Vicious, perhaps on the rise, an underworld figure (3)
I believe the answer is:
dis
'underworld figure' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?
'vicious perhaps on the rise' is the wordplay.
'vicious perhaps' becomes 'Sid' (Sid Vicious).
'on the rise' is a reversal indicator (in a down clue, letters go up).
'sid' backwards is 'DIS'.
'an' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for dis that I've seen before include "Speak to (someone)without respect" , "Speak disrespectfully to (colloq.)" , "Hades" , "Be rude" , "Show contempt" .)