The UK Grime Scene Thread

[SK]

Basically this is a thread to discuss the UK grime scene, it is a bit like UK hip-hop, but has a different style, different beats, but similar lyrical content. Notable artisis inclue, Wiley, Skepta, Dizzee Rascal, TInchy Stryder etc. I can appreciate that you might not have heard a lot of grime music, and a lot of it isnt very good, but there are some gems and it's a topic I know a lot about. It started as an underground scene, but recently, is becoming moremainstream, with artists like; Dizzee Rascal, Wiley, N-Dubz, Tinchy Stryder scoring high in the charts.

I doubt a lot of people know a lot about the grime scene, but i'll be happy to answer any questions or suggest albums/ songs to listen to.
Anyway to kick off this thread i'll ask a few questions...

Have/ do you listen to grime music?

Who's you favourite grime artist?

What's you favourite grime album/ song?

What would you like to know about grime music?

 

[Leeds Guy]

A lot of it isn't very good? Its all not very good. Seriously with everything thats gone mainstream over the years this one will be the one I dispise most. This music is what the Chav's of England listen to. Add this shite to everything else over the years and its fair to say that music is dead. I think the 80's were the last decent music period in England.

Having said that All Around The World record label have control of N-Dubz so they won't be here for too long as everybody turns against anybody AATW signs (Its happened with Darren Styles,Manian,Ultrabeat Etc). Tinchy Stryder will be there for 3 maybe 4 releases before he will be forgotten about, Dizzie Rascal only got to No1 because he cashed in on the Electro scene and Wiley did 1 maybe 2 songs one of them about a watch before he disappeared and again they were Electro baselines.

So basically its awful music that awful people (Ergo Chavs) like. Now I know that I have just basically bad mouthed the music you like here but you have to understand I grew up in a family that listened to good music, I grew up listening to the Beatles,T-Rex,Slade,Michael Jackson,Maiden,Motorhead so when I compare this music to your music it just doesn't compete. Sorry to have probably offended you but its just the way I feel about the music scene today.

 

[SK]

A lot of it isn't very good? Its all not very good. Seriously with everything thats gone mainstream over the years this one will be the one I dispise most. This music is what the Chav's of England listen to. Add this shite to everything else over the years and its fair to say that music is dead. I think the 80's were the last decent music period in England.

Woah woah, your making a lot of sweeping generalisations here, i'll be the first to admitt that the majority of grime is garbage, but to say ALL of it is bad, well thats just not true, and chart performances alone prove that. True, a lot of chavs listen to it, and the majority of them are idiots, who only like it because it involves young black people from London.However, other people like grime, I'm not a chav and I enjoy grime, look at Chris Martin, he supports grime and you wouldn't call him a chav would you? But I do agree that music is becoming progressively worse, and it seems that most artists are only interested in the money.

Having said that All Around The World record label have control of N-Dubz so they won't be here for too long as everybody turns against anybody AATW signs (Its happened with Darren Styles,Manian,Ultrabeat Etc). Tinchy Stryder will be there for 3 maybe 4 releases before he will be forgotten about, Dizzie Rascal only got to No1 because he cashed in on the Electro scene and Wiley did 1 maybe 2 songs one of them about a watch before he disappeared and again they were Electro baselines.

N-Dubz are a horrible group and I only listed them because, well they're better known than other grime artists, but they really don't make 'grime' music, as much as they make music that they think will do well in the charts, e.g. strong again. Tinchy Stryder will hopefully be someone that makes some commercial tracks, but stays true to his roots and will find some success. I disagree with your Dizzee statement, because before he started making electro tunes (Bonkers and Holiday) his first album, which was purely grime, got critical acclaim and even got to #23 in the album charts and he even got a Mercury award for it. Also songs like; Jus a Rascal, Fix Up Look Sharp, I Luv U, Stand Up Tall, were liked in the mainstream and they weren't electro songs. Also Wiley hasn't dissapeared he's just released an album and has stated that he wants to move away from all of the house and electro mainstream music.

So basically its awful music that awful people (Ergo Chavs) like. Now I know that I have just basically bad mouthed the music you like here but you have to understand I grew up in a family that listened to good music, I grew up listening to the Beatles,T-Rex,Slade,Michael Jackson,Maiden,Motorhead so when I compare this music to your music it just doesn't compete. Sorry to have probably offended you but its just the way I feel about the music scene today.

I think your being too general again by saying that one type of music is for one type of person. Don't get me wrong I like grime, but I too was brought up on good music and I like all music, like literally any genre, I was brought up on Bob Marley, Johnny Cash, Bruce Springsteen, Biggiw, Led Zepplin by my parents, so I have learnt to appreciate all types of music and I don't just specifically like grime, and even I agree that grime doesn't compare to the names listed, but it still doesn't stop you from enjoying it. And you haven't offended me, I enjoy debating about music, but I just think you generalise and stereotype too much.

 

[THE Madcap]

Have/ do you listen to grime music?

yes.

Who's you favourite grime artist?

JME followed by Kano, Ghetts, Wiley and Wretch. Sometimes Skepta and Frisco

What's you favourite grime album/ song?

My favourite grime album is probably 140 Grime St, but probably only because it's fresh in my mind and it was good to see Kano go back to what he knows best. I also greatly enjoyed JME's Famous, Wiley's Race Against Time and Wretch 32's Wretchrospective.

My favourite grime song right now is probably either Ghetto/Show Activity or Hummer Activity on Danny Weed's Activity riddim.

I think there should be a mention for Awoh, Deadout & Jujuman by JME

You a fan of Dubstep Skeptikal? this is a genre I'd like to get into more

 

[Leeds Guy]

Woah woah, your making a lot of sweeping generalisations here, i'll be the first to admitt that the majority of grime is garbage, but to say ALL of it is bad, well thats just not true, and chart performances alone prove that. True, a lot of chavs listen to it, and the majority of them are idiots, who only like it because it involves young black people from London.However, other people like grime, I'm not a chav and I enjoy grime, look at Chris Martin, he supports grime and you wouldn't call him a chav would you? But I do agree that music is becoming progressively worse, and it seems that most artists are only interested in the money.

Fair enough man I can respect that you realise that most of it isn't good but support what you like which at the end of the day thats what music is about. I also didn't realise Chris Martin supports grime. Having said that it doesn't change my opinion of the music. I find it plain awful but I have only stuff from artists that you have mentioned here. I listen to UK Hardcore which is Chav based music and I agree most of them are Idiots however I am not a chav so I retract my statement and should have prepared my response better instead of just generalising.

N-Dubz are a horrible group and I only listed them because, well they're better known than other grime artists, but they really don't make 'grime' music, as much as they make music that they think will do well in the charts, e.g. strong again.

There first release (I think) was Ouch which invloved the lead guy in a stupid hat rapping and the girl doing stupid movements with her arms and I thought to myself ''what the fuck is this shit'' but I see what you are saying Strong Again was more...Dancey. It focused less on the stupid hat guy and more on the woman who should be the face of them because she is gorgeous.I'm not sure about the one they did with Tinchy Stryder as I did not listen to it.

Tinchy Stryder will hopefully be someone that makes some commercial tracks, but stays true to his roots and will find some success. I disagree with your Dizzee statement, because before he started making electro tunes (Bonkers and Holiday) his first album, which was purely grime, got critical acclaim and even got to #23 in the album charts and he even got a Mercury award for it. Also songs like; Jus a Rascal, Fix Up Look Sharp, I Luv U, Stand Up Tall, were liked in the mainstream and they weren't electro songs. Also Wiley hasn't dissapeared he's just released an album and has stated that he wants to move away from all of the house and electro mainstream music.

Like I say I dont think Tinchy Stryder will be around for long it happened with Taio Cruz he came did one song with that fitty from Bodyrox and then tried another song but couldn't replicate that sucess and so far has been never heard from again, I'm sure he will be back. My point is now that Stryder has had sucess he won't top it and just fade into obscurity. I'm always a firm believer that Underground music should stay underground. I'm sure you will agree. For example Darren Styles is a big Uk Hardcore DJ but when he started releasing the shitty clubland songs you can tell he did that for the money and it gave Hardcore a bad name. I'm pretty sure you will look at artists like Stryder and N-dubz and think they have sold out.

I think your being too general again by saying that one type of music is for one type of person. Don't get me wrong I like grime, but I too was brought up on good music and I like all music, like literally any genre, I was brought up on Bob Marley, Johnny Cash, Bruce Springsteen, Biggiw, Led Zepplin by my parents, so I have learnt to appreciate all types of music and I don't just specifically like grime, and even I agree that grime doesn't compare to the names listed, but it still doesn't stop you from enjoying it. And you haven't offended me, I enjoy debating about music, but I just think you generalise and stereotype too much.

Agreed I am a fan of most music, from metal through pop metal to pop to trance and UK Hardcore, One minute I'll listen to Johnny Cash the next Ferry Corsten, you enjoy what you enjoy. It's just to me the grime that I have heard is horrid so it makes me think that the Grime coming through will be just as bad or worse.

 

[SK]

yes. JME followed by Kano, Ghetts, Wiley and Wretch. Sometimes Skepta and Frisco

All very good MC's, I like JME, he's very different and doesn't take himself too seriously which is good. I agree with the other 4 and I think Wretch is not given the credit he deserves. People in the grime scene say he's too hip-hop and trying to be mainstream, but I don't agree, he's easily one of the most talented MC's.

My favourite grime album is probably 140 Grime St, but probably only because it's fresh in my mind and it was good to see Kano go back to what he knows best. I also greatly enjoyed JME's Famous, Wiley's Race Against Time and Wretch 32's Wretchrospective.

Again, good picks, 140 grime st was nice from Kano because that album was more grime compared to London Town and Mc No.1 which were both very poor. However, I don't think he'll ever recreate Home Sweet Home, which is possibly my favourite grime album.

You a fan of Dubstep Skeptikal? this is a genre I'd like to get into more

I wouldn't call myself a huge fan of Dubstep but I do listen to it, it's good but gets a bit repetitive. If you haven't already you should listen to SKream, as he's really the leading dubstep artist nowadays. Also Benga and Coki tracks are always decent.

Anyway a few questions for you, if you've listened to them, what did you think of Wileys race against time and Skepta's microphone champion albums? Also, if you had to pick one MC, who do you think is the most likely to achieve mainstream success (apart form Dizzee)?

 

[SK]

Fair enough man I can respect that you realise that most of it isn't good but support what you like which at the end of the day thats what music is about. I also didn't realise Chris Martin supports grime. Having said that it doesn't change my opinion of the music. I find it plain awful but I have only stuff from artists that you have mentioned here. I listen to UK Hardcore which is Chav based music and I agree most of them are Idiots however I am not a chav so I retract my statement and should have prepared my response better instead of just generalising.

That's fair enough, I respect everyones opinon about music, because they are all different, and you enjoy what you enjoy. I ahte to agree that its these idiot chavs who ruin both the Hardcore and Grime scenes and make them look bad, which is a shame, because both are looked down on because of it.

There first release (I think) was Ouch which invloved the lead guy in a stupid hat rapping and the girl doing stupid movements with her arms and I thought to myself ''what the fuck is this shit'' but I see what you are saying Strong Again was more...Dancey. It focused less on the stupid hat guy and more on the woman who should be the face of them because she is gorgeous.I'm not sure about the one they did with Tinchy Stryder as I did not listen to it.

Yeah, that was it, Ouch. With Dappy rapping(that lead guy, who I DESPISE, with his shit hat and na na nai shit). But really N-Dubz shouldn't be classed as grime artists, as they are more like RnB, and make the grime scene look stupid. But if you were going to give grime a chance, it would be unfair to base your opinion of it on N-Dubz.

Like I say I dont think Tinchy Stryder will be around for long it happened with Taio Cruz he came did one song with that fitty from Bodyrox and then tried another song but couldn't replicate that sucess and so far has been never heard from again, I'm sure he will be back. My point is now that Stryder has had sucess he won't top it and just fade into obscurity. I'm always a firm believer that Underground music should stay underground. I'm sure you will agree. For example Darren Styles is a big Uk Hardcore DJ but when he started releasing the shitty clubland songs you can tell he did that for the money and it gave Hardcore a bad name. I'm pretty sure you will look at artists like Stryder and N-dubz and think they have sold out.

Actually Stryder did get more success with Number 1 with N-Dubz, which ironically got to number 1 in the charts. But you never know, like you said, people do sell out and then are'nt respected as much, like you said Darren Styles (my mate feels exactly the same as you on that one, as he is a huge fan of UK hardcore).

I totally agree with the bolded part, and when underground music does come out of the underground, it completely changes, gains idiotic fans and loses it's original fanbase. Also, of what I know about Styles (which isn't too much) I will agree. I also agree that N-Dubz have sold out, but the jurys still out on Stryder, we will just have to wait untill his next album comes out.

Agreed I am a fan of most music, from metal through pop metal to pop to trance and UK Hardcore, One minute I'll listen to Johnny Cash the next Ferry Corsten, you enjoy what you enjoy. It's just to me the grime that I have heard is horrid so it makes me think that the Grime coming through will be just as bad or worse.

I agree, we can't all like the same things and if you don't enjoy it, that's fine by me.

 

[THE Madcap]

All very good MC's, I like JME, he's very different and doesn't take himself too seriously which is good. I agree with the other 4 and I think Wretch is not given the credit he deserves. People in the grime scene say he's too hip-hop and trying to be mainstream, but I don't agree, he's easily one of the most talented MC's.

Yeah I'm a big fan of JME because of that reason, he's not afraid to make his music lighthearted and shows that grime doesn't always have to be negative. I guess that could be said for BBK as well. He also supports the fight against gun and knife crime in the UK. I met JME after a gig in Notts and he was a very cool guy, had a good chat with him for about half an hour about random shit, ended up getting his number too which was weird, but mainly cos his sister wanted to go to my uni...long story. My cousing also plays against him on COD on Xbox live a lot...

Wretch definitely doesnt get his due credit. I would say there are a lot more artists who are trying to be mainstream before him.

I wouldn't call myself a huge fan of Dubstep but I do listen to it, it's good but gets a bit repetitive. If you haven't already you should listen to SKream, as he's really the leading dubstep artist nowadays. Also Benga and Coki tracks are always decent.

Me either, but I went to some all day festival/rave thing last night and there was a lot of dubstep and I enjoyed it. I'm quite friendly with Tomb Crew so they're probably an influence on me for that genre. Currently scouring Youtube for a dubstep track i heard last night, which I guess must be pretty poplular because I've heard it quite a lot. Skream's had some great tracks though.

Anyway a few questions for you, if you've listened to them, what did you think of Wileys race against time and Skepta's microphone champion albums? Also, if you had to pick one MC, who do you think is the most likely to achieve mainstream success (apart form Dizzee)?

I love Race Against Time. I bought Catch Me if You Can, Microphone Champion and Donaeo's Party Hard all at the same time and I would say Race Against Time is the best of that lot. Literally jumped out of my seat on the train when I heard Hummer Activity on that album because I'd only ever heard Wiley freestyle it on the Westwood show.

Microphone champion, for me didn't live up to the hype and I preferred Rinse 04, only because of its diversity. I'll probably give Microphone champion another go this week though.

Apart from Dizzee, Wiley and Kano, I think JME could be the one to overtake his brother and step into the mainstream, with rumours of a BBK album coming soon, some fresh material could put him in the mainstream and he does have a massive underground following.

 

[SK]

Yeah I'm a big fan of JME because of that reason, he's not afraid to make his music lighthearted and shows that grime doesn't always have to be negative. I guess that could be said for BBK as well. He also supports the fight against gun and knife crime in the UK. I met JME after a gig in Notts and he was a very cool guy, had a good chat with him for about half an hour about random shit, ended up getting his number too which was weird, but mainly cos his sister wanted to go to my uni...long story. My cousing also plays against him on COD on Xbox live a lot...

Couldn't agree more, when grime gets too heavy, with all the clashing and gun talk, it can become depressing to listen to, but JME changes that because he's just having a good time making some positive music. Yeh he is a cool guy I agree I spoke to him at a gig in Manchester once and he seemed up for a laugh, just taking things easy which is good.

Me either, but I went to some all day festival/rave thing last night and there was a lot of dubstep and I enjoyed it. I'm quite friendly with Tomb Crew so they're probably an influence on me for that genre. Currently scouring Youtube for a dubstep track i heard last night, which I guess must be pretty poplular because I've heard it quite a lot. Skream's had some great tracks though.

I find that Dubstep is very good when your drunk/high. But it does get a bit boring to listen to over and over because there isn't a lot of room for difference because its such a simple kind of music, but then again a lot of people would disagree and notice the little differences, but I don't.

I love Race Against Time. I bought Catch Me if You Can, Microphone Champion and Donaeo's Party Hard all at the same time and I would say Race Against Time is the best of that lot. Literally jumped out of my seat on the train when I heard Hummer Activity on that album because I'd only ever heard Wiley freestyle it on the Westwood show.

Race against time is easily the best of that lot, Catch me if you can wasn't very good and was too much like a mixtape, I don't think Bashy will ever really break out of that mixtape artist kind of feeling. And yeh hummer activity goes hard and itsnice to see some Danny Weed beats being used as he's a good grime producer.

Microphone champion, for me didn't live up to the hype and I preferred Rinse 04, only because of its diversity. I'll probably give Microphone champion another go this week though.

I agree, it was a massive let down, Skepta took a step backwards with that album, because Greates Hits was very good. I enjoyed Rinse 04 aswell and is probably better than Mic Champ.

Apart from Dizzee, Wiley and Kano, I think JME could be the one to overtake his brother and step into the mainstream, with rumours of a BBK album coming soon, some fresh material could put him in the mainstream and he does have a massive underground following.

Yeh I heard that rumour, is it the VIP album? Hopefully he could break through, I think between him and Tinchy Stryder, grime will probably have more success in the mainstream.

So Madcap what do you think about N-Dubz? Do you think they make the grime scene look bad? Would you even consider them grime? And do you think Dappy is an annoying little twat?

 

[THE Madcap]

I find that Dubstep is very good when your drunk/high.

Looking around at the people that were at this thing last night, I would say that is very accurate. I think i enjoyed the dubstep last night, mainly because the DJ was wack and couldn't stick to one genre of music for more than 5 mins, went into another room that was purely dubstep and funky house and I had a really good time.

I do agree with your point on it being repetitive, i went to a dubstep night a month or so back and after an hour, I got bored off my tits.

Yeh I heard that rumour, is it the VIP album? Hopefully he could break through, I think between him and Tinchy Stryder, grime will probably have more success in the mainstream.

Not sure what it's called. Think that might be it though. I forgot about Tinchy, he actually has the better chance of the lot to go mainstream.

So Madcap what do you think about N-Dubz? Do you think they make the grime scene look bad? Would you even consider them grime? And do you think Dappy is an annoying little twat?

I can't stand N-Dubz... the girl is hot. that's all I can say about them. BUT I am ashamed to say I have their album because some of their tunes are cachy... Definitely do not consider them to be grime, there's nothing grimey at all about their lyrics or beats and they can't really be taken seriously as artists. Dappy is indeed, an annoying little twat! Na Na Naiiii!

 

[SK]

Looking around at the people that were at this thing last night, I would say that is very accurate. I think i enjoyed the dubstep last night, mainly because the DJ was wack and couldn't stick to one genre of music for more than 5 mins, went into another room that was purely dubstep and funky house and I had a really good time. I do agree with your point on it being repetitive, i went to a dubstep night a month or so back and after an hour, I got bored off my tits.

It sounds good, dubstep can be good to listen to at times, and i'm sure at festival when your wasted its very good.

I can't stand N-Dubz... the girl is hot. that's all I can say about them. BUT I am ashamed to say I have their album because some of their tunes are cachy... Definitely do not consider them to be grime, there's nothing grimey at all about their lyrics or beats and they can't really be taken seriously as artists. Dappy is indeed, an annoying little twat! Na Na Naiiii!

Agreed on all points, I also have their album, cos a few tunes on that are good, but I agree that they can't be considered grime, and get really annoying. And Dappy, don't get me started on that little prick...

 

[THE Madcap]

Just thought I'd let you now SK, went to RinseFM's 15th bday last Friday. It was AMAZING, everything I could have wanted from a night out, funky, grime and dubstep.

Must say, it cemented for me how big BBK are in Grime. Frisco especially was amazing, his flow is so good, but he doesn't go OTT like the others. That said, I predict a So Solid-esque emergence of BBK soon.

 

[SK]

Just thought I'd let you now SK, went to RinseFM's 15th bday last Friday. It was AMAZING, everything I could have wanted from a night out, funky, grime and dubstep.

Must say, it cemented for me how big BBK are in Grime. Frisco especially was amazing, his flow is so good, but he doesn't go OTT like the others. That said, I predict a So Solid-esque emergence of BBK soon.

Madcap! I had a few friends that went, it sounded brilliant! Who else was on the lineup?

BBK are getting very big I have to admit, just hope they don't throw away all they've done for some mainstream pop shit. I'm a big fan of Frisco, apart from peng food, that mixtape was horrible!

Oh and what about that Wiley's where's my brother track? Did we ever find out who it was aimed at?

 

[THE Madcap]

Madcap! I had a few friends that went, it sounded brilliant! Who else was on the lineup?

BBK are getting very big I have to admit, just hope they don't throw away all they've done for some mainstream pop shit. I'm a big fan of Frisco, apart from peng food, that mixtape was horrible!

Oh and what about that Wiley's where's my brother track? Did we ever find out who it was aimed at?

off the top of my head... the lineup was

- Benga
- Skream
- Geeneus
- Crazy Cousinz
- Ms Dynamite
- Spyro
- Caspa
- DJ Zinc
- Boy Better Know (JME, Skepta, Frisco, Maximum, Jammer, Shorty)

pretty much lost my head when BBK were on, they knew exactly how to get the croud going.

Hopefully there will be some sort of CD out to commemorate the event.

Still don't know who Where's my brother is about, I thought it was about Skepta myself...

 

[SK]

off the top of my head... the lineup was

- Benga
- Skream
- Geeneus
- Crazy Cousinz
- Ms Dynamite
- Spyro
- Caspa
- DJ Zinc
- Boy Better Know (JME, Skepta, Frisco, Maximum, Jammer, Shorty)

pretty much lost my head when BBK were on, they knew exactly how to get the croud going.

Hopefully there will be some sort of CD out to commemorate the event.

Still don't know who Where's my brother is about, I thought it was about Skepta myself...

Sounds like a decent enough lineup, how was SKreams stuff? Were people into him?

Yeah I thought it was about Skepta but he said we'd find out in the vid, still no vid though.

Did you get Big H's street crime promo? Always been a fan of his, he's got great delivery, shame his lyrics are about nothing but drugs and guns, needs to offer something else. What do you think of him?

 

[THE Madcap]

I would say that although Skream wasn't the main draw, he got a lot of love. Seeing as he is from Croydon, he is Mr Dubstep.

Been thinking about Where's My Brother again and I've changed my mind, it can't be about Skepta. I think it's about the whole scene gunning for him because he went commercial, and how he can go and come back and still be on top. The "Where's my brother" bit refers to Dizzee as in I've gone commercial, he's gone commercial, but I'm still on top of grime, where is he?

Not heard Big H's street crime promo, mainly because I haven't listened to Grime for a little big, due to my new found fascination with dubstep. think I might lock into Westwood tonight on iPlayer though.

 

[SK]

I would say that although Skream wasn't the main draw, he got a lot of love. Seeing as he is from Croydon, he is Mr Dubstep.

Been thinking about Where's My Brother again and I've changed my mind, it can't be about Skepta. I think it's about the whole scene gunning for him because he went commercial, and how he can go and come back and still be on top. The "Where's my brother" bit refers to Dizzee as in I've gone commercial, he's gone commercial, but I'm still on top of grime, where is he?

Not heard Big H's street crime promo, mainly because I haven't listened to Grime for a little big, due to my new found fascination with dubstep. think I might lock into Westwood tonight on iPlayer though.

Good to hear he's getting some love i'm a big fan.

Yeah, you wouldn't think he'd go for Skepta with them being close, but theres was the line 'look around, I can't see cannabis' bearing in mind Skepta had just dissed him on radio for smoking before performing, but I don't know. Probably aimed at a mix of different people; Dizzee, Skepta, Durrty Goodz.

There's only 6 tracks on it, decent enough though, similar flow as he's always had.

What are you expecting from Tinchy & Dizzee's new albums?