Britain's Grime scene has been lurking underground for decades, but thanks to Dizzee Rascal, Stormzy and Skepta's mainstream success, you haven't got an excuse to know nothing about grime any more. We spoke to Brixton's Big Narstie, he who recently collaborated with Craig David on “When the Bassline Drops”, to get the skinny.
Do know the history“Grime music was made in youth clubs, around 2004 and it's an evolution of garage [music]. It’s got 140 beats per minute, and it’s energetic, hard, dark and sounds like energy. In the beginning, it attracted a certain type - sometimes kids involved in gang violence - so a lot of the kids from the suburbs were really scared to get involved, but now it’s on a different platform. Dizzee's Mercury award opened up that platform. Now even uni kids are getting f****** up having a good time listening to Grime. But you got to know where it's from.”
**Don't forget the classic tracks and artists ** “Roll Deep, Wiley, Dizzee Rascal, Skepta, P Money, JME, D Double E and D Power. They're part of the beginning of grime. Dizzee back in his prime was sick. “Seems 2 be” was sick."
Do learn the languageThere are words and exclamations associated with and exclusive to grime. Narstie suggests you learn the following.
‘Yo’ (exclamation, noun, verb). Greeting, call to attention, or exclamation. ‘Check one two’ (noun). An examination to test or ascertain accuracy, quality, or satisfactory condition of the MC's microphone. ‘Big up the man dem’ (exclamation). Expression of respect for friends. ‘Big up the gal dem’ (exclamation). Expression of respect for women. ‘Big up your ends’ (exclamation). Expression of respect for your home town or borough. ‘Fam’ (noun). A close friend or family member. ‘Cuz’ (noun). A friend.
Don’t wear“Jeans that look like cycling shorts. Mans jeans are so tight you can see the long credit card number. And if you’re wearing Reebok classics then you’re going through a midlife crisis. I don't want to catch you wearing these in the rave."
Do wearGrime's uniform has changed over the years, but Narstie says "I’ve got the best style out of all the MC’s, so wear what I wear". He suggests Nike jogging bottoms, an Adidas hoodie, a New Era hat and Nike Air Huarache Trainers.
Don’t think it's too macho for women“The more tun tun in the raves the better! We need more gal dem. Everyone's welcome, and we know you lot can handle it."
**Do have an opinion on Grime going mainstream ** With collaborations including Giggs and BOB and Chipmunk and Chris Brown, it's a hot topic for the artists and fans. "You got to know about them tings. Endorsement from the US is good thing, but it’s a shame because [grime] needs to stand strong in its own country first. The danger is that the artists who'll put grime into the commercial and public eye will put grime at the back of their closets and jump on another genre of music.
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