"Money, Cars, Fame, Pop Champagne, No More Chilling On The Block Was The Aim"

Grime visuals have changed with the times, and for the better given a more professional and commerically-minded scene. Independent artists are now releasing videos with a visual quality that, a few years ago, was only associated with grime's big-wigs with label backing.

Newham Generals - Head Get Mangled



Combined YouTube hits: 9,215

Chipmunk - Chip Diddy Chip



Combined YouTube hits: 37,170

Skepta - Sunglasses At Night


Combined YouTube and Myspace hits: 49,500

However, videos aren't just about visuals. Chipmunk's is the best of the lot. He didn't say much and, with content that a general listener can't relate to in any way, the director has done a great job in creating some kind of narrative that carries the viewer along. The talent show theme, even if it's cliche, does a job, and the snapshot of a successful, future Chipmunk gives a tried-and-tested sense of closure.

The only story of Head Get Mangled is Adam Deacon getting terrorised; fitting retribution for dashing beer bottles at the shopkeeper in 'Kidulthood'. Videos reflect lyrical content, and the indistinct vocals don't help. Maybe it's all a reflection of Deacon's mangled mind, yet this video is still as plotless as Rise Of The Footsoldier. DEE and Footsie growl a bit like the Turks in that film, while Deacon is the scapegoat for the botched heroin deal.

I don't have much to say about Skepta's really.

Narratives are as important as visuals. Maybe a reason for the improvement of visuals, besides money, is that there's no room for messing them up, since there's no other element, like narrative, to fall back on.

Videos are essentially something to look at, and all of these support single and album products that should be released soon. Yet none of them are a Merkle Man. Its token cameos and comedy rest on the foundation of a simple but strong narrative; from the inciting incident of the phone call, to the total resolution of the story for all three characters. It's laughs and cameos add to it, but they would lose their power without the central, driving vehicle of the narrative. It could well be the reason why it's the best grime video ever.

"I'm A Start Lynching Rappers With Money In Their Pockets"

The Kiss FM adverts during the Logan Sama Show are hard to bear. The worst of the lot is the strangled voice of an innocent little child, who isn't scared of the dark, but is actually scared of her mummy smoking. You know, because she might die.

I staged my own triumphant protest, and smoked three cigarettes at the same time. I coughed quite a bit, spluttered a bit more, and then I felt my chest seizing up. Almost like I was dying.

I was glad when the adverts fucked off and the music started.

Ghetts - Autopsy Freestyle (Radio Rip)


Ghetts (Feat. Mercston) - Set You Free (Radio Rip)


Ghetts is trawling through the archives with these freestyles and, with Mercston's recent release from the bing, the two combine on Set You Free. It's the stuff of fairytales. Seriously though it's good to hear him again, and if The Movement start working as a unit again then I'll be more than happy.

Durrty Goodz turned up to plug his new CD, 'Ultrasound', which is out now. Despite the female's man-fingers sprawling all over the front cover, I plan to buy it soon. Poor old Logan was tight for time and, reluctantly ending the interview, politely allowed Goodz to bid a fond farewell with a few last words. Goodz then launched into a stream of extra bars and, despite Logan frantically pointing towards the door, Goodz grinned, carried on and drew for an up middle finger. Goodz was dragged from the studio, his heels scraping the floor while still spitting about 'lynching rappers'.*

Durrty Goodz Freestyling Over Saxon


Jendor was the last guest, along with Tommy Bones. They have a rap promo, 'Blue Wave Volume 1' coming out soon, and from the Car Park track I'm looking forward to it. Jendor's 'Grandmaster' is also out soon, and from the tunes I've heard I'm a bit disappointed; the beats just don't match the energetic, reload bars.

The set was decent though, so have a listen here.

TRACKLIST:

DESERT STORM // UNTITLED
SILENCER // WORLD WAR 4
FOOTSIE // 3 PLATES
RUDE KID // BANDANNAS ON REMIX
WILEY // CLUB 5
MANIAC // SALT FISH
DIZZEE RASCAL // STRINGS HOE
DOT ROTTEN // TORPEDO
MANIAC // WHAT DA RASS

"From Day One I Said I Was Serious"

January 22. Two years ago today, the ruthless heard-hearts of the RWD Forum splashed their keyboards with salty tears in wake of the news that Wiley was going to hang up the mic. Poor old Cameo was close to tears.

Time has proved cruel; RWD is now stuttering like an asthmatic 80 year-old crawling to his top-floor flat, and Cameo's admirable emotion in the moment has been undermined by Wiley's retractable towel.

JME said on the last Logan Sama Show that he wants to make the music he likes and, on Westwood last year, claimed that he never wants to go over-ground. Most interestingly, and related to all of this, is that he thought someone needs to stay underground for the benefit of grime. Skepta, Scorcher, and even JME himself were touted as possible replacements for the irreplaceable position that Wiley had scarpered from two years ago.


Not as far as I'm aware

Why? Why does grime need a leader, a general to marshall the kids running around making music? In the days of the artist people still follow, as the electro trend sadly proved, yet there is greater autonomy for individuals now in pursuing their own musical journies. The decline of the crew has highlighted the MCs personal path.

MCs have a better idea of what they're doing now, but still JME saying he's happy to stay around can only be good. He's seen the genre develop, has one of the best business-brains in the scene, and he's a competent musician that can pass on good advice.

This is assuming that JME takes up this position in the future. However, like him or loathe him, just JME's philosophy in itself, especially in the current context of craving for cross-over hits, is something that I give him huge credit for.

=============================================

Logan Sama (Feat. JME, Trim, God's Gift, Riko, Footsie, Syer B & Flow Dan - Rinse FM, January 2005

Just a set I found from the dark and murky archives of my shit computer.

Stream on zSHARE

Download from Megaupload

Skip to three minutes, and bask in the glorious Rapid production and JME's 'I'll beat you up' badinage. He's not a bad MC you know.