Kano on Westwood video (Grime in 2007)

Its been a strange year in Grime World. Bizzle's got the Indie roads locked, Dizzee's even bigger still, Ghetto began to realise his potential and Doogz returned hotter than ever. However a slew of long-awaited album releases (Skepta, Kano, Dizzee, Tinchy) were contradicted by a general lack of buzz within the scene. Perhaps it was the lack of genuinely exciting youngers (Chipmunk and Devlin aside). Or the derth of big clashes (Ghetto vs Skepta excepted). Or the continuing Wiley saga (signed then quit Big Dada). Or the increasingly Hoxton-centric scene. Or the Dubstep/Bassline invasion. Or Westwood jumping on Grime. Meanwhile the Great White Hope, Lady Sovereign, got signed by Jay Z but proceeded to lose the plot. Whatever the cause... Grime's mojo started slipping in 2007.

Luckily this video of Kano on Westwood serves as a timely reminder of what Grime MCing can be. Hungry, cocky and brimming with confidence, KA's bars are deep and alarmingly original - echoing a peacock flaunting his considerable feathers. After a long tumultuous year the levels have finally been raised. Phew. Bring on 2008...

Grime Update

With all the reviews and interviews flying through TKOver Towers, its hard to find time to write about whats really popping off underground. So here's a few things floating my Grimey boat recently...

• Ghetto set to join Kano at the Jazz Cafe for BBC's momentous Electric Proms on October 27th. The two finest reunite for the first Grime night at this prestigious venue - probably with a full band.
• Wretch 32's 'Punctuation' single. Its pretty special. Clever, witty and skilful, The Movement cohort is raising the levels for MC's right now. Watch out for the blazing remix featuring Scorcher, Shameless and Bashy.
• Skepta's debut album is out now, audaciously named 'Greatest Hits'. Big, big, big.
• Killa blessing Dubplate Drama as an extra in Episode 3. Watch it here. Even though its falling short of Series 1 - ironically, as its now 15mins and 18 episodes longer - its still good to see Shystie and other MC's/Producer's/ getting airtime.
  

Dubplate Drama 2

It was never an easy decision, but after wrestling my demons I decided to sack off Monday morning in a sterile office block to wander the sunny South Bank as an Extra in Channel 4's acclaimed 'Dubplate Drama'.

Normally I avoid TV like Bernard Matthews turkeys but Dubplate Drama is both unique and compelling. Following the tribulations of a female MC (the talented Shystie) as she tries to progress in the murky, male-dominated sphere of Grime, it is the first mainstream TV show to document London's street culture of the youts dem. The music. The raves. The pirates. The clashes. The violence. The gangs. The drugs. Furthermore Series 1 was billed as the world's first interactive drama, with viewers deciding the outcome at the end of each of the 6 episodes (presented by the ever-suave Rodney P).

The job description of an Extra reads something like: wait around, wait around, shout, clap, wait around. The crew filmed scenes in Royal Festival Hall, recreating the by-gone days of the Urban Music Seminar where the industry would descend on the stately building for a weekend of talks, events, workshops, battles etc. Shystie, Hattie Collins (RWD mag editor), Drama (Genius Cru) and Adam Deacon (Kidulthood) were among those at the 'Q&A'.

It wasn't until the end of the day that things started to kick off, with the filming of freestyles on the South Bank (again UMS style). Top boys passing through included Faith SFX, Bashy, Big Narstie, Duppy (N-Dubz), Micall Parkinsun, Kyza Smirnoff, Pesci and, of course, Shystie. Bars got sprayed left, right and centre. Duppy was pure energy, while Narstie pure presence. The eavesdropping tourists dun know what hit them. Watch out for Killz all up in the shots...

The Observer - 2004 Grime article

Stumbled upon this well-informed and beautifully written piece from The Observer in early 2004. It provides a fascinating snapshot of Grime in the golden era, when N.A.S.T.Y. ran the scene and Kano was yet to blow. Aside from the alluringly intense introduction, there are also interviews with D Double and Marcus Nasty... in the Observer?! Next stop, Wall Street Journal.

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/omm/story/0,,1219493,00.html

Grime Stoppers (Time Out article)

Take the time to read this excellent, and revealing, article about the Police's lockdown of Grime events taken from last week's 'Forbidden London' issue of Time Out (essential reading for navigating this city's cultural labyrinth). It investigates the troubles encountered by earnest promoters wishing to put on any event with Grime artists. Faced with police harrasment and a web of red tape imposed by Club Focus - the Met's shady anti-Grime divisions - the article touches upon the influence of cultural prejudice. Although this has long been an issue (e.g. lack of raves, Kano's gig getting locked down, Lethal B still banned), it is heartening to see a well-researched piece that provides evidence of this injustice.

To read the article, save picture then enlarge the view. Or buy Time Out.