The U.S. vs U.K. Debate – Which Nation has Better Rappers?

A couple of weeks ago, on July 3, Skepta sparked a new debate in the international hip-hop community: who would win in a lineup of UK vs. US rappers? 

In a string of posts on social media, Skepta posed to resolve this old rivalry between the Brits and the Americans, saying, “I wanna clash [with] an American rapper… Finally get this UK/US rap debate sorted.” He suggested a fantasy card of rappers from different nations to face off, featuring legends like Eminem and Lil Wayne, as well as UK heavyweights like Ghetts, JME, and Skepta himself.

There’ll always be chips (not fries!) on the British shoulders until they get the righteous recognition from the US that they deserve. Even with the wealth of talent coming out of the UK, there’s still a fight for validation from the birthplace of hip-hop. There’s a strong UK hip-hop/rap scene that goes back as far as the 80s, and it’s gone from strength to strength over the decades, becoming a cultural staple. But America remains the motherland and the cultural centre of rap music. No matter the quality coming from other nations, it will always hold its crown as the originators and main tastemakers of this great art form.

So far, Joyner Lucas has stepped into the ring with the North London legend, and the two have exchanged direct, yet measured, diss tracks – Skepta’s “Friendly Fire” and Joyner’s “Nobody Cares” both feel like warning shots to get things kicking off. While their beef is still brewing, we at Funktasy thought to rate the fantasy lineup Skepta tweeted and predict which rappers would prevail in a clash of the trans-Atlantic titans. 

Join us in this hypothetical hip-hop showdown. Mics at the ready, let the battle begin!

Chip vs Kendrick Lamar

During his commercial peak in the late 2000s pop-grime era, Chip was scoring top 10 singles with Chris Brown and even signed with T.I.’s label, Grand Hustle Records. After his cross-Atlantic crossover lost steam, he returned to the UK and doubled down on his roots in the grime genre, releasing countless singles, projects and freestyles through the 2010s and onward. 

Known for his effortless flows and clever wordplay, he’s considered by many as a top five UK rapper. Despite a discography that doesn’t hold many vital classics, to hold that rank purely off his pen game is a real testament to his talent.

But could he keep up with Kendrick Lamar? Both are battle-tested, with Chip having beefed with many rappers in his time, even seeing grime’s golden boy Stormzy shy away from responding in 2020. But Kendrick hasn’t been labelled the “best rapper alive” for no good reason. 

From conscious to confrontational, jazzy funk to hip-hop bangers, there are many different angles to his creativity. During the Drake beef, he showed his versatility, from pulling fast-paced punches on “Euphoria” to whispering menacing threats on the haunting “Meet the Grahams.” And he had the whole world bopping to “Not Like Us”. It was arguably the most memorable song of last year and probably caused Drake to ban the playing of any “A minor” chords in the studio after Kendrick turned it into the catchphrase of 2024.  

Who wins? Chip wouldn’t go down without a fight, but after seeing the public beating given to his last opponent, we think Kung-Fu Kenny might edge this one.

Listen to: “Duckworth” by Kendrick Lamar and “10 Commandments” by Chip

Ghetts vs Eminem

This is a tricky one. Eminem is undoubtedly one of the GOATs of hip-hop. Not only renowned for his technical prowess, he was also an entry point into battle rap for a lot of fans, elevating the sport to new recognition after his film 8 Mile dropped. Any fan can remember and recite that last iconic battle scene over the “Shook Ones” beat – “This guy ain’t a gangsta, his real name’s Clarence!”

Starting in Detroit’s underground battle scene, he was built off competition, and during his career, he hasn’t lost a bout yet, from Ja Rule and Canibus to Joe Budden. His ruthless diss track “Kill Shot” even had MGK switching genres from hip-hop to pop-punk; bullying another rapper into becoming a high-school emo kid shows the impact he can have on one’s career. 

But it’s his technical focus that can become a double-edged sword. Sometimes, you don’t know what you’re going to get – a dazzling display of witty punchlines, or a groaner like “Your booty is heavy duty (dooty), like diarrhea.” And with his speed raps, there are times when listening to him feels like hearing a guitarist shredding a million notes per second until it gets tiresome. 

Ghetts, on the other hand, has found a perfect balance between spitting daggers and serving a song’s purpose. He started out in the 2000s on the grime circuit, spitting technical bars with a frenzied persona and relentless pace. But his recent projects like Conflict of Interest have seen him develop from an underground king into one of the UK’s most well-rounded wordsmiths, rapping thoughtfully about personal growth, struggle and the environment he grew up in. He can also wow us lyrically without it feeling forced. Just see his “Daily Duppy” freestyle, themed around English football and incorporating smart wordplay throughout like “man get his liver pulled (Liverpool) out of his chest.”

Who wins? These are two incredible rappers who are prided on their lyrical dexterity, and while Em might have more standout moments, Ghetts has brought consistent quality through the last few years. Stalemate – nobody wins (except the listeners).

Listen to: “I Wonder” by Ghetts & Rudekid and “Animals (Pt. 1)” by JID featuring Eminem

 

JME vs Tyler, The Creator

Some fans were surprised at this match-up, but when you think about it, it really is a perfect fit. 

As two anomalies within their respective scenes who have no fear in being different or “eccentric,” they would pair well in a war of words. In the grime world where rappers like his older brother Skepta strive more into speaking on fashion, finances and flexing, JME can rap about veganism and video games and still make it the hardest verse on a posse cut. 

Meanwhile, Tyler has carved out his lane as a hip-hop visionary, with his last albums like Call Me If You Get Lost and Chromokopia furthering his creative run. Over the years, Tyler has really developed in many different aspects, from his visual presentation to his songwriting and producing, but one of his most noticeable improvements has been as a rapper. Listening to recent records like “Massa” against his juvenile earlier cuts like “Sandwitches” is a night and day difference in subject, flows and writing ability. 

JME, on the other hand, can hang with the best in Britain. His bars like “I’ve got a black ski mask, but I don’t ski” from “Man Don’t Care” became instant quotables while tunes like “96 Bars Of Revenge” solidified as UK classics. But over his career, he’s stayed within his musical pocket as a grime MC, even faithfully naming his last studio album, well, Grime MC. We rarely see him switch gears in terms of tone and tempo in the way that Tyler has.

Who wins? While JME is an undeniable force, there are too many ways for Tyler to shine as a musician and rapper that would trump JME staunchly sticking to his grime bag. For that, Tyler takes this one.  

Listen to: “96 Bars of My Life” by JME and “SORRY NOT SORRY” by Tyler, the Creator

 

Dave vs Lil Wayne

Any 2000s hip-hop head can remember the time when Lil Wayne ran the world. From his iconic Carter albums to his mixtapes and feature run, his prolific prime run was truly a sight to behold. He brought truth to that lyric from the intro of his Da Drought 3 mixtape: “I can hop on any n***a song and make him part two.” 

Even old hip-hop traditionalists who couldn’t stand his autotune or skinny jeans have reigned in their criticism, now appreciating his discography and legacy. He can still hop on tracks like “Big Dog” with Benny The Butcher or even accompany popstars like Jessie Reyez on “RIDIN” and remind us of that creative, punchline-laden style that he brought to the forefront of hip-hop.

It’s interesting when we throw Dave in the mix. 

While his wordplay-heavy technique seems to be reminiscent of artists like Wayne, he’s able to mix his lyrical precision with serious concepts and storytelling. He can hit you with thought-provoking poetry on songs like “Black,” discussing racial equality with bars like “the blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice / A kid dies, the blacker the killer, the sweeter the news / And if he’s white, you give him a chance, he’s ill and confused.” 

Dave still shines on more flexy tracks like “Sprinter” with Central Cee or “Stop Giving Me Advice” with Jack Harlow. His last records, Psychodrama and We’re All Alone In This Together, rightfully garnered high praise. Wayne? … Not so much. His 2025 album Tha Carter IV had moments of quality but was bogged down with a lot of half-baked ideas. And let’s not forget his mid-2010s beef with Pusha T and his flimsy diss track “Goulish” — “his head is up his ass, imma have to head butt him.” Not his sharpest moment.  

Who wins? Prime Weezy would have been able to take the win here, but his recent years have been inconsistent, and we’ve seen that diss records aren’t his forte. Even with a smaller discography and less time in the game, Dave hasn’t missed a beat. With that in mind, Dave wins.

Listen to: “We’re All Alone” by Dave and “Mamma Mia” by Lil Wayne

 

Central Cee vs Jack Harlow

This one is truly a match-up for the Gen-Z crowd. 

When Jack Harlow first rose to recognition, he was the next big thing. Hip-hop fans admired his witty penmanship, TikTok hooked onto his catchy songs, and many fell in with his charisma and looks as much as his music. 

While Harlow has lost a touch of momentum in the spotlight, it seems like Cee stepped up to a similar lane as the Louisville lyricist. From making a poppy, digestible model of the famous London drill sound, Cee has become another hit for the younger crowd. He gained a following through viral songs like “Doja” and “BAND4BAND” and became similarly successful through his social media presence and swagger, as Harlow did in the early 2020s.

But on his recently released album, Can’t Rush Greatness, Cee has shown a little more variety than Harlow has on both Come Home, the Kids Miss You and Jackman. From sharing hood tales to reflecting on the wild heights he’s risen to, the West London rapper dropped some nimble flows and visceral bars over complimentary (if somewhat safe) production. 

We’ve seen Harlow be given a chance to rap alongside one of his greatest influences on “Churchill Downs” with Drake, and honestly? He didn’t nearly go as hard as he could have. While neither of them gave particularly dazzling debut efforts, it’s fair to say that Cee outrapped and gave more substance than Harlow.

Who wins? We love Harlow’s style and authenticity, but on mic skill alone? Cee takes this one.

Listen to: “They Don’t Love It” by Jack Harlow and “Top 5 Freestyle” by Central Cee

 

Queenie vs Megan Thee Stallion

Average listeners might be puzzled by this one if not for the popularity gap, then for the genuine question of who Queenie is. 

A relatively underground UK rapper whose videos on YouTube reach within the 20,000 to 30,000 view margin. Now, this is no knock on her skills. One listen to recent tracks like “Writers Block” shows a knack for clever lines and smooth, syncopated rhythms. You can watch videos where she holds her own in cyphers with veterans like JME on Rinse FM and catch a barrage of dizzying flows within her “HB Freestyle” for Link Up TV. If pure talent were rewarded more than marketing and industry hustling, she’d surely sit nearer the top of the totem pole.  

But in this David and Goliath match-up, the giant stands tall. Megan has had an undeniable reign in rap for the past few years. From a wow-worthy Coachella performance to numerous Grammys and BET awards, she’s been rightfully rewarded for her confident, catchy brand of hip-hop. And besides the accolades, she’s a fantastic emcee who truly plays to her strengths with her quotable rhymes and razor-sharp flows and enunciation. 

Among contemporaries like Latto or Sexyy Redd, or even any male rappers hovering on the Billboard charts, her dextrous displays of rap stand like stilettos on the necks of the competition. Plus, she managed to win a beef with Nicki Minaj through one line on “Hiss” against Nicki’s 4-minute crash out on “Big Foot.” Imagine what she could do with a full song. 

Who wins? Queenie has a lot of talent that’s underappreciated and under-viewed (for now), but Megan’s writing paired with her mic skill, experience, and artistry win this one.

Listen to: “Writers Block” by Queenie and “Thot Shit” by Megan Thee Stallion

Skepta vs A$AP Rocky

Here, we have the Brit that’s been quick to start this back and forth and the American that we’ve waited on for years to drop his album (the “ASAP” in his name really feels like false advertising at this point).

All jokes aside, both rappers are innovators within their countries and scenes. Skepta has always been a staple in the UK and was a spearhead in the grime resurgence of the 2010s, which pushed the genre and British rappers to new heights internationally. He’s become an ambassador for Britain’s global outreach and a key reference point for US listeners. 

On the other hand, Rocky galvanized the game with his Southern influence and cloud rap sound. He set a new standard for experimentation and delocalized sounds in hip-hop with his 2011 mixtape Live.Love.A$AP, which was an instant classic. Whether it’s music, visuals, fashion or his growing acting career, he’s left his stamp on the culture.

Now, Rocky is a gifted, creative artist who’s given us a discography of great albums. But has lyrical skill been the main draw of his music? 

He’s a great rapper, but you could argue he tailors his mic skills to complement the whole sonic experience rather than giving us flashy lyricism. His bars take a backseat, letting his eclectic productions take the wheel on records like the psychedelic Testing from 2018. Skepta has been brought up in the UK culture of clashing, pirate radio sets and freestyles with channels like Radio 1Xtra. That generation doesn’t play when it comes to performance and writing skills. 

He’s been bred as a lyricist above anything else with many sides to his persona, from the pensive “Bullet In A Gun” to grime anthems like “That’s Not Me.” And he’s already hopped on tracks with American rappers like Rocky, Future and Cudi, and he’s proved himself as the strongest pen. He’s had more challenges from his fellow countrymen (and even his brother, JME) than any of his US collaborators.

Who wins? If it boils down to straight bars, Skepta has this one in the bag. Still, we’re faithfully waiting for Rocky to return to the fold and drop his next album. If he wants to warm up with an interjection into this Brit vs US beef, so be it!

Listen to: “No Sleep” by Skepta and “HIGHJACK” by A$AP Rocky

 

OTHER CLASHES WE’D LOVE TO SEE

Doechii vs Little Simz – Two of hip-hop’s brightest writers right now, who can flow and perform like crazy. To see the high-spirited stylings of Doechii against the insightful pen of Simz would be a sight to behold. 

Stormzy vs Joey Bada$$ – Both sharp lyricists who can walk the line between reflective and braggadocious. Stormzy took the win in his beef with grime’s pioneer, Wiley, and Joey Bada$$ just held his own against a slew of West Coast rappers, including Ray Vaughn earlier in 2025. 

Logic vs Loyle Carner – These guys give off such a friendly vibe in their music that we wonder if they even have an attack mode. As two thoughtful rappers who favour the 90s hip-hop tempos, this could be entertaining. 

And that Leaves Our Scorecard at Three to Three, Plus One Draw…

No need for any arguments, guys, everyone’s a winner! Both British and American fans will swear to the high heavens that their rappers would destroy the other side. But going by our predictions, we think it’d be a far closer match between the two nations. As events unfold and more rappers add their two cents (or two pence) to the debate, we’ll see how each camp navigates an international rap beef. Until then, let’s enjoy this fantasy match-up and remember, it’s all in good fun… for now, at least!