Grime music. Probably not all that familiar to my American readers. However, here in the UK it is absolutely massive. In this piece I’m going to take you through the biggest artists, almost all of whom are East Londoners, and some of the best songs. I will warn you now though, it’s not to everyone’s taste..
Anyway, without further ado, welcome to Grime…
Wiley is the best place to start. The self-proclaimed father of grime is responsible for my personal favourite track, Wearing My Rolex. It’s not lyrically all that impressive, but it has a sick beat, sampling DSK’s ‘What Would We Do’. It reached #2 in the UK charts in May 2008. His other big track is Never Be Your Woman, sampling ‘My Woman’ by Al Bowlly. The trumpety bit is catchy-as-hell. This reached #8 this March. Finally, is Take That. Produced by Chew Fu, a familiar name to most of my readers, it reached #20 this Christmas, and is a guaranteed party started. He also featured on Dem Na Like Me, by The Qemists, of which A1 Bassline made a HUGE remix!
Qemists-Dem Na Like Me(A1 Bassline Remix)
Wiley ft Chew Fu -Take That
Wiley Ft Emeli Sande-Never Be Your Woman
Wiley-Wearing My Rolex
From the ‘Godfather of grime’ to the most successful artist. Dizzee Rascal is familiar to readers across the globe. Dizzee first gained mainstream recognition with the massive Jus’ a Rascal, released in 2003. Although it only reached #30 in the charts, it received great support from Radio 1, and is nationally recognised. More recently, Dizzee has gone independent, with the launch of his own label, Dirtee Stank. His recent hits include Holiday, in collaboration with Scottish producer Calvin Harris, and Bonkers, with Armand van Helden. Both taken from his most recent album, Tongue n Cheek, they both hit the #1 spot. Soon to be released is his collaboration with Chase & Status, Heavy.
Dizzee Rascal Ft Armand Van Helden-Bonkers
Dizzee Rascal-Holiday(feat Chrome)
Dizzee Rascal-Jus A Rascal
Chase and Status ft Dizzee Rascal-Heavy
After the Rascal comes Lethal Bizzle. Lethal B is one of the forefathers of the genre, with the pioneering track Pow! (Forward Riddim), which was banned in nightclubs, on its release in 2005, after it caused numerous riots, as well as being banned from some radio stations for it’s threatening lyrics. Despite this, it managed to reach #11 in the national charts. I almost always include this in my set when DJing in the UK. I have also chosen to include Going Out Tonight, taken from the album Go Hard, released in 2009. Although it didn’t chart this is, in my opinion, one of his top tunes.
Lethal Bizzle-Going Out Tonight
Skepta is closely associated with Wiley. His track, Sunglasses at Night, sampling the 80’s hit of the same name by Corey Hart. Although this didn’t make its expected impact, it’s still a good tune. My other Skepta track features Jay Sean, who may be familiar from his megahit ‘Down’. This is the H’Two’O & TwoFace remix. Another good party jam, with some serious bass.
Skepta Ft Jay Sean-Lush(H Two O Meets TwoFace Remix)
Skepta-Sunglasses At Night
Pictured at the top, Kano is probably best known from his track Rock N Roller, which he released last year. However, his track P’s & Q’s is his most popular to grime fans. It’s taken from his 2004 début album, Home Sweet Home. Kano has also featured on Chase & Status’ album More Than Alot, providing vocals on Against All Odds, their breakthrough single. He recently released his mixtape, the Jack Bauer 7 Day mixtape, from which the standout tracks are Game Over and Track Burglar (if anyone knows what the sample in this is please comment!)
Chase And Status-Against All Odds (Feat. Kano)
Kano-Game Over
Kano-P’s and Q’s
Kano-Rock N Rolla
Kano-Track Burglar
Recently released is Pass Out by Tinie Tempah. This has been a massive smash hit throughout the UK, reaching the #1 spot this February. Its even been sampled by Chiddy Bang. He’s also remixed As We Enter by Nas & Damian Marley.
Tinie Tempah-Pass Out
Bashy’s 4 O’Clock is an all time grime classic. It’s well produced and lyrically impressive. His track Copy Cat is more light hearted, with a nice summery beat. Bashy has not been as successful in the mainstream and is therefore seen as something of a more authentic grime artist.
Bashy-4 O’Clock
Bashy-Copy Cat (Produced By Self-Taught Beats)
Although, some don’t regard Plan B as a true grime artist, his two collaborations with Chase & Status are both fantastic tunes. Pieces is an all time classic, combining acoustic elements with aspects of drum and bass/dubstep. His other song, End Credits,has a rougher sound and was recently used in the soundtrack to the Michael Caine-starring Harry Brown.
Chase & Status-End Credits (Feat. Plan B)
Chase and Status feat Plan B-Pieces
Professor Green is from a similar mould to Plan B. His track I Need You Tonight features the INXS track, and reached #3 recently. Before he became known in the mainstream, he released his mixtape the Green EP, the top track from which is his remix of Adele’s Hometown Glory.
Professor Green-I Need You Tonight
There hopefully is a reasonable look at grime. I’m sure I’ve probably missed out some big tracks, but you can give those a play and see what you think of this very British rap form. If you’re a fan, check out 1Xtra, the home of grime.
