On Friday 19 May 2023, Potter Payper’s debut album, Real Back in Style, went in at No 2 in the official UK charts. By releasing a slew of classic mixtapes over the last decade, the 32-year-old had built a reputation as one of the most skilled writers in UK rap. On paper, the album was a career high, achieved against the odds.
First, it has no guest features. Rappers often use collaborations to maximise their streaming audiences, but not this time, no need. The album’s binding style, introduced by the singles Blame Brexit, Multifaceted, Corner Boy and White Ash, upheld its creator’s formula of undiluted hip-hop, avoiding any urge to chase a softened sound for primetime radio play.
