Every now and then, an artist comes along who makes you sit up, rewind the track, and really listen. Not just to the beat, not just to the bars, but to the story—raw, unfiltered, and painfully real. Enter Rk Lakez, the genre-bending rapper from Slough who’s taking UK rap by storm, one heartfelt lyric at a time.
Born and raised in the overlooked town of Slough, Rk Lakez doesn’t just rep his hometown—he owns it. “Yeah I would say I’m a Slough artist… it’s a shit-hole but it’s our shit-hole,” he admits candidly. It’s this no-filter honesty that forms the foundation of Lakez’s identity. While others hide where they’re from, Lakez wears his roots with pride, showing that greatness can come from anywhere.
The journey began in 2019, with a breakthrough track alongside Luv and another now-former collaborator. The song made serious waves. “Everyone was fucking with the track heavy,” he remembers. That buzz wasn’t just validation—it was a revelation. It lit the spark that would become Rk Lakez Music. He looks back on that early autotune-heavy sound with appreciation, calling it a time capsule for what was to come. Since then, he’s evolved into a more refined artist, swapping effects for authenticity with a sound grounded in real rap and drill.
But don’t box him in—because he won’t stay in it.
Rk Lakez thrives on versatility. His catalogue is a sonic rollercoaster—melodic one minute, aggressive the next. “I’ve got bare different styles I can pick from… slow, fast, melodic—man can really do it all.” His secret? Not overthinking it. “Have fun with it and enjoy yourself,” he says, revealing a philosophy that keeps his creativity flowing and his artistry limitless.
If his technical range is impressive, his lyrical depth is nothing short of moving. While 2021 to 2023 saw him dabble in harder, more violent themes, songs like Cognac Baby and Lonely reveal a different side—one marked by reflection, vulnerability, and soul. “In Lonely, I dive into my mental health and become very vulnerable,” he shares. It’s a rare thing in UK drill and rap—an artist willing to lay his inner world bare, hoping to inspire young men to open up about grief, trauma, and suicidal thoughts. “That’s gonna be my main focus going into 2025,” he confirms.
That maturity didn’t come out of nowhere. Life has shaped Rk Lakez—sometimes harshly. The death of his best friend Sinner, and watching his father fall ill, were transformative moments. “This shit changed me,” he says. And it shows. The shift in his subject matter isn’t just about growth—it’s about survival. His track Worth It carries his Caribbean influences, bridging pain with heritage in a way only he can.
Musically, his inspirations come from both sides of the Atlantic. “When I was 15/16 running around doing dumb shit, it was Loski we was listening to, you get me?” he laughs. And then there’s the unmistakable influence of U.S. heavyweights like Lil Uzi Vert and the late XXXTENTACION—figures whose melodic experimentation and emotional depth mirrored what Lakez was trying to do back home. If given the chance to collaborate with anyone, dead or alive, he doesn’t hesitate: XXXTENTACION, Cadet, Lil Uzi Vert, Loski, and fellow UK riser ARTAN. He’s already linked with Kairo Keyz on Demon Time, a track about to hit 50,000 streams. “That’s nuts to think about,” he grins.
But Rk Lakez isn’t chasing clout—he’s chasing change. “My ultimate goal is to be able to change people’s outlook on life through my lyrics,” he says. And the confidence? It’s real. “I believe in myself for real.” His dream? Touring, headlining festivals, feeding his family through music, and living what he calls his “movie” alongside the same people he started with.
2025 is shaping up to be a landmark year. “I’ve got a lil suttin dropping this month,” he teases, “but what I’ve got waiting for 2025? We’re gonna break through into the wider UK audience.” He’s gunning for his first million streams by mid-year—and frankly, it’s hard to bet against him.
For anyone just starting out, Rk Lakez has hard-earned advice: don’t take hate personally, don’t waste your budget on rushed visuals, and don’t drop weekly just for the sake of it. “Focus on promo, drop every 2-3 months, and push each release for real.” It’s the kind of wisdom that only comes from trial, error, and unshakeable grind.
He’s been writing since he was 14. Now 23, he’s seen enough life to fill a hundred tracks—and he’s just getting started. “When your life gets more serious, your music should follow, you get me?”
From a Slough teen with a mic and a dream to an emerging artist poised to break into the mainstream, Rk Lakez is living proof that authenticity still wins. His voice—equal parts pain, passion, and perseverance—is one the UK can no longer afford to ignore.
Slough, stand up. Your voice has arrived. And his name is Rk Lakez. Follow his journey and listen to his latest tracks. @rklakez