May 7, 2025 |
In 2025, the UK’s music scene is a sublime, bubbling broth made up of many ingredients. It’s rich with the flavour of countless genres, each thriving in their own right. Pop, rap, rave, R&B, jazz, jungle, neo-soul, indie, electronic, you name it – in every corner we have world-class pioneers leading the way and, simultaneously, ripping up the rule book. Featured inside 10 Magazine Issue 74, a portfolio of musicians all vary in age, genre, background, sexuality and stages of career. What they share, however, is self-assuredness, determination and confidence.
As someone who has interviewed many musicians over the years, it’s obvious when an artist doesn’t yet have faith in their own work. After speaking to each of the following rising stars, I found it refreshing to have come across a group of 10 artists, all dramatically different. who so clearly know themselves and what they want. They’re even going as far as to set boundaries and take the necessary time to pause between projects. Whether it’s JGrrey moving to the coast, Nabihah Iqbal heading to the Catskills for a two-month artist retreat or Cari taking a moment of reflection by revisiting the shop she once worked in, these artists are making the music that they want to make, when they want to make it. Oh, and they all happen to be women. Best get to know them now before you have to scramble for arena tickets – if anyone can do it, it’s this bunch.
JGrrey wears jacket by STUSSY, trousers by A1 DENIM, shoes by DR MARTENS, sunglasses by PRADA
South London-born artist JGrrey, 31, blessed the world with her debut mixtape, If Not Now?, in October 2023. It featured artists such as Kojey Radical and Zombie Juice and pushed her streaming numbers well into the millions. Shortly afterwards, she made the big decision to swap London’s chaotic pace for a quieter life on the coast. “I feel like I’ve done nothing all year,” she confesses. “But when I say I’ve done nothing all year, what I mean is that I’ve caught up with myself. I’ve been in nature. I’ve been making an effort with my friends, my family, seeing if anyone in my community needs support.”
Born in Vauxhall, JGrrey grew up across London, with brief spells living in Watford and Manchester, but she’s found peace of mind in the countryside – the beach providing some much needed respite from the pressures of city life, and the music industry too. “When I was in the city, it was like, you can’t be too much, too big, too controversial, too political or too gay. When actually, now I’m here, I’m like, fuck it. I’ll do what the fuck I like. How dare anybody try to cap my creativity?”
With the move, she’s also freed herself from the constraints of making music specifically for the radio or TikTok. She’s creating for no one but herself – and yes, she is working on new material (although details are under wraps for now). Until she can reveal more, I guess we’ll just have to revisit her discography. Or, if you’re new here and are looking for a soothing, poetic dive into her music, start with JGrrey’s own personal favourite from her debut: Theirs13.
Taken from 10 Magazine Issue 74 – MUSIC, TALENT, CREATIVE – on newsstands now. Order your copy here.
SOUNDS OF THE UK
Portrait OLIVER TRUELOVE
Text ISOBEL VAN DYKE
Fashion assistant GEORGIA EDWARDS
Production ZAC APOSTOLOU and SONYA MAZURYK
