed over by major platforms and award shows early in her career. Her albums explored deep, personal themes—race, gender, mental health, working-class identity—with artistry and grace. But for years, the industry didn’t quite know where to place her.

It wasn’t until she built her own following and refused to compromise that the world began to listen. Still, her story reminds us that even undeniable talent can go unseen when it doesn’t conform to commercial formulas.

Little Simz didn’t break through by changing who she was—she broke through by staying who she was.

Embracing the Power of Authenticity

For artists operating in often-overlooked genres, the key to rising above the noise lies in staying true to their authentic selves. There is incredible power in being unapologetically you, especially when the world seems intent on shaping you into something more marketable.

As an artist, your ability to tell your story from a place of truth and conviction is your greatest asset.

“Always be yourself, express yourself, have faith in yourself, do not go out and look for a successful personality and duplicate it.” — Bruce Lee

It’s tempting to conform—especially when faced with industry pressure to chase trends. But real impact isn’t measured in sales or streams. It’s measured in the lives you touch, the communities you empower, and the truth you refuse to compromise.

When you speak your truth, no matter how raw or uncomfortable, you create space for others to feel seen. You become a mirror—and sometimes a megaphone—for those who’ve long been silenced.

Hip Hop as a Cultural Movement

Hip hop is more than just a genre—it’s a cultural force. It’s a platform where marginalised voices can find power, and where personal narratives become political.

We’ve seen this reflected in everything from global youth culture to political activism. The fashion, the slang, the energy—it reaches across continents. But beyond aesthetics, hip hop offers something deeper: a place of refuge and identity.

“Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness.” — Maya Angelou

For many, hip hop provides more than expression—it offers survival.

The Role of the Artist: More Than Music

Artists in overlooked genres aren’t just musicians. They are chroniclers of time, storytellers of truth, and witnesses to lives that mainstream culture too often ignores.

That responsibility can feel heavy. But it’s also a powerful opportunity to shift narratives and challenge dominant norms.

“An artist’s duty, as far as I’m concerned, is to reflect the times.” — Nina Simone

And reflecting the times doesn’t mean sugar-coating them. It means giving voice to pain, joy, struggle, and resistance without asking for permission.

The Culture That Overlooks Urban Artists

Are urban music artists overlooked? Does the industry rewards polish over truth, silence over critique, and trend over substance. Artists working in grime, hip hop, and other urban genres—particularly those from working-class or marginalised backgrounds—are frequently filtered out by industry gatekeepers who don’t reflect their lived experiences. Take Mez, for instance—a fiercely talented grime MC from Nottingham known for his rapid-fire delivery, sharp lyricism, and authentic portrayal of his environment. Despite co-signs from legends like Wiley and standout performances on platforms like BBC 1Xtra and Boiler Room, he remains underexposed in mainstream circles. His story reflects how talent alone isn’t always enough when the system doesn’t see or value the voices on the margins. Or consider Potter Payper, an East London rapper whose deeply personal stories of struggle, street life, and resilience resonate strongly with his community. His rise, though hard-won, is a testament to the power of self-promotion and staying true to one’s roots in an industry that often overlooks the real stories behind the music. Despite his undeniable talent and authentic voice, Potter Payper’s success has been slow, demonstrating how the mainstream music world can often fail to support artists whose truth doesn’t always fit into commercially viable narratives.

To shift this, artists must not only create but also build their own platforms, collaborate with likeminded creatives, and speak unapologetically to their audience—rather than waiting for institutional approval. Culture is not static; it’s shaped by those bold enough to keep creating in the face of invisibility.

Finding Strength in the Unseen

To every artist who feels forgotten or unseen: your voice matters.

The stories you carry, the soundscapes you create, and the courage you bring to the mic are all part of something bigger.

The mainstream may overlook you—but the people who need to hear your message will find you. Your music doesn’t need mass approval to be important. It needs truth. It needs soul.

“In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.” — Albert Camus

Hold on to that invincible summer. Let it guide your journey, fuel your purpose, and light the way for others walking behind you.

Because your art isn’t just for now—it’s for the future. And the stories you tell today might just become the anthems of tomorrow.