Stefflon Don

Stefflon Don rose to wider prominence with “Hurtin’ Me,” her 2017 single featuring French Montana, which reached number seven on the UK Singles Chart. The track followed her debut mixtape, Real Ting, released in 2016, and helped bring her rap, dancehall and R&B-informed approach to a broad UK audience.

Born Stephanie Victoria Allen in Birmingham on 14 December 1991, she is the daughter of Jamaican parents. Her early life included a move to Rotterdam in the Netherlands before she returned to London, living in the Clapton area of Hackney. She has cited the dance music she heard within Rotterdam’s mixed communities, including Spanish, Surinamese and Portuguese influences, as part of her musical background.

Before releasing her own material, Stefflon Don worked closely with Sneakbo and recorded covers of songs by artists including Section Boyz and Rihanna. Real Ting introduced songs including “Real Ting,” which later received a remix featuring Giggs. Her early appearances also included Lethal Bizzle’s re-released “Wobble Remix,” Angel’s “Hop On,” and a skit on Wretch 32’s album Growing Over Life. She joined Jeremih, Krept & Konan on “London” and appeared on Lil Yachty’s debut album Teenage Emotions.

In 2018, she released her second mixtape, Secure. That year she was included in XXL’s Freshman Class, becoming the first UK act to take part in its cypher, where she appeared alongside YBN Nahmir and WiFiisfuneral. Performing as Stefflon Don, she has worked across UK hip hop and dancehall while maintaining an international set of collaborations.