Wiley Interview with Ras Kwame

Ras Kwame proved the solitary soldier early on Sunday and, with an hour's less sleep, he bossed the airwaves in fair fashion given the circumstances. He probably woke up a little bit more when Wiley decided to turn up out of the blue.

Wiley Interview With Ras Kwame


Listen on iPlayer for better quality sound from about an hour and eight minutes. There's a very brief a capella, a track called Untrustworthy, and another song produced by Y.Wizz.

Given the Sunday surprise, a bit was said about Wiley's unreliability, and how he's "gotta try and get rid of that stigma." The conversation swiftly turned to music proper, and apparently Wiley has made a hit in the "last two days". Tinchy Stryder has confirmed it by lacing the track with his vocals already. Will was listening to it this morning laughing which, as well as being a hilarious image, could mean grime artists in the top 10 (again) sharpish.

I'm not going to comb over everything that was said but Wearing My Rolex, and the consequent stacks of Nike shoe-boxes full of money and a 'See Clear Now' detour, has given him the freedom to make the album the way he wants.

"You can expect to hear an album that I went to studio and enjoyed making number one... basically, I didn't have no-one in my ear, I done what I wanted to do, which I'm happy about. I spent my own money, and I'm happy bruv."

Ghetts said on Logan Sama's show a few weeks back that, wherever Sing 4 Me charted, he still benefited from the experiece, and he'll still be bigger than he would have been before the process.

Wearing My Rolex and Sing 4 Me have had better receptions than Chip Diddy Chip, but charting at Number 21 means Alwayz Recordings have a stash of cash that can be invested in other MCs on its label. Dirtee Stank has wonga after Dance Wiv Me, and the Newham Generals have musical support as well as added financial clout behind them as a result.

Commercial-focused tracks may result in turning the radio down, but it's outweighed by some much-needed cash coming into the scene and hopefully resultant stability from a firmer infrastructure, especially regarding labels.

Still, I wouldn't mind seeing Wiley and Tinchy charting high together. It would be like the good old days. Well a bit different actually. But the mentor and the pupil, originals, penning hits years down the line is special, isn't it?

Ghetts - Came In The Game

It's been a while.

Well, a bit longer than I would have liked really. As a result, I feel a bit sheepish in crawling back to the blogosphere so it's quick ones today.

Ghetts went to Maida Vale, courtesy of the BBC, and performed an exclusive track. Ras was waiting and with the camera rolling pronounced, just in case there was any doubt, that we're in the 'presence of greatness'. I strained to see whether Nelson Mandela had hobbled in through the backdoor, or if Mother Teresa was sitting all reflective in the corner of the studio, but no sign. I can only commend Ras's enthusiasm.

I can join him really, because I really like this track.

Ghetts - Came In The Game


To Ghetts' credit he didn't get too excited, and refrained from referring to himself as, erm, 'the Champion' for instance. For one thing, it would have been highly unoriginal given Skepta's liberal use of the c-word last week on Logan's show. Things have been said about arrogance, things have been said about necessary bravado. I agree with both, but the way Skepta that used the word more and more, only for it to sound more farcical with every extra use, just seemed to twist into an unintended, mocking self-satire which was sickly amusing.

Well, in my opinion anyway.