With his debut EP ‘Steeze Kills.’ fueled by adrenaline, Sheffield's emerging talent Young Eman is showcasing why he is considered one of the most thrilling voices in the UK underground. However, as he stands on the brink of something larger, uncertainty clouds his future.
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When I encounter Young Eman, the rising rapper from Sheffield, there’s an undeniable air of hope surrounding the current state of the UK’s underground music scene. Just the night before, US streamer Plaqueboymax brought his In The Booth show to The Big Smoke, where artists create an original track live in front of Max’s extensive audience. Fimiguerrero, Len, and YT all performed, attracting an impressive turnout of 20,000–30,000 attendees throughout the night. This felt like a significant moment for the scene, likely to be recognized as a crucial turning point. Yet, even more captivating than the established artists are the new wave of talent emerging beneath them—creators forging their own paths and producing raw, bold, and completely unique tracks. Young Eman has made a solid mark as a key player in this burgeoning movement, particularly after the release of his ambitious debut EP, ‘Steeze Kills.’.
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We meet at a quiet pub in Dalston on a Friday afternoon, and I’m immediately taken aback by how tall the 20-year-old is, his distinctive Sheffield accent apparent as we greet each other. As a Londoner born and raised, I’m admittedly curious about what Sheffield is like. “Sheffield’s very rich in culture,” Eman states. “I grew up among different cultures, went to school with white, Asian, and a few Black kids. The same goes for music; there’s lots of bassline, garage, grime, indie, and rock. It has a strong community vibe, even in our slang and how we communicate—everyone can relate to it.”
Sheffield has a deep-rooted musical legacy – it’s home to the Arctic Monkeys and Pulp, after all. While Eman draws inspiration from various genres, his primary influence comes from the atmospheric soundscapes of Travis Scott, introduced to him by his older brother. “[Rodeo] was the first American album I ever listened to,” Eman recalls. “My brother got me into all that—synths, Mike Dean, Travis.” His brother not only opened Eman’s ears to the music that would shape his sound but also showed him how to create it. “I watched my brother produce beats and record while I was supposed to be sleeping for school. One day, he was asleep, so I jumped on his setup and said, ‘I’m going to make a beat and a track,’ and I did.” Other than asking how to create an 808 slide, Eman made his first track at age 11. “The rest is history,” he adds with a smile.
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These days, Eman divides his time between Sheffield and London, although he has spent considerable time living with cult designer and underground influencer SlikSyd. The founder of OSBATT and Kult Records has played a crucial role in linking artists like Lancey Foux with Fimiguerrero and Len, helping to shed light on their talents. Given Syd’s history, the fact that he recognized Eman’s potential speaks volumes about the young rapper. “They’ve known about me for a while, but it was the April 2024 track ‘2DASIDE!’ that really connected me with them,” Eman explains. Prior to that, Syd had also discovered Teebo and jeffgrv—two artists making similar strides in the scene—who were both close to Eman before their rise. “It really feels like a family. Once I started coming to London, I stayed at Syd’s several times, and before I knew it, I was there for the whole summer. I crashed there for three months.” Despite this close relationship, Eman remains discreet about whether he’s officially part of Kult Records. “We’ll let the fans think whatever they want,” he chuckles.
After nine years of refining his skills—merging electronica, grime, trap, drill, and rock—and achieving the notable milestone of featuring his track ‘EAZI’ on the EAFC 24 soundtrack, Eman felt it was finally time to unveil his debut project. Titled ‘Steeze Kills.’, the five-track, nine-minute project is akin to a high-speed motorcycle ride through a downpour, heart racing as the tires threaten to slip at any moment. “I just want to offer you that adrenaline,” Eman explains, fittingly clad in biker attire in front of a dirt bike on the EP’s cover. “That’s how I feel when I create music—I get that rush. It’s euphoric, that thrill is present in every track. It’s
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With his adrenaline-pumped debut EP ‘Steeze Kills,’ Sheffield's emerging talent Young Eman is showcasing why he is considered one of the most thrilling voices in the UK.