Some big names will be landing on Irish shores over the coming months.

The ever-increasing interest in hip hop and grime in Ireland has seen promoters bringing over a plethora of international MCs for headline shows in venues across the city. We’ve selected our top picks from now until 2018

1. Ghostface Killah

The Shaolin legend returns to Dublin on September 29 in The Button Factory thanks to the good folks at Sense.

Support on the night comes from DJ Mo K, Rebel Phoenix & NUXSENSE.

2. Akala

An underground legend with a devoted following , Akala has become one of the most important figures in UK music by including his vast knowledge of history, politics and culture into his music.

Check out one of his insanely good Fire In the Booths to see what we mean. He plays Sugar Club on November 12.

3. J. Cole

One of the biggest selling hip hop artists of last year, J. Cole hits the 3 Arena on October 12. The critically acclaimed fourth album from Cole, ‘4 Your Eyez Only’ (of which the tour shares the same name) was the third highest weekly sales of 2016 only beaten by Drake  and Beyoncé.

This is set to be one of the biggest rap shows of the year.

4. J Hus

“What’s The Craic? What’s the Story!?” will be bellowed from the crowd with joy when J Hus hits The Academy on November 7.

His Mercury-nominated debut album ‘Common Sense’ is wall to wall with bangers that go off at his live shows. Also, keep your eyes peeled for an interview with him in Issue 003.

5. Joey Bada$$

The Brooklyn native has gone from strength to strength in the last five years since his ‘1999’ mixtape to this years release ‘All Amerikkkan Bada$$’, encapsulating his golden era New York boom bap sound his shows are the epitome of a classic hip hop gig.

He plays the Olympia on October 30.

6. Kurupt FM/PJDN

MC Grindah, DJ Beats, Chabuddy G and Steves will be making their Irish debut come November 10 in The Academy.

The best MC in the Galaxy and his posse of West London radio pirates, who recently signed to XL Recordings,  will be playing the best in UKG on the night with plenty of sovereign rings, Air Max 95’s and peak caps.

The boys will feel right at home in Dublin.

7. Cities Aviv

Memphis-born artist Cities Aviv has never performed in Ireland before, so we’re delighted to be teaming up with our mates Venture Presents to bring him to our shores.

He plays The DBD Venue aka The Mezz in Temple Bar on Friday November 17. The first 20 people to pick up a ticket get a complimentary copy of District Magazine Issue 002 (RRP €12). Click here for more.

8. AJ Tracey

AJ Tracey Absolutely up-ended The Little Big Tent this year at Electric Picnic, with more wheel ups and gun fingers than a side winder set. He’s played Dublin a couple of times and has always delivered a crazy show. Last time with Murli and God Knows on support powering through Grime instrumentals until the crowd was fit to burst, this next show on the 20th of October in The Academy is set to be just as memorable.

9. Nelly

Dust off the Air Force Ones and slap a plaster on your cheek. The Country Grammar star returns to Dublin to play all of his 00s classics in Vicar Street on November 20.

10. Aminé

One of the few XXL’s  Freshman class of 2017, Aminé has gone strength to strength off his singles such as ‘Caroline’ and the Missy Elliot inspired ‘REDMERCEDES’ from his debut album ‘Good For You’.

He plays Dublin, December 7 in The Button Factory.

11. Havoc & Big Noyd

ChoiceCuts have now revealed that they will welcome Mobb Deep’s Havoc and close affiliate Big Noyd to Dublin for a live Q&A. It will take place in The Sugar Club on Friday October 20, doors at 7.30pm.

It will be “about their fallen partner Prodigy and all things Mobb Deep since day one followed by their live show tribute”.

12. Bryson Tiller & SZA

Tiller will embark on a European tour and he’s bringing a very special guest.

SZA, who just released the excellent album ‘Cntrl’, will join him, and they’re stopping off in Dublin on November 30 to perform in 3Arena.

13. Saba

Saba has collaborated with fellow Illinois natives Chance The Rapper  and BJ the Chicago Kid as well as Jay IDK and more during his burgeoning career.

The young rapper is set to land in Dublin as part of his European tour on October 25. He’ll play The Academy’s Green Room.

14. Logic

His latest album ‘Everybody’ came out in May and featured Killer Mike, Juicy J, Chuck D and even Neil deGrasse Tyson.

He makes his Dublin debut in The Olympia Theatre on November 5.

15. Shabazz Palaces

The Sugar Club back with another big left of field booking on November 3, as they welcome Sub Pop’s Shabazz Palaces to Dublin.

Tickets available now.

16. Chali 2na

Jurassic 5’s Chali 2na makes another pilgrimage to The Sugar Club on October 29.

DJ Krafty Kuts on support.

17. Loyle Carner

One of the UK’s most quickly ascending rappers is landing in Dublin once again this week.

He plays Button Factory on September 27 on the back of his Mercury Prize nomination.