Songer, a British rapper from Wokingham near Reading, is releasing his sixth studio album, "What If I Say No?", days after speaking to Rolling Stone about his career and identity as an artist. Despite mainstream interest and chart success in the UK, he has remained fiercely independent and resists the "rapper" label, describing himself instead simply as someone who writes and releases his own material, with lyrics that often explore mental health and the pressures of fame.

Songer first gained attention in 2017 at age 17 after a freestyle went viral on the YouTube channel Bl@ckbox, and he later broke into the UK singles chart with "Vino Bandit," a collaboration with drum-and-bass producer K Motionz. His track "Toxic Freestyle," built around a sampled Britney Spears instrumental, became the second-highest-selling UK rap single of 2024. He has toured Australia, New Zealand and Europe, supported grime pioneer Dizzee Rascal, and played Glastonbury, but says he has no plans to compromise his sound in pursuit of American success, even as he remains hopeful of one day breaking that market.