Grime and UK rap 2020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXLS2IzZSdg

Dave does Black live at the Brits with a new verse, calls Boris Johnson a racist

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LRMGE9_M2Q

And Stormzy did a medley. I love a good medley

Also Unknown T has been found not guilty of murder

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98XnGY5TUTc

And he's put out a song to celebrate

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8o6pcqBW4k

UK drill's tribute to MJ. It's quite catchy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYirgnKnwzY

Frosty got over a million views last year on a tune he put out on his own channel with no video when he was locked up. His flow is so laid back

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=My05cYX_2iM

As is SL's

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVCyTpxIO4c

Aitch always sounds like he needs to blow his nose

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOnnE5BYttA

That's cold. D Double has a good voice for drill

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zg2dmvvew_o&feature=youtu.be

We have a coronavirus drill track, and it's actually quite good. Looks like these lads were right about wearing masks all along.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUKlIHIYvAw

Ill Blu do drill

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCTupAH_AMA

Pete and Bas do drill with some Irish and Australian guys

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVJNwJIiI2A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jU88O-xnn4s

New Yxng Bane with another wavy one

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlNNl5oifMY

This is Aitch's best work so far, and one of AJ Tracey's best as well

Hmm the coronavirus track doesn't seem to be linking properly. It's called Spreadin' (Coronavirus) by Psychs

Also I hope you're all as excited as I am to learn that Ruff Sqwad's long lost grime classic R U Double F is getting a vinyl release

absolute stone cold unimpeachable A+++ banger
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3C5NMEek-E

coronavirus track is a bop too

Ill Blu drill track rules.

i like that v9 joint

There's been a woeful lack of social distancing on display in the drill scene

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLdkZnDlGCE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oa3xxIfMAIE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awobHDiWY9A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMbutwcOBGc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kl-9SXn6RYk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbZiQ0bKFS0

They could learn a lot from Jaykae

There's a new album out from Skepta, Chip and Young Adz. I've not heard the whole thing but what I have heard hasn't been that great tbh. Young Adz gets on my wick

chat with my oldest just led me to Headie One's "Gang". loving this, it's moving as fuck

late to this, but was this never posted in last year's thread? madness!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouCuyQI9pXc
Young T & Bugsey ft. Headie One • Don't Rush

couldn't find their previous (and even bigger) hit either, tho it was nommed in the EOY Tracks:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ng83tmoQ3yU
Young T & Bugsey ft. Aitch • Strike A Pose

see they just dropped an album as well, gonna have to check it out

I think I meant to post Don't Rush in here but didn't. I wasn't feeling Strike A Pose so much

Headie says he's done with drill. It looks like he's going to try for mainstream success, and good luck to him

“Don’t Rush” my favourite of the two by far as well. It’s so good.

xp

Judging by his Twitter right now, Tempa T has gone way off the deep end.

He seems to be the David Icke of grime. He also seems to be trying to bully JME into doing a load of burpees.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SBccSMfib4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EW71FKXQwSY

Have some new JME and a topical Lady Leshurr track. Made the video on her phone in her flat apparently

Listened to the Young T & Bugsey album.** It’s enjoyable enough, but very far from thrilling. Hardcore they ain’t (if that’s what you’re looking for), it’s J Hus-ultralite, lyrically and musically (they even have a Jae5 track in “Madonna”), but the biggest weakness is that there’s no personality or character at work here. Not really a dealbreaker when the track is as good as in “Don’t Rush”, but over the course of an album...

**does this qualify as essential frontline work?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcjY67XZqFc

i'm enjoying that Young T album! not looking for hardcore in the summer tho tbh

(don't really listen to albums front to back tho tbf)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQfWjI8nuV4

That's a good one

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJxvwanf7ak

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8sKIvpMLSs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOzb7zWfJeM

This guy's got a different flow from your average driller

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzD1Ev14jVM

CB got a life sentence last year. Not sure why this is only coming out now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dr_b5A3bLc

Brian Eno does drill, by which I mean that he's remixed Headie One. It's not that great.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ekak2GGps9c

Joy Orbison does drill. It's OK.

I don't think either Brian Eno or Joy Orbison are real drillers if I'm being honest

joy o track was dope! eno needs to retire tho lol

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YPH39b5uF4

RIP Ty, died of COVID 19 aged 47. One of the best UK rappers from the 2000s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPc4OnfTrY8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYLbPinpBH8

So who sampled Push The Feeling On better? Like for AJ and MoStack, comment for Mist and Fredo

Both tracks might be good if they weren't sampling that rubbish song

Push The Feeling On is awesome

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PRObnyuHCs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlIjfGGZAuw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUirRFcXEvw

Pete and Bas are actually pretty good on drill. They've got the masks and everything.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feRBZPtw5bE

Aitch does drill. There can't be many big name UK rappers who haven't been on a drill beat now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ud61U0AAwL0

I could see Poundz getting some mainstream success. He sure knows how to write a catchy hook.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcxXIchi7XQ

Ivorian Doll with a rare school-themed drill video. Still the only woman in the scene I think.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEXZai09LxI

Stormzy on a drill beat. I don't think this track's that great, his verse is the high point

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zE0vK31wQQQ

MizOrMac from Harlem Spartans is out of prison after three years I think and he's back with a conscious one

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpraBUVkUV0

I think we need more Autotune in drill

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wtnjVX3lMs

Ill Blu do drill again

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1cqd_h7XZw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJBH1Ip8Omo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wh5VHm_jwJI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7Ldh7rQTrI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-0QJUPSJtE

Bstep, for searching purposes and as backup for when these links get broken (bound to happen sooner or later), would it be too much to ask you to provide track info when posting YouTubes or other links?

Let’s not turn this thread (or any other thread for that matter) into a broken link graveyard! #threadetiquette

Should start doing that myself really even though not many vids get taken down these days. That Skengdo and AM tune is the best one they've done in time. Good to see Karma socially distancing and covering himself up too

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-S7pxgbC2Ys

Potter Payper - 2020 Vision Freestyle - Potter's out, and he's back on a 90s style beat with a live drummer and everything

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sZZNZt4ifg

Loski x MoStack - Training Day - Mostack does drill

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Db1RKwCGp0g

Belly Squad Ft. Fizzler - Corn Around - Afrobashment type vocals on a drill beat, works pretty well

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvKW085SQ8c

M24 - Peter Pan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXnRU7FLXwI

(Zone 2) Kwengface - Mad About Bars w/ Kenny Allstar [S5.E4]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2L-yTTs46E

Nito NB - Starburst

Wasn’t even thinking about vids being taken down for their content - just them disappearing over time, over rights issues or just because - but in drill especially that’s another factor yeah.

Does this belong here? It features Ms Banks AND Ms fucking Dynamite!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEVG3qgcUgM
Clipz ft. Ms Banks, Ms. Dynamite & Jaykae • Again

(Clipz = Redlight)

damn, Juls remix dropped just now as well!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRdx5jYIWQc

That Redlight remix, fuck yeah. So good to see Ms Dynamite back

i don't follow uk rap but holy shit @ this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvwNQVZlQv4

That's a good one

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktFemM-LNPU

Lady Leshurr (Ft Busy Signal) Quaranting - Lady Lesh with another rona related track with a video she made in her (and Busy Signal's) house

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izsnQ0SXFyQ

Digga D - Woi - Digga's out, and he's celebrating his freedom by making a bunch of stupid noises in his new tune

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qh527R4vcwA

Unknown T - Daily Duppy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNYMxS9NiiI

Unknown T - Deh Deh - UT's workrate has been mad since he beat his case, and he's getting better as well, flow is super smooth

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iz4ntytaF-M

MizOrMac - Say Mizzy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYMByO4syZE

(Zone 2) Karma - Weirdest Zoo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oc3IXko6Ups

AJ Tracey & Mabel - West Ten - Have a summery UKG tune. Not grime or rap but where else am I going to post it?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIhWBhf1lPY

Ghetts — Mozambique (feat. Jaykae & Moonchild Sanelly) - Ghetts with something a bit different from his usual output. Beat samples his classic tune Top 3 Selected, great vocals from Moonshild Sanelly and a vid that's better than the average

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QewcUYbSBjY

Crazy Titch - Puff Chest - Speaking of grime OGs, Titch has a new one out. Still locked up AFAIK so I don't know how this was recorded. Definitely not done on a phone

Sign the Justice for Titch petition - https://www.change.org/p/criminal-cases-review-commission-justice-for-titch-everyone-deserves-a-fair-trial

This is a golden age for UK MCs right now. The overall standard isn't as good as it was in the glory days of grime but it's not far off.

d double live set! i don't know his music that well so plz lemme kno if u guys know the names of any of these trax! thx
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9ECpzj5piw

new UT https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVfAACUtpSY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHHxbQLq9kM

Liking the new Homerton. I don't think there's any D Double tunes in that set, it's him (and his pals) MCing over a bunch of beats. In grime radio sets and live shows you'll have the DJ playing the riddims and the MCs will spit over them. It won't be like a rap show where you perform the track live.

These are my favourite D Double solo tunes:

Birds In The Sky
Street Fighter
Anger Management
Signal
Bad 2 Tha Bone

I will eat my stereo if the bars from at least two of those don't appear in that set.

really enjoy those bars on Puff Chest

def seems like a great time to be into british mcing

The Unknown T mixtape is terrific.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OCAcKvahOY

Chip - Ignite (ft. Jme & Dizzee Rascal) - I think this and Dizzee's other recent tune with Chip are the first time he's been on a tune with other high profile MCs since the Roll Deep/BIDC days

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sa5GcmqoAc

Dizzee Rascal, Ocean Wisdom - Don't Be Dumb - These two work really well together.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Khenvzw4mHE

Abra Cadabra - Spin This Coupe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=it0TOvEreJ8

BackRoad Gee x Lethal Bizzle x JME - Enough Is Enough - These two tracks could set off some serious moshpit action in normal times. The beat on this one almost sounds like old school grime to me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5dIP5ERe60

K1 N15 - Bando

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAEcmCyEvkU

DigDat - VV

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3G-NfxWHJY

Tion Wayne - Deluded (feat. MIST). Love this beat, so cold.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vk9V7zqYHEk

Russ Millions - Playground Finale

lots of quality there!

don't follow this thread too closely so apologies if repost but i really liked this

https://izco.bandcamp.com/album/warrior-chant-ps-in

maybe it's the pokemon / looney tunes 1-2 in the hook

I'm hopelessly obsessed with this M Huncho x Nafe Smallz song, couple other nice moments on the DNA mixtape too. They have good chemistry

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swTSP7ymYsU

Really liked the Mez album Tyrone 3 that came out last month, I love his beat selection, some of the tracks have that old school grime sound. This one in particular is mad

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNAnXH2fnOI

That's one of the better Huncho tracks I've heard. Not a big fan of that style tbh but he's good at what he does. Feeling that Mez track too, beat sounds almost like the grimier end of UK funky to me.

The Beeb have made a documentary about Digga D and it's an interesting watch. It's more about him trying to stay off road than about his background or his career to date and it takes a fairly sympathetic approach to his situation. It does make me angry that the government isn't doing to more to help a young man with PTSD but what do you expect.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p08xkspf/defending-digga-d

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_vdaZ2NesI

Digga D - Daily Duppy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLuP4N6Wp3E

Straight Murder (Giggs & David) - Dave shows Giggs how it's done on this one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lE7LJcss0l8

Abra Cadabra Ft. Kush - How We Living - I'm a sucker for those sinogrime style flute melodies

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsuXCdCVMOI

Jammer Feat. JME - Ain't The Same - Gotta say that I've never really rated Jammer as an MC but he shells it on this one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vE7AXBELOU4

Pete & Bas ft. M24 - The Old Estate - Pete's verse on this, bloody hell

have been listening to the headie one album a bit lately and it would probably be one of my favourites of the year if it were a fair bit shorter, because it's pretty good at what it does, just that thing gets monotonous over its 20 tracks

almost afraid to admit that pete and baz 'lightwork freestyle' is one of my most played trax this year, certainly the one which has the most bars that remain stuck in my head.

the money comes blue, the money comes white, the money comes pink
now i'm washing out red with a petrol can in the bathroom sink

too many bands locked down in the basement
bought two flats and a loft extension
too many 22s tucked in the car door
looks like one of them bond inventions

pete and bas

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p08xkspf/defending-digga-d

This is worth watching. Really like the track on the second half of his Daily Duppy too.

Agree about the Abra Cadabra track. Need to get around to listening to AC's mixtape/album.

I've been lurking on this thread on & off through the year but haven't bothered posting because I generally can't think of anything to say beyond 'this is big' or similar. Found a lot of great tunes through it though. It feels weird to post because we're real-world pals, but I do have to say thanks to paolo for all the good work.

I was wondering with the end-of-year poll coming up soon whether anyone had any favourite tunes or albums/mixtapes from the year? If there's any consensus picsk we could take them forward to the nominations.
I will try and post a list of faves in a while (it will mostly just be things that are already on this thread though).

J Hus is an obvious consensus pick as far as albums go. i just finally got around to Pa Salieu's Send Them to Coventry and it's great too

superb record

Lol me, I hadn't actually listened to the J Hus album when it came out (hadn't been too keen on Common Sense and just generally wasn't following new music at the time), but have now checked it out and of course it's great. Would definitely expect it to do well in the poll.

Favourite tracks of the year:
Abra Cadabra Ft. RV x Kush x Double Lz x Bandokay x Lowkey x Dezzie- On Deck Remix
Abra Cadabra - Spin This Coupe
Backroad Gee x JME x Lethal Bizzle - Enough is Enough
Backroad Gee ft Pa Salieu & Ambush - Party Popper
BandoKay & Double Lz ft Abra Cadabra - BLM
Clipz ft Ms Banks, Ms Dynamite & Jaykae - Again (Redlight remix)
Crazy Titch - Puff Chest
Dezzie - Buss It
Dezzie & Headie One - Chop It
Dizzee Rascal & Ocean Wisdom - Don't Be Dumb
Frisco ft Skepta, Jammer, JME & Shorty - Red Card
Ghetts ft Jaykae & Moonchild Sanelly - Mozambique
Headie One ft AJ Tracey & Stormzy - Ain't It Different
Headie One & Fred Again ft Jamie XX - Smoke
Ill Blu ft Bandokay x Double Lz - Magic
Izco & PK - Ps-In
Karma - Weirdest Zoo
Lady Leshurr - Unleshed 4
M1llionz - Lagga
M1llionz - Y Pree
Meekz x M1llionz x Teeway x Pa Salieu - Year of the Real
Mez - Silas
MizOrMac - Return Of The Mac
Pa Salieu - Bang Out, plus basically everything on the album
Smoke Boys ft Dizzee Rascal - Justin Bieber
Trizzac x Bgody - CD
Unknown T - Deh Deh
Unknown T x D Double E - Double Trouble
V9 - Vikings

There's probably some screwy choices in there reflecting the fact that I'm not all that deeply immersed in this stuff. I've probably underepresented the drill side of things as well: I feel like there's been loads of drill tracks that I've listened to and enjoyed but don't stand out when trying to pull together faves for a list.

With albums/mixtapes, my knowledge is sketchier again. Pa Salieu - Send Them to Coventry I agree with everyone is fantastic, and J Hus - Big Conspiracy too as above.

Unknown T - Rise Above Hate I thought was a really solid album. Maybe not many stand-out tracks and sometimes UT as an MC seems more interesting than the tunes, but I've still gone back to it a lot.

I thought the The BackRoad Gee - Mukta vs Mukta mixtape was a lot of fun. Just a short thing (7 tunes) and BRG sort of just does one thing, but worth checking out.

Enjoyed the Headie One - Edna album more than I thought I would. I guess I was expecting it to be an awkward crossover album but it overall it comes off quite well. It is quite split out in how it's structured I suppose, in that it's like here's the drill tunes, here's the crossover pop-rap tunes. The Gang EP I thought was excellent, & probably more consistent than Edna: obviously not hardcore at all but it just has this nice dreamy atmosphere right through it.

The Abra Cadabra - Product Of My Environment album is not really clicking with me so far I'm afraid. It feels like a bit of an awkward mish-mash of different things. Favourite tracks for me are probably the ones that I'd already heard: Spin This Coupe, On Deck, Show Me, How We Living. Will give it some more time though.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATbwQLqlJ7Y

LADY LESHURR - D.I.V - Lesh sends for Ivorian Doll ON HER BIRTHDAY after ID dissed her in her Daily Duppy. Why anyone would send for Lesh is just beyond me, there's really not many UK MCs that could go against her.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlWQdq0XoIc

LADY LESHURR - ASTRONAUT - Just a wee quick one. Not sure how I feel about her outfit in this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjDpVpX-ZVg

Bugzy Malone - Cold Nights In The 61 - I'm not a big Bugzy Malone fan but I am feeling this one. It's a bit more subdued than his normal festival-style output.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3Kn5wdke_A

JAY1 - GWOP

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbS-EFmqudo

#OFB DZ x YF - Back 2 Back

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYFrR66KAew

RV & HEADIE ONE - BACK TO BACK

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpgQV-a9cXs

Dezzie X Headie One - Opp Diddy Bop

this has been a great thread for me this year, thanks!

Favourite tracks of the year:
Abra Cadabra Ft. RV x Kush x Double Lz x Bandokay x Lowkey x Dezzie- On Deck Remix
Abra Cadabra - Spin This Coupe
Backroad Gee x JME x Lethal Bizzle - Enough is Enough
Backroad Gee ft Pa Salieu & Ambush - Party Popper
BandoKay & Double Lz ft Abra Cadabra - BLM
Clipz ft Ms Banks, Ms Dynamite & Jaykae - Again (Redlight remix)
Crazy Titch - Puff Chest
Dezzie - Buss It
Dezzie & Headie One - Chop It
Dizzee Rascal & Ocean Wisdom - Don't Be Dumb
Frisco ft Skepta, Jammer, JME & Shorty - Red Card
Ghetts ft Jaykae & Moonchild Sanelly - Mozambique
Headie One ft AJ Tracey & Stormzy - Ain't It Different
Headie One & Fred Again ft Jamie XX - Smoke
Ill Blu ft Bandokay x Double Lz - Magic
Izco & PK - Ps-In
Karma - Weirdest Zoo
Lady Leshurr - Unleshed 4
M1llionz - Lagga
M1llionz - Y Pree
Meekz x M1llionz x Teeway x Pa Salieu - Year of the Real
Mez - Silas
MizOrMac - Return Of The Mac
Pa Salieu - Bang Out, plus basically everything on the album
Smoke Boys ft Dizzee Rascal - Justin Bieber
Trizzac x Bgody - CD
Unknown T - Deh Deh
Unknown T x D Double E - Double Trouble
V9 - Vikings

Checked the noms list: Spin This Coupe, Enough is Enough, Party Popper, Don't Be Dumb & Ain't it Different were already nominated, so I've now also nominated Again remix, Puff Chest, Buss It, Mozambique, Smoke, Magic, Ps-In, Weirdest Zoo, Unleshed 4, Lagga, Silas, CD, Deh Deh & Vikings (left off the others to avoid potential vote splitting, which was tough to do for some, especially On Deck remix which has been a BIG tune for me this year).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATbwQLqlJ7Y

LADY LESHURR - D.I.V - Lesh sends for Ivorian Doll ON HER BIRTHDAY after ID dissed her in her Daily Duppy. Why anyone would send for Lesh is just beyond me, there's really not many UK MCs that could go against her.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlWQdq0XoIc

LADY LESHURR - ASTRONAUT - Just a wee quick one. Not sure how I feel about her outfit in this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjDpVpX-ZVg

Bugzy Malone - Cold Nights In The 61 - I'm not a big Bugzy Malone fan but I am feeling this one. It's a bit more subdued than his normal festival-style output.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3Kn5wdke_A

JAY1 - GWOP

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbS-EFmqudo

#OFB DZ x YF - Back 2 Back

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYFrR66KAew

RV & HEADIE ONE - BACK TO BACK

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpgQV-a9cXs

Dezzie X Headie One - Opp Diddy Bop

Not really feeling the OFB tune but otherwise these are all great.
I find the beat on Cold Nights In The 61 quite hard to follow (think we have a thread about when that happens?) - it's good though.