SoundCloud’s Ascending is a monthly series that puts a spotlight on rising artists from around the globe who are making waves. This year’s lineup has already included rapper 1900Rugrat, indie-pop storyteller Erin LeCount, genre-defying honestav, alternative-R&B singer SAILORR, minimal house curator Josh Baker, viral sensation BabyChiefDoit — and now, straight from the UK rap underground, YT.
Coming out of North East London, YT has been steadily making a name for himself as a standout voice in the UK’s underground rap scene. He first joined SoundCloud in 2014, uploading tracks at just 14 years old, recording himself on GarageBand over type beats inspired by his favorite artists like New Boyz, Rangers and Marvelink.
Since then, he’s been consistently dropping music, sharpening his sound and building a loyal following, all while gaining recognition within underground circles. During the pandemic, YT put his head down and stayed focused on his craft, crediting SoundCloud as being his go-to outlet to share his music with listeners worldwide. “That was literally all we did, every single day, morning ‘til night,” he recalls. A major turning point came in 2023 with the release of his SoundCloud-exclusive tape ‘#SWAGRENAISSANCE,’ where he introduced the signature style that defines his music today.
“My fans on SoundCloud are the real music listeners. I’ve always felt, like, free to drop whatever or like the stuff that are my most authentic songs on SoundCloud.”
That creative freedom in shaping his sound and uploading on his own terms paid off for YT this past March, when he dropped his highly anticipated tape ‘OI!,’ marking another major moment in his come-up. Ahead of the project’s release, SoundCloud’s tweet — comprised solely of the hashtag #oi — went viral in February 2025, reflecting the strength and dedication of the community of supporters he’s built from the ground-up.
Off the back of dropping the 12-track project, YT hit the road for a run of EU shows, closely followed by dates in the UK and a string of summer festival slots. This October, he is embarking on his first live shows in Australia and New Zealand, further showcasing how his sound continues to resonate and reach growing audiences across the globe.
And if that wasn’t enough, YT just dropped an exclusive SoundCloud track, titled “Sayin Stuff,” to celebrate being named SoundCloud’s Ascending artist for September — a shoutout to his dedicated day-one fans.
Stay tuned because YT’s journey is just getting started. Follow him on SoundCloud and be the first to catch every new drop.
LISTEN TO “SAYIN STUFF” BY YT, EXCLUSIVELY ON SOUNDCLOUD
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