Big Chris Dropped a UK R&B Gem in 2013 and It Still Slaps

Okay so I just went down a rabbit hole of old UK mixtapes and I found this one that I somehow slept on. It's called In One Hand by Big Chris, and it dropped back in 2013 through Coast 2 Coast Mixtapes. I know, I know, 2013 is basically ancient history in internet years. But hear me out, because this thing still bumps.

So Here's the Deal

In One Hand came out on July 26, 2013. It's a nine-track mixtape from a UK artist named Big Chris, and it got hosted by Lil Fats, who runs Coast 2 Coast. If you remember mixtape culture from that era, that hosting credit meant something. It wasn't just some random upload.

The project pulled in over 50,000 downloads on DatPiff and went Silver. That's a real number from real listeners, not a label flex. And get this, it was mastered at Universal Music Mastering in Los Angeles. An unsigned UK artist using that kind of facility? That's wild for the time.

It's a mix of R&B and hip hop, with some pop and dance woven in. Big Chris wrote, performed and produced a lot of it himself.

About Big Chris

So who is this guy? Big Chris is a UK singer, rapper and producer who's been grinding independently for years. He didn't wait around for a label to notice him. Instead, he treated the internet and video platforms as his main way to reach people.

That was a smart move back then. Most UK urban artists were still waiting for a specialist TV playlist or a radio gatekeeper to give them a shot. Big Chris just put his stuff online and built his own audience.

He's worked with some serious names too. Keisha White, Paigey Cakey, MC Bushkin, Giggs, Big Narstie. His single "Bad Girl" got love from BBC Asian Network. The "Baby Maker" video was all over university campuses and Channel AKA. And he did all of this while staying unsigned. Respect.

What It Sounds Like

The vibe here is smooth but heavy. You get R&B vocals floating over hip hop drums, and then a track will switch up on you with some dance energy. It keeps you guessing in a good way.

"Bad Girl" featuring Samira is the lead single and it's a strong opener for the tape. It got radio support for a reason. The hook sticks with you after one listen.

Then there's "Baby Maker." That video was everywhere on campuses for a minute. The song has this slow, confident groove that just works. It's the kind of track you play when you're trying to set a mood.

The features add a lot too. Keisha White brings that classic UK R&B polish. Paigey Cakey adds edge. MC Bushkin brings that garage and pirate radio energy. It all fits together without feeling forced.

For a mixtape that's over a decade old, the production holds up. That Universal mastering credit makes sense when you hear how clean it sounds.

Check It Out

If you're into UK Music that blends R&B and hip hop without trying too hard, this one's for you. It's a snapshot of a time when independent artists were figuring out how to win online, and Big Chris was ahead of the curve.

Do yourself a favor and give In One Hand a spin. It's a solid mixtape from an artist who was doing things his own way before that became the norm.