Fresh off a legendary streaming run in the UK—concluding with an exclusive Will Smith “In the Booth” performance—PlaqueBoyMax has dropped his first solo EP, 5$TAR SESSIONS: LONDON.
The five-track project features fully mixed versions of songs first previewed during his studio sessions. The features list is undeniable, spanning from rising UK underground artists like Nemzz and YT to legends like Skepta and Lancey Foux—essentially a Mount Rushmore of British rap.
For PlaqueBoyMax, this EP marks the culmination of a long evolution from streamer to artist. He first gained a following on Twitch in 2021, reacting to videos of then-underground rappers like Ken Carson. After moving to LA, he launched his now-iconic “In the Booth” and “Song Wars” series, where underground artists rap live while Max engineers or battle for the title of best-unreleased song. This growth is echoed in his subscribers. Since 2021 he has grown his channel to a following of over 3 million combined between YouTube and Twitch.
PlaqueBoyMax’s deepening connection with the UK music scene can be traced back to January 2025, when he collaborated with Central Cee for a special Can’t Rush Greatness album release stream. The stream saw Max and Cench in matching CRG x Cortiez shirts, discussing the differences between the U.S. and England and creating an unreleased song, 24 Hours, which has since gone viral.
The whole album was created over three days in London. In addition to the artists mentioned above, Max brought out Jim Legxacy, Fimi, Len, and more, encompassing a good majority of the UK underground. The fan-favorite stream from his London trip was when Max brought out UK electronic artist Fred again.. for an In the Booth session. Fred, one of the most prolific electronic producers in recent memory, chopped up a Doechii sample and created a song with it in seconds. The song has since racked up hundreds of thousands of views on YouTube, with fans everywhere calling for a full release.
On this project, Max is proving he belongs alongside these artists. At first impression, the production falls in line with what these artists have been consistently putting out. The beats range from Jerk to Drill, with a focus on the classic UK grime sound. It’s completely evident that Max is a student of the music and the culture.
This method of music release is truly unique. The artists do the rapping, while Max handles the production and engineering, creating a hybrid between a producer album and an All Is Yellow-style community project. Max’s streams are fueled by his omnipresent “Chat”—a constant feed of donations and real-time feedback on whatever song he’s currently working on, helping to connect fans to their favorite artists in real time. Max’s talent lies in his ability to bring artists together—a curator and connector shaping the underground scene.
Check out 5$TAR SESSIONS: LONDON, below.