Little Simz + Melo-X

The London rapper born Simbi Ajikawo has garnered co-signs from all the industry heavyweights—J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar and A$AP Rocky, to list a few—and one listen to her relentlessly explosive, technically precise flow demonstrates why. Throughout the 8 mixtapes leading up to last year's full-length, A Curious Tale of Trials + Persons, the up-n'-comer shifts fluidly between stone cold rapper and powerfully emotive singer, working charismatic resolve with conviction. Catch the young gun on her rise as she stops by Williamsburg.