Virtually famous: Dave

Dave’s low-key stage name implies modesty, but surely a remix from Drake would be enough to turn any unknown 17-year-old’s head?

Last October the Canadian giant added his smooth tones to Dave’s languid track Wanna Know. The connection has helped the Streatham rapper’s online numbers considerably.

Now 18, his new song, a collaboration with Stratford’s J Hus entitled Samantha, has just raced to a million YouTube views in less than a week.

Unlike the harsh sonic stabs of grime, Samantha is built upon grandiose piano chords – Dave plays to an extremely high standard and has said that he’s only into the more melodic side of grime. He sings, too.

As with plenty of London rap folk, there seems to be no record deal on the horizon, but that doesn’t appear to be holding him back. He’s writing with Fraser T Smith, who helped Kano towards his Mercury nomnination for his top 10 album Made in the Manor, and also co-wrote Adele’s Set Fire to the Rain.

Call him Dave, or call him London rap’s next big crossover success.