A rapper has topped the charts with the biggest debut album for a UK artist in 2022.

ArrDee, from Brighton, whose real name is Riley Davies, topped the Official Charts rankings for his album Pier Pressure.

ArrDee told The Argus: "Still can’t believe what we did with Pier Pressure, never thought I’d become the biggest selling artist in the UK from my debut project, big ups to everyone who supported.”

It was 2022’s biggest new debut album by a UK artist, according to the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).

The ranking is part of a national rise in the popularity of rap and hip hop music. 

The Argus: ArrDee's debut album topped the chartsArrDee's debut album topped the charts (Image: PA)

Stormzy, Dave and Central Cee are among the British artists who have helped hip hop and rap music claim a record share of the UK albums market in 2022.

Last year, the genre achieved its highest annual portion of all album consumption across sales and streaming at 12.4 per cent, making it the third largest behind rock and pop, record labels association the BPI has said following analysis of Official Charts data.

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In 2015, the genre secured just four per cent of the annual consumption – but in the last four years, it has commanded ten per cent or more of the market with 2022 moving up from the previous year’s 11.9 per cent.

The 2022 growth was supported by the release of music by global stars but the BPI has said “much of its success” is down to the popularity of British artists.

The Argus: ArrDee is from BrightonArrDee is from Brighton (Image: PA)

“As 2023 marks the 50th anniversary since the birth of hip hop and rap, the genre is showing immaculate timing by celebrating another milestone in its remarkable history and claiming a historic annual share of the UK albums market," said Sophie Jones, BPI chief strategy officer and interim chief executive.

“Hip hop/rap has been hugely popular with British music fans since The Sugarhill Gang’s ground-breaking hit Rapper’s Delight at the end of the 70s.

“But while at one time most of its successes here were exported from across the Atlantic, the UK today has a thriving scene of its own, led by brilliant artists such as Dave, D-Block Europe and Little Simz, to name a few.

“They and many others in the genre are taking full advantage of the opportunities provided by streaming, which, with record label support, has placed them at the centre of British music culture and is delivering them hugely deserved success.”