The more “urban” aspects of UK music have really gone from strength to strength in the last 3/4 years. There are many factors which feed into this but for me three of these are key. Firstly, Meridian Dan’s run, secondly, Skepta’s phase (Shutdown, That’s Not Me, etc) and Drake’s continued support / co-signs over the years.
Fast-forwarding to now, one of the most interesting things for me as a fan and someone who critiques music is the forging of genres(sounds). Alongside the Grime slander, one of the other trends I’ve noted is the packaging up of everything as “Grime”. Off the back of that, I felt inspired to bring you in on some of my views on the dominant sounds and wrap the post up with some conclusive points.
1. Grime
This was my favorite genre to listen to in school, with countless hours spent watching Lord of The Mics clashes. It was the grittiness and abrasive energy which captured me the most. With Lord of the Mics on freeze and radio sets not what they used to be; (F Radio era was the best) I don’t really check for Grime music much anymore. The only real exception to this being if a big single drops from one of the heavyweights(Chip, Stormzy, Ghetts, Skepta etc) that gets a lot of radio circulation.
Most recently I stumbled across Litty Lightz and was very impressed by the 13-Year-Old mc. His skippy delivery on his Kiss set reminds me of a young Chip.
3 tracks I’m playing at the moment:
1. Chip – 34 Shots
2. Wiley – Call The Shots ft Jme
2. Rap
I was quite late on listening to UK rap. Looking back I’d say it wasn’t until 2008 or 2009 when I really opened to the likes of Black The Ripper(Summer Madness / Holla Black) and Random Impulse(Full Metal Alchemist). Thereafter, it was Giggs, Wretch and Young Teflon who I gravitated to and they are still adapting their sounds to this day.
Looking at it from a higher level, the rap landscape now is even more interesting. Simplifying it, you’ve got the undiluted Trap (Fredo /Cbiz etc), the more fun stuff(Mist, Mostack etc) and then the more conscious rap (Dave, Avelino Wretch etc). The ability for these artists to interchange and dip into other areas is what makes me think its come along way.
3 tracks I’m rating at the moment:
1. Fredo – Star
2. Mist – Game Changer
3. Drill
At first, I couldn’t take this sound seriously at all. My ear wasn’t used to hearing UK rappers rap in the same style(or on the same beats) as Cheif Keef and Co at all. Although, after a while, noticing a switch I came back to it. The energy of the production had switched (MKThePlug, M1OneTheBeat and Carns Hill a few that come to mind) and the unfiltered delivery of lyrics gave me the Grime feeling. I can’t lie to you and say sometimes I don’t think wow, why am I listening to this CRUD, but hey if they live that life that’s on them.
The SRB Projects(SRB Separation Confirmed: The Blue/Dark Print) and Most Wanted which has almost every group on it are two of the strongest releases out there. Aside from them I really have high expectations for Loski’s debut project I feel like he’s almost like the J Hus of Drill.
3 tracks I’m playing at the moment:
1. K Trap – Watching
2. Loski – Intro
4. Afroswing
This sound is the true melting pot and has the most potential to explode this year with the fire three leading the way(J Hus, Yxng Bane, and Not3s). It’s so refreshing to hear elements of Reggae, Afrobeats, Garage, Grime and more blended into one. The playful nature and largely non-aggressive lyrics(except these Arriba and Delajore haha) also make it the most commercially palatable.
The only thing is much like with UK Drill this sound is saturated with many artists taking the template and doing a half-hearted job. This makes me think could this end up like Baseline, Funky House, Garage etc? time will tell I guess.
3 tracks I’m playing at the moment:
1. APROBLEMM – Give A Toss
2. Kojo Funds – Check ft Raye
The Wrap Up
To wrap-up, its such an exciting time for the UK Music scene with a lot less watered down crap.The artists which are making the most waves in this time are mixing in everything exemplified perfectly by Krept & Konan with the slightly overlooked 7 Days and 7 Nights. I would like to see something major in Grime happen again though maybe like a BBK album.
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