Music Is The Answer: Grime Ain't Dead...

In recent years a lot of Grime followers have been through a dark period, with many announcing the death of the music.

And, to be fair, over the last couple of years it hasn't quite been as strong as it was when it first came to my attention back in 03 or 04...

However, recently the mainstream media and some of the bigger record labels have got themselves reacquainted with the Grime scene and things finally seem to be moving forward in the right direction. I think this, coupled with some of the scene's more prominent MCs growing and maturing as artists in their own right, has led to what's been happening over the course of the year.

So, where to start?

First up, a few days late I know, but Diddy and Skepta's track - an official Grime remix of Hello Good Morning. HUGE.

It's probably the first time for ages I've heard a commercial Grime track that actually still sounds gritty and kinda raw (you'd have to go back to Kano - Ps and Qs or Dizzee's - He's Just A Rascal for something similar). Apart from the singing towards the end, it's probably about as authentic as a commercial Grime tune can be - and hearing Diddy say "This is the Grime mix"... whoa, BIG. Skepta's definitely making moves in the right direction and good on him.

I wrote about the track for the Sun Online, read it by clicking here.

Next up, The Sun has been pushing Grime heads forward with its whole Brrrap Pack thing.

They've announced a second tour, after one in February which featured Tinie Tempah and Skeppy amongst others. This time Wiley is headlining, alongside the mighty JME, Migraine Skanker Gracious K, Fugative and female act Ruff Diamondz.

I spent most of yesterday writing biogs for Wiley and JME, mostly off the top of my head, having been listening to them and following their careers from day dot. Obviously I couldn't squeeze everything in, as Wiley in particular has such a colourful history that you could literally write a book on him.

It all kicks off in October - I'd get a ticket as soon as poss because the last one was a roadblock sell out at every venue.

CLICK HERE TO READ MY PIECE.

Also, Scorcher (Not no talker, flick out the ting like Luke Skywalker) has signed a £1MILLION deal with record label Geffen/Universal ...kinda old news I know, but as we're talking about Grime artists making big moves, it's relevant.

And Devlin is now getting the shine he deserves after years and years on the grind. Former OT Crew member has been one of Grime's most talented MCs for a good while now, so seeing him being picked up by mainstream media at last is wicked to see.

Can't forget though, as much as these guys are creeping into the commercial field, there are plenty of unknown (to the mainstream) MCs who are more than deserving of their time in the limelight.. Wretch 32 for instance, sick. Double S, Frisco, Ghetto, P Money, D Double E... the list goes on and on.

I guess a lot of these guys will remain on the underground, but as long as they keep making the music that Grime followers like, then it's all good.

LEE BRASCO - GRIME AIN'T DEAD