The last freestyle from Trilla for the Flush camera coming way back last April. Nine months on and Birmingham's finest multi-genre artist is back. Trilla flows with ease over Funky, Bassline, and of course, Grime. Back with fresh bars below is Trilla's latest freestyle.
It looks like Maxsta is back with a bag of new tracks for our ears. On New Years Day we heard Average Kid, on the 4th we saw the video, and in March we can buy the single. In the meantime Maxsta has also put out another video for Back of Me. Less flash and glam with this one video wise, but still the editing and shooting techniques from Elmino are to a high standard as per usual. Back of Me is a sort of furturistic Electro sound mixed in with Maxsta's Grimy techinque. There's no real genre box to tick with this one.
Usually Link-Up TV release the freestyle from the artist before the interview, but the roles have been reversed when Devlin hit the studio. During the interview Dagenham's Devlin talks about his forthcoming Bud, Sweat and Beers mini-tour, how he met Yasmin, plus his forthcoming plans for 2011. Buy tickets for Devlin's tour here, plus get the album on your iPods here. If you've got a spare moment, don't forgot to read the review I done for the MTV Wrap Up site here.
Just like Fuda Guy and Little Dee before him, plus Random Impulse with his refix, Lee Brasco has decided to spit over Wretch 32's Traktor beat. As well as Skepta's Mike Lowery, this is another bandwagon beat of the new year. But saying that, Lee Brasco does put together a good few bars and flows well throughout. Download here.
At the start of every year many claim for it to be their year, as tomorrow is Febuary, this talk should all be dead and buried by then. One artist who could back that talk though is young Grime artist Stelf. Mid-December Stelf put out the free mixtape entitled Shake My Head. Features included Big Shizz and S-H, plus the two names included here on Hungry. The trio of Stelf, Shrimpoz and Lil Nasty vocalled a beat by ZDot, and via Elmino, here's the hood video for it. Download Shake My Head by Stelf here.
BBK's Skepta took a trip from North London to West London for a Live Lounge session with Jo Whiley. Performing his verses from his collab with N-Dubz - So Alive, Skepta also performed his single Rescue Me. This is a massive look for Skepta who finished his session off with a cover of Kanye West's track All Of The Lights.
Another example of the mainstream showing interest in Skepta and Grime itself being Skepta's mini-documentary. Channel 4 caught up with the former Merdian crew member for a twelve minute episode of who Skepta is, who's in Boy Better Know plus his tattoo's. Watch it back on 4OD here. Doin' It Again is out now via iTunes.
This Sunday as usual we've got a new 100 Bags freestyle. But suprisingly, it's not someone from the Stay Fresh camp. Midlands based artist and OGz affiliate Stormer is the latest to put pen to paper and vocal S-X's 100 Bags instrumental. We haven't heard anything from Stormer in a while now, so it's good to hear some fresh material from him. This week Aaron Hudson delt with the visual side of things regarding the video, not S-X.
Many have vocalled Skepta's beat, but I don't think we've had one single video yet bar Skepta's of course. Grime legends in their own rights, Tim & Barry shot a different video for this Mike Lowery freestyle. Driving from town to town to link up with first Jammer, then Diesle (where his freestyle was also shot), then finally Fumin. The trio weren't miming their lyrics either, it was all spat and re-recorded for the video.
Since making Pow 2011, Lethal Bizzle seems to coming back with Grimy bars and hooks. After working with Ghetts a couple of months back for Ease Off, Fire Camp are back alongside Teeza on the production side of things. Fast flowing MC from West London Scrufizzer makes a feature with Birmingham's Lady Leshurr showcasing her lyrical talent too. The instrumental is entitled Bounce by Teeza.
Scrufizzer also done his version of Busta Rhymes Break Ya Neck today too.
A couple of days back we heard Little's spit over the Mike Lowery beat, now Little Dee has decided to jump on Wretch's latest single. It's no secret that the OGz frontman has increased his levels of spitting dramatically over the past year, but this isn't as good as his recent Mike Lowery freestyle for me. That track was on another level...
It's good to see Grime raves or Grime bookings in and around the UK, but it's even better when Grime artists/producers/DJ's get book abroad. The Grime legend producer that is Terror Danjah was recently over in Canada for the Igloofest 2011. Whilst there Terror sat down for an interview to discuss how he's bringing back R&G (Rhythm & Grime), future releases and Dubstep.
Despite being in the Grime scene for many years now, M.I.K is only just getting around to releasing his first single. Avaliable from the 1st March will be M.I's debut single Do It. As well as the original track, on the four track release there will also be remixes by Khan, South London's SNK, and a Dubstep remix from the duo known as Fused Forces. Do It will be avaliable via Amazon.
M.I.K also released a new track the other day entitled Snow Leopard over S-X's Bricks instrumental Listen below.
The trio of blogger Hyperfrank, clothing brand Boxfresh and Roundhouse studio have all linked up to bring us Volume Control. Over the past month readers of Hyperfrank.co.uk have been voting for what instrumental they'd like former OGz and Hoodstars crew member Dot Rotten to vocal. The winning beat was produced by the Nottingham duo of Beat Geeks and called Nightmare. Dot vocalled the beat, re-named it Thunder and below is how the day went down alongside the audio. Apparently "this may be the last grime track for a while to be released from him..."
Although he has the same name as the Manchester crew that features Wrigley, he's nothing to do with them. Birmingham's C4 is the latest talent to jump infront of the Despa's camera of Stay Fresh. C4 vocals the Zamunda beat produced by Complex Simplicity. Some of you may recognise the beat as another Birmingham MC has also spat over it. Roxxxan during her Fire In The Booth freestyle for Charlie Sloth's show. Check out C4's efforts below.
Frisco kicked off series two, then Essex based artist Dream Mclean followed with the second of the series. The latest freestyle comes from Grime scene veteran Diesle. He can mix, produce and spit, and the latter is what he's doing today. Spitting over a fresh Teddy beat, here's Diesle's freestyle from Tim & Barry...
Performing his top five hit Traktor, Wretch 32 was at the Sunday Show last weekend. From the crowd's reaction and singing along, it's no wonder why the single did so well. Chipmunk accompanied Wretch on stage but didn't perform that night. Afterward Wretch, Chip and Fem Fel all sat down for an interview regarding Wretch's sucess and mainstream music. Chipmunk infact makes a couple of good points...
Like many Grime fans, Big Narstie is fed up with the glits and glam of the mainstream. Big Narstie has brough his music back down to Earth recently. Big Narstie combines his real talk lyrics such as not being able to get a job, having no money or hope with comical lyrics and slang. "I ain't spitting no fly boy shit, time for a resession, it's hard". Check out his latest freestyle below and download the Pain Therapy EPhere.
Throughout last year we heard a new Doller track pratically every week. Various videos including Back of the Bike were shot too to keep up an appearance. Moving on into 2011 and Da Dustman hasn't slowed down. For those who still aren't too clear on what he can do or who he is, here's an example. Check out the interview below followed by a freestyle from Doller Da Dustman.
Even though a lot of Grime lyrics involve guns and shanks, let's face it, not many of those MC's actually do what they spit in their bars. Eliza set up the Lives not Knives campaign at the young age of fourteen and since then it has grown dramatically. Eliza recruited the Grime crew Roll Deep and set up a performance from the crew mainly hailing from around East London. Catch the full performance this Sunday on T4 at 7:55am.
With all the love and praise you can get from doing well, there's always going to be a few people who don't like you for it. Some say the odd indirect, others won't shut up about it, Lee Brasco calls them Full Time Haters. Rather than simply upload the track to YouTube, Lee pulled out his camera and made a quick video whilst cruising around in his car for the track. More Hip-Hop than Grime this one.
Since the days of Don't Let The Name Trick You, Lewisham's Little Dee has come on heaps and bounds. One time part of Roll Deep, now you'll catch him with the rest of the OGz in South London. Little Dee is the latest artist to spit over Skepta's Mike Lowery beat, and it's easily one of the best. Since Dee has started playing around with Rap, he's been one of the best out there...
Also check his Take Over Remix with Femii, Filly and Lionart.
Probably one of the only times you'll hear Vertex without Shocka and Double S. Vertex who's a member of the Marvell trio North London collective recently linked up Context MC. The duo wrote about everyone who doubts with their lyrical skills. Off With Their Heads is the third single off Context' The Cadmean Victory EP. You'll be able to pick up this track via Bandcamp in Febuary. So bookmark thispage until then.
We keep hearing more and more of Durrty Goodz, and it's not a bad thing. Logan span a new track by Doogz on Tuesday morning entitled What's My Name? Plus the Kiss 100 DJ also played Oi, What You Looking At? too. Crazy T's half brother brings new bars to the table, plus let's us know about his forthcoming album Overall. Yep, it's been pushed back...
Another week, another booking. After tearing up Cambridge last week P Money hit the Midlands for his latest show. This time it was the town of Derby that got the royal OGz treatment. P performed Come Follow Me (his Sweet Shop vocal), Ho Riddim! plus spat over various Dubstep beats too.
There's been a rise of Midlands based artists cropping up in the scene in 2010. Not to say they're new to the game, just the Midlands Grime scene got a good bit of limelight last year. Holding it up for the South Midlands though is Wariko. The Nottingham based artist sees himself more as a double-time poet. Press Play Entertainment caught up with him recently for an interview and a quick freestyle.
As everyone is now skint after Christmas, I thought I'd slash the prices of the clothing for you guys. T-shirts are down from £12.99 to £9.50 and jumpers from £22.99 to £17.50. There's very limited stock left and once all the sale stock is gone they'll be back up to full price again, so you better act quick! Buy your garments via our BigCartel page here.
Described as a "Grimy Dubstep track", we've got a brand new track from OGz crew member Jendor. This clip just short of two minute features Mimi Bohemee on the hook. Light In The Dark is literally a quite dark and eary track. The video will be released next month.
One of the biggest artists in the UK music scene at the moment Tinie Tempah was recently interviewed by ThisIs50.com. Tinie has spent a lot of time in the US promoting himself, especially alongside DJ Whoo Kid. Tinie Tempah jumped infront of the camera's to talk about how So Solid Crew inspired him, what he bought with his first big money pay-cheque, plus what genre his music falls under.
Kicking off the Silver Rally with a bang thanks to P Money. Flush Music have put together a strong line up for seven artists from mainly the Midlands to jump on. OGz P Money opens the track spitting about his reload bars before Stay Fresh' Macca follows. The rally also features Bomma, another OGz member from Birmingham - Stormer, plus Sony, Tornado and MB.
Mike Skinner has never been a Grime MC, more Garage than anything. But with that in mind he has collaborated with the likes of Kano, Dizzee Rascal and various members of Roll Deep over the years. With his last album under two weeks away Mike Skinner decided to put out a free mixtape too. You'd think it would be full of whatever didn't make the Computers and Blues cut, but it isn't. The Brummie turned Cockney hit the studio with some of the finest established names in Grime, plus a few up-and-comers too. Wiley and Ice Kid both feature on Don't Hide Away alongside Rinse. You'll also hear the vocals of Roxxxan plus Trim and Scrufizzer throughout the mixtape. Simply put, too good to give away as a free download. Hit the jump for the tracklisting and download here.
All the promotion of Traktor paid off yesterday, and this was the moment Reggie Yates told Wretch 32. Everything from performing at I Luv Live to his acoustic version with SB.TV helped pushed Wretch into the top 5. Wretch was at the BBC Radio 1 studios to count down the official charts and below is how the day went.
Tour diaries are standard things nowadays. Tinie did one, Pro Green is currently still uploading his, and Devlin isn't one to miss out. With Skepta touring soon, expect to see the odd one from him too. Over the past few weeks all the behind the scenes business from his T4 interview to spitting a freestyle outside the studio, plus how Devlin and Dogzilla celebrated the new year.
The latest installment of #RiddimKiller comes via the mouth of Stay Fresh representor Macca. Alongside StreetsOnDemand (which I will help with in future), DespaCam showcases the talent one of the best in Wolverhampton. Macca brings us fresh lyrics as well as remixing a couple of old ones too.
Having already produced for the likes of Big H, Rival and Devlin's crew Outakers, J Beatz has returned with a new EP for release. The five track Android EP three instrumentals, one vocal from 9 Milli Major (Rude Boy Ting), plus a collaboration beat between J himself and Mr Mitch. The Android EP is set to be released between mid and late Febuary via Subdepth Hollow Records. Hit the jump for the tracklisting, download the showreel here.
Whenever Kids of Grime go to do a photoshoot, Verena now also takes along her video camera to capature a freestyle or interview too. Kids of Grime caught some of the best up-and-coming talent on her camera including Big Shizz, Stelf, Maxsta and Shrimpoz, plus the Essex bunch known as the Regime aka Dream Mclean, Siris and S.Samuel. The freestyles aren't over any beat, all acapella.
P Money put a lot of work in during 2010, and he's not slowing down in 2011 either. During a recent interview DJ Logan Sama stated that P recently put money down on a house, so that shows you his work-rate, plus kills off the "there's no money in Grime" quote too. His most recent booking being in the university town of Cambridge. Cameraman Sketch was there to catch the footage of the night.
Made in the same way as he use to with his old beats, Mike Skinner is back alongside Kano. UKG Odyssey has been lifted from the mixtape Cyberspace and Reds. That's the same mixtape that contains a feature from Trim. The track has that old school Garage feel to it slightly, but then again like most tracks nowadays, you can hear that bandwagon Dubstep feature during the track too. Computers and Blues the album is out on 7th Febuary, pre-order here. Download UKG Odysseyhere.
Back in October last year whilst on the MOBO's tour Skepta performed an unheard song before. Amnesia is about going out on a night out then waking up the next morning and not remembering the night before. It's not very Grimy as you could of guessed, but it's certainly a track many will be able to relate to. With that it's going to generate a few sales and a huge number of YouTube hits. Skepta knows exactly what target audiance he's going for with this track. Pre-order Doin' It Again here.
In 2010 uStream became the next best thing. Anyone with a webcam could host a session and everyone could chat to that person via a chat box. Everyone from Wiley (being the most infamous in Grime to use it) to Kozzie have used the service. Jammer and Diesle have been working together a lot recently, and this time around they've brought in Roll Deep's J2K on the hook plus Jammin too for a feature.
Hydro's been running with cool kids since coming off his Butlins tour last year, and now alongside Quason Matthews as per usual, he's shot a little video for Cool Kids Run the World. It won't be to everyone's taste, but if your a fan of Hydro, and like Cam'Ron - Hey Ma, this is Hyrdo's version of the track basically. Don't forgot the OTT mixtape is still up for free download here.
As we said last Sunday, here's the latest 100 Bags freestyle. Once again the video being filmed and edited by S-X, as well as the beat being produced by the same guy. This week we've got another Stay Fresh member vocalling the beat, Movez. Fresh off the back of releasing the Best of Movez 2010, here's his version over the popular beat.
Keeping with the original style and flow as Rapid did, Lee Braso jumps on Rapid's beat to give us his version of Go Rapid. Rightly re-named Go Brasco and representing Bow E3, Lee Brasco brings the hype and proves why he has such a loyal fanbase. Probably one of the most under-rated in the Grime scene. Hopefully we'll get a new fresh mixtape from him this year. Download Go Brasco here.
Having worked with the likes of JME, Wiley and Trim, the duo known as Balistiq Beats have a forthcoming release set to be put out under Dusk + Blackdown's label Keysound Recordings. The Yardman EP will be out at the end of Febuary and has features from Riko, Badness, Jamakabi & Killa P. Dusk + Blackdown done a little interview with the duo too:
Blackdown: What do you think about the state of the grime scene in 2010? Where should it go in 2011?
Ryan Balistiq: I think Grime is our hip hop and that its evolving great - Grime artists are branching out and doing their own thing and the sound of Grime is changing - finally starting to hear some more musical elements in it now. It should carry on into 2011 by building an industry, same way hip hop made a huge business out of the scene. Its happening, we got bloggers (Teamsupreme, LondonToMk, Once Upon a Grime etc), video coverage (shouts to Jamal!), radio... it's all the things around the music that make the scene and that's whats happening, slowly. People gotta realise its more than just a genre, it's our culture which isn't bound by a BPM! Grime is just a name but its the same for Dubstep, DnB all of that - its all ours.
Catch the rest of the interview here, and check the track below.
Since leaving his job as a bus driver behind, it's been onwards and upwards for North-Weezie's Bashy. Despite controversial tracks such as Black Boys, Bashy is now performing worldwide, and recently in money-rich Dubai. But Bish Bash Bosh has sadly taken a likening to sampling former hits. His previous two tracks Fantasy and Make My Day both showcasing this.
We've heard P Money spit over Rap before, but despite being on a Rap track, he doesn't this time. For some reason P was on the hook for All Out whilst Blacks showcased his skills over the genre. If you're not the greatest fan of Rap, don't worry, this track isn't half bad regardless. It would have been nice for P Money to drop a verse on the track though instead of just the hook.
The duo performed Wonderman live a few days back at the Brits warm-up party, but as of today we've got the official video. With past hits such as Pass Out and Frisky, I can't see this hitting the same sorts of heights or getting the same sort of hype either. It's not a club smash, it's a radio song. The video is based around an old American styled film, not the best video either...
Not one to box himself into one single genre, as well as spitting over Grime, REC can also spit over Hip-Hop too. Damage jumps on the feature for Daylight Murder. The duo aren't spitting random hype bars like many do in Grime, it's a more relaxed vibe with a bit of story telling behind the bars.
It looks like there's a bit of a wave going around with certain beats at the moment. The whole of the Grime scene are freestyling over the Mike Lowery beat, but things are being done differently in the Midlands. Whilst the whole of Stay Fresh plus Merky Ace have/will vocal S-X's 100 Bags beat, Flush have brought us the Managers Riddim. A few members of Stay Fresh including Macca and Moves spat over the beat whilst in the studio as well as P Money, Stormer and Pressure.
Last week Bow's Tinchy Stryder was sitting on the T4 sofa, this week it's Dagenham's Devlin. With all the dates set for his tour and his new single with Labrinth out in two days, Devz is keeping up the appearances. Devlin talks about working with Labrinth, who he thinks will establish their name in 2011, plus a does a few kick-ups too.
The second Mike Lowery freestyle of the day comes from Roll Deep's Manga. The Grime artist hailing from North-West London despite topping the charts still comes back with Grimy tracks. The Grime veteren jumped on the Skepta production and gave it his own twist. Better yet, he's put it up for free download too. Download Manga's Mike Lowery freestylehere.
