'Made A New Tune On My Laptop, Found A New Bass Sound And It's Called Hybrid'

Grindie. A merciless manipulation of grime's elements, creating a Frankensteinein hybrid that mocks and taunts an original, firm fan-base, while in the interim catering for a new audience and the NME as a recent claim to originality and innovation. A view that must have it's own proponents given opinions voiced on the forums.

The problem is, it all seems a little contradictory. Grime, especially a few years ago, consisted of myriad musical influences, resulting in a musical type that had never been heard before or since; a harsh, guttural, and raw style whose breadth, in itself, was staggering while simultaneously suggesting limitless possibilities.

Hadouken! are a band that typify 'grindie', and in the process get lambasted for their use of grimey influences. Why? The situation takes an even more ludicrous turn given the fact that their lead singer, a chap called James as it transpires, was formally known as Dr. Venom, making beats under the True Tiger name.



Grime is an insular culture, which is undoubtedly part of its appeal. However, it has to grow and adapt in order to ensure its health. Aren't artists that use grime as part of their sound paying the highest compliment? Is the hostility that is directed at a band such as Hadouken! indicative of a prevailing narrow-mindedness that holds the scene back?

Just some questions.

Related Posts :