LeeFest has a habit of breaking artists before they hit the big time, with Bastille, Clean Bandit and Jack Garratt all getting early slots. Could this year’s equivalent be Croydon rapper Loyle Carner.

The 21-year-old, whose real name is Ben Coyle-Larner, already has two sold-out tours under his belt. His songs have been played on Radio 1 and 1Xtra and he made the BBC Sound of 2016 long list.

And all this follows the release of just one EP to date – 2014’s A Little Late – and videos films in his home in south Croydon.

Loyle told us: “I’ve been working on new music ever since. I’ve put out a few songs but I haven’t put out another project because I didn’t want to rush anything.

“I’ve been busy playing a lot of shows.”

Loyle’s soulful tracks tackle issues that are closest to his heart and are inspired by the music he loves, from Mos Def to Slum Village.

He said: “It’s probably more hip-hop and rap rather than grime but when people ask I say just have a listen instead.”

He added: “My family are probably the biggest influence but music-wise, it’s a lot of guys from the US and a lot of guys from the UK – Skinnyman, Mos Def.”

His first official gig was alongside British/American hip-hop star MF Doom back in 2012 and since then he has continued his success supporting Joey Badass and Kate Tempest on their tours and gracing the stage at Glastonbury in 2015.

After his current European tour, Loyle will be looking forward to LeeFest this summer – itself a homegrown success, having been founded in Lee Denny’s Beckenham back garden in 2006 – on a bill alongside the likes of Lianne La Havas, Ghostpoet and Roots Manuva.

LeeFest presents The Neverland is at a secret location in Kent from July 28 to 30. Go to leefest.org

Your Local Guardian: