British rapper based in Hackney, London, Stephanie Victoria Allen known professionally as Stefflon Don unreleased song “Pardon Me” reportedly leaked online.
She is a well traveled artist; having been originally born in Birmingham, UK to Jamaican parents before relocating to Rotterdam, Holland and then returning to the Clapton district of Hackney.
Stefflon Don rose to fame after her 2017 single “Hurtin’ Me” featuring French Montana peaked at number 7 on UK Singles Chart. In 2016, Allen released her debut mixtape Real Ting followed by another mixtape, Secure, in 2018.
Her ascend in the UK rap scene has taken the industry by storm, especially due to a lack of elite females within the urban industry. Initially working closely with rapper Sneakbo and covering other artists, such as Section Boyz and Rihanna.
Often hailed up as the UK’s answer Nicki Minaj – Due to her bold and brash raps, infused with raw sexual dancehall flavours. She in fact notes her time hearing dance music from the mixed ethnic minority community in Rotterdam. Drawing upon the Spanish, Suriname and Portuguese influences.
Still in her formative years Steff has already racked up an impressive list of features. Significantly appearing on the re-released “Wobble Remix” by Lethal Bizzle, Angel’s “Hop On” and skit on Wretch 32’s album Growing Over Life. Before unleashing her first official song “Real Ting” off the back of her debut mixtape Real Ting. Securing man of the moment Giggs for the remix. Taking things internationally she then made a hook feature on Jeremih’s “London” alongside Krept & Konan.
With word she has been working with Drake as well as the surprise inclusion on Lil Yachty debut album Teenage Emotions, there is definitely bigger and better things to come from the Stefflon Don.
In 2018, she featured on XXL’s Freshman class as the first UK Act in a cypher with YBN Nahmir & Wifiisfuneral.
The dancehall/rap artist switches between dancehall patois, grime verses, and honeyed vocals with ease and confidence. Originally born in Birmingham to Jamaican parents, Allen moved to the Netherlands when she was five years old.
Stefflon Don’s family remained in Holland for nine years before moving to Clapton, East London when she was 14. As Don grew older she knew she wanted to pursue music, taking on the initial strategy of covering other artists’ work and spinning it in new directions; the first two efforts that gained traction came in 2015, when Allen covered Wretch 32’s “Six Words” and Section Boyz’s “Lock Arff.”
As Stefflon Don became more popular, she collaborated with a number of prominent artists including Lethal Bizzle, Sneakbo, Jeremih, and Wretch 32 on his 2016 album Growing Over Life. 2016 also saw the release of her debut mixtape, Real Ting, which featured Jeremih returning the favor as a guest artist.
As 2016 drew to a close, Stefflon Don was highlighted on the BBC’s Sound of 2017 list. She kicked off 2018 with the release of the Hurtin’ Me EP (Polydor), which featured “Instruction” with Jax Jones and Demi Lovato, as well as the U.K. Top Ten title track, and in 2019 she issued the single “Phone Down,” a collaboration with rapper Lil Baby. The following year saw the release of the Afrobeat-tinged single “Can’t Let You Go.”
