Wiley vs Godsgift - Big Clash or Flash Con?

Stormy Weather a brew in the grime underworld.

Wiley was playing on Roll Deep's show a couple of weeks ago, on the spiritual home of grime, Rinse FM. Eskiboy was on the warpath calling for bare MCs, including Godsgift - his boy from day and fellow founding member of Pay As U Go (the crew arguably responsible for the birth of grime MCs). Next thing you know Godsgift run up in the studio with his youngers, Mucky Wolfpack and a confrontation ensued. The beef was taken to the roof, where Wiley then reportedly ended up on the deck getting kicked in. I hear Eskiboy's now banned off Rinse, which is almost unimaginable.

Since then both Wiley and Godsgift, with the help of Logan Sama (lord of the decks at Kiss 100) and Prancehall, have been posting all manner of words online. Follow the links for audio and to read for yourself. Next level (and potentially widespread) clashing is imminent.

What's intriguing is the timing and hype behind it. Is this for real? Its no coincidence that Wiley's Tunnel Vision 4 mixtape has just dropped. And why have they posted so much detail about the incident online? Why has Wiley addressed his own beating so publicly (albeit 'no scratches')? Why would Gift storm Wiley on air? Pure beef or publicity? He must have been aware of the repercussions to the scene, his career and the disrespect shown to Maximum/Rinse FM. Conspiracy theories abound...

As intriguing as the situation is, Im not convinced by the RWD forum doubters. Wiley, Gift and Logan would all be staking their reputations on the biggest publicity stunt (WWE-styles) yet seen in British underground music. And Logan refuses to play the tune on Kiss for fear of other jokers running up in the Kiss studios - which would threaten the whole scene. But Wiley's astuteness cannot be under-estimated.

Big clash or flash con? You decide...

Incidentally, I hear Eskiboy's recorded a 4 track merkage of everyone in the scene. Not only will that be a crazy record, but a long time coming. After all, no MC has ever been called out as much as Wiley.

On a final note, for those who haven't checked Roll Deep's 'Badman'... its heavy! Which is perhaps surprising when you consider that the track was funded by the Met Police & Operation Trident. Braaaps indeed.