Roots Manuva

Before the grime scene of the early 2000s gave the U.K. its own unique, home-grown hip-hop nation, there was really only Roots Manuva holding it down for the Brits during the preceding decade. Influenced as much by reggae and electronica as by American hip-hop, Roots Manuva has collaborated with a diverse array of artists--from Leftfield to 23 Skidoo to Pharoah Monch--and is seen, from both a creative and commercial perspective, as one of the most influential and groundbreaking artists in U.K. hip-hop.

• hip hop/rap