-
play_arrowItch Radio – Dedicated to Hip Hop
From Lowkey and Akala to Bugzy Malone and Wretch 32, these are some of the Fire in the Booth sessions that still stand out
Charlie Sloth’s Fire in the Booth became one of the UK’s most recognisable freestyle platforms, giving MCs a microphone, a selection of beats and a few minutes to show what they could do.
Over the years, the booth has welcomed artists from across the UK and beyond, creating hundreds of memorable sessions.
There is no single answer when it comes to the best Fire in the Booth. Everyone has their favourite, so we’ve picked some of the sessions that continue to get people talking.
Lowkey
Lowkey‘s first Fire in the Booth arrived during the early years of the format in 2010. His session became known for its intricate wordplay and politically focused writing, while the performance has remained one of the most discussed in the show’s history.
Akala
Akala has appeared in the booth many times, but his performances from the early years of the series remain particularly memorable. His second Fire in the Booth showed the combination of technical ability, storytelling and social commentary that became a major part of his reputation.
Wretch 32 & Avelino
Wretch 32 and Avelino’s 2015 session is one of the performances most often mentioned when fans debate the best Fire in the Booth.
The two MCs take turns over the beats, bringing very different styles together while keeping the performance focused.
Giggs
Giggs was one of the earlier major names to step into the booth, making his first appearance in 2011. His session showed how a rapper with such a distinctive style could adapt to the Fire in the Booth format without losing what made him stand out.
Bugzy Malone
Bugzy Malone‘s first Fire in the Booth arrived in 2015 and became one of the defining moments of his early rise. The Manchester rapper brought storytelling, energy and a strong sense of identity to the session.
His connection with the format has continued years later. In 2026, Bugzy returned for a fourth session and became the first artist inducted into the new Hall of Flames.
Kano
Kano brought another side of UK rap to the booth when he made his first appearance in 2016. Already established as one of London’s most respected MCs, he used the session to show why his delivery and writing had kept him relevant across different eras of UK Hip Hop.
Ghetts
Ghetts‘ first F.I.T.B, arrived in 2012, but he returned to the format years later with a special session filmed in Dubai.
The 2021 appearance became the first ever Fire in the Desert, with Ghetts switching between beats while keeping the focus on his flow and delivery.
Why Fire in the Booth Still Matters
What made Fire in the Booth different was its simplicity. The artist had to step up to the microphone and perform, while Charlie Sloth’s reactions became part of the experience.
The format created moments that travelled far beyond the original radio show. Some performances introduced artists to much bigger audiences, while others became reference points for fans debating flows, wordplay and delivery.
From the early sessions with Lowkey and Akala to more recent returns such as Bugzy Malone’s Hall of Flames appearance, Fire in the Booth has continued to give MCs a platform to show what they can do.
Honourable Fire in the Booth Mentions
There are far too many memorable sessions to fit into one list. Here are some more worth revisiting:
P Money One of the early grime voices to step into the booth, bringing rapid flows and grime energy to the session.
Devlin The second session brought the darker and more introspective side of his writing back to the booth.
Mic Righteous An early Fire in the Booth appearance from a Brighton MC known for intense and detailed writing.
Nines Dating back to 2013, this session has since become one of the most viewed entries in the archive.
K Koke The early Fire in the Booth helped put his Stonebridge sound in front of a much wider audience.
Nolay A prominent female voice in UK grime, she made her mark with a 2012 Fire in the Booth appearance.
Potter Payper East London’s Potter brought his detailed street-focused style to the booth in 2014.
J Hus His F.I.T.B. arrived in 2015, before he went on to become one of the UK’s biggest artists.
D Double E A veteran grime voice, bringing his distinctive delivery to one of his early F.I.T.B. appearances.
360 Cypher The 2015 F.I.T.B. 360 Cypher features Lady Leshurr, Lady Lykez, Cadet, Lunar C, Eyez, J Spades and others.
Follow Charlie Sloth on Instagram