Lemarl Freckleton (born c. 1994) [1] [2] is a Welsh rapper and hip-hop artist, who performs under the name Lemfreck (sometimes styled LEMFRECK). He won the 2024 Welsh Music Prize and has been nominated for a BAFTA Cymru. [3]
Freckleton grew up in the St Julians area of Newport, south Wales. He subsequently moved to Bristol and eventually based himself in Brixton, south London. [4]
According to Bill Cummings of God Is in the TV, "Lemfreck’s music skirts the lines of hip-hop, ragga influences grooves and gospel, carrying with it his unmistakable stamp and unique voice, forged from his upbringing and the poverty and injustice in his community". [4] He has been compared to rappers Skepta and Slowthai. [5]
Lemfreck writes quickly and initially self-produced his music. In 2021 he released an album, The Pursuit, then singles including Closer and Play with Silver. Then an EP titled Blood and Sweat and Fears. [4]
In October 2024 Lemfreck won the 2024 Welsh Music Prize for his album 'Blood, Sweat and Fears', praised for its "vision and ambition". [2] [3] The album was also nominated at the inaugural Black Welsh Music Awards in October 2025. [6]