Capo Lee and Sir Spyro unleash the second single ‘Tekkers’ from their forthcoming EP ‘Stop Talk’. Spyro provides a bassline, heavy instrumental for Capo Lee to spray down some fire, original bars.
Avelino (feat. Stormzy & Skepta) – Energy
#NoBadEnergy – that’s the mantra to this track and a good one it is. Avelino comes in first staking claim to the track with his lyrical dexterity and trademark flow, with features from Grime heavyweights Stormzy and Skepta. They roll around North London with cameos from Wretch 32 and Big Tobz in a cinema style visual.
NAO – In the Morning
This is my favourite track off Nao’s debut album ‘For All We Know’, and I’m so pleased she accompanied the track with visuals as the shadowy electronics match it perfectly.
Bugzy Malone – Aggy Wid It
Manchester born Bugzy Malons returns to 2017 with a brand new single ‘Aggy Wid It,’ full of aggressive bars, taking shots at people that are copying his style. This is the perfect way for Bugzy to start the year as he means to go on.
NoLay – Dancing With The Devil
NoLay tackles the serious issue of domestic abuse in a relationship for her new track which is lifted from her upcoming LP Release. The lyrics and video are powerful and hard-hitting and shows the seriousness behind it and thinking a partner can change.
North West London rapper Nines who recently has signed a deal with XL Records has just released the track listing for his long-awaited album ‘One Foot Out’, and I couldn’t be happier having been a fan of Nines for years. He dropped the tracklisting on his Instagram, which included some hot features such as Akala, Tiggs Da Author and more.
Before this though Nines unleashed his first visual taken from the album and the first single ‘High Roller’ ft. J Hus. It gives a glimpse into the lives of the artists from where they have come from to where they are now and are headed; from riding behind the wheels of flash cars to estates and fancy flats and dark streets, and getting fitted for suits.
Clue – Game Over
Clue’s work rate is mad and second to none right now, as he keeps dropping video after video. The distinctive-voiced, South London rapper has a message for anyone going up against him this year, it will be ‘Game Over.’ This is another one for the streets and sees him going hard over a sinister beat produced by 5ive & Mazza, fitting his menacing lyrics perfectly, “Don’t watch me watch the man on your shoulder. Keep your name out my mouth like an ulcer.” Clue’s flow is now perfected and he’s ready to take the UK Rap world by charge with his rawness and ability to tell real life stories through his lyrics. His forthcoming E.P ‘Return Of The Ghost’ (out in May) will hopefully catapult him into success which he deserves.
SeeJay100 ft. TE DNESS – Pretty Girls
SeeJay100 has been making quite a name for himself in the UK Rap scene with his run of bangers and working with the likes of highly-rated MC’s such as Cadet, Big Tobz, Bonkaz and Stormzy. Now he joins forces with one of the hottest underground rappers of the moment TE DNESS for ‘Pretty Girls.’ It’s a sharp, infectious track coupled with a catchy hook, with the two rappers spitting their way through about their love for females. This is just the start of 2017 for Seejay100 though as he already has his new single to follow up this track with, and I believe that he will be marking a mark this year.
Dave & J Hus – Samantha
Both these artists are representing the underground scene tremendously right now, and this collaboration proves why they are the UK’s brightest artists about at the moment. ‘Samantha’ shows off Dave’s skills not only as a lyrical don, but also on the keys on this melodic track produced by Jae5. The introduction to the video changes from cups of tea, to books, lights, a church, and to an estate, leaving the aesthesis to contrast yet coincide at the same time. It’s a cocky track from Dave and J Hus, but why shouldn’t it be? Dave raps, “We sent your man to the shop, what do you mean? He ain’t ever made it rain, your man is a fraud, your boyfriend’s living a lie, you’re kind of like Rachel Zane.” He’s definitely mixing gentlemen with gangster.
A2 – Lowest Key
Taken from his ‘More Sleep 2’ EP out on Dec 16, A2 keeps things popping with his brand new visuals to ‘Lowest Key’ taking us on quite a trippy journey as we enter into his world. As you press play you move between a hotel room, a train journey and him walking at night with bright lights ahead. The track itself is mysterious and moody and this is reflected in the dark visuals. The vibe is laid-back and hazy and switches between A2 signing and rapping, “You say you’re into energies and planets, I’m still tryna find a balance, and you think the solar systems got the answers. I can rule the world it ain’t a challenge, trust me baby I can manage.” The lyrics like the video leave us in a kind of meditative, surreal state.
Grim Sickers has been building the respect of his peers in the game since appearing on LOTM V, and it’s no wonder why as he is hard working and lyrically his bars are effortless and very distinctive. He dropped the video to his new remix to track ‘Kane’ this week which features BBK’s JME and is produced by Swifta Beater. Mike Skinner & Despa have picked up on the track and have signed it to their new label.
Capo Lee & Sir Spyro – Stop Talk
Capo Lee and legendary Grime producer Sir Spyro have come together for a collaborative E.P ‘Stop Talk’ and this is the first video to be released from the project. Capo Lee sprays some heavy duty bars telling certain people to just stop talking and put their words into actions. The full E.P will be out 24th Feb.
D Double E – How I Like It
He’s a legend when it comes to Grime music and last week he not only announced his first headline show at the 02 Islington Academy, but also dropped a brand new single ‘How I Like It.’ It’s got his trademark adlibs along with fresh bars and a clean video.
Devlin ft Maverick Sabre – Blow Your Mind
Devlin unleashes the video for his brand new single featuring the soulful voice of Maverick Sabre. Devlin shows off his magnificent wordplay and double time bars on this track. The track will be on on his forthcoming album ‘The Devil In’ (out Feb 10th).
Stefflon Don reincarnates her ‘Real Ting’ track released last November by releasing a remix and getting UK Rap don Giggs to jump on the track to add extra flavour to the track. Steff adds an extra verse herself too, giving the track a burst of freshness. Plus there is a wicked video self-directed by Steff herself to go with it.
Danny Dorito x Stogey – Lyrical Skengs
E.B Records, a new independent record label has made a great start to the year with their second release dropping this week, only 3 weeks into the year. ‘Lyrical Skengs’ comes from Nottingham artist Danny Dorito and Eastbourne’s Stogey produced by label mates Audio Slugs for a wicked Grime track full of energy and organic flows and bars.
Ghetts ft Shakka – You Know My Ting
Grime legend Ghetts has created another hit track ‘You Know My Ting’ which will be going off in the clubs. Shakka lends his hand to the chorus adding a different element to the track singing about women. Whilst Ghetts spits bout peng tings, swag and more! What a banger..
New Gen – Money Haffi Mek (ft Stefflon Don & Abra Cadabra)
It’s a New Gen thing next. ‘Money Haffi Mek’ has two of the UK’s hottest and newest rappers on the track Stefflon Don and Abra Cadabra who spit hard bars throughout the track over a trap-led beat. It’s catchy, it’s about making money and it’s going to be an underground banger straight away. The New Gen album is out today as well!
Y.SJ (67) – Loose Screw
67’s Y.SJ drops a more laid-back, slower track to what we’re normally used to from the 67 crew, and it works well. The beat produced by Carns Hill allows the rapper to show off his lyrical skills on his solo debut track. This will be the 3rd song off the forthcoming mixtape #KylieKendall.
Reeko Squeeze released his long-awaited visuals for ‘Diablo’ (featuring Donae’O). The collaboration was featured on Reeko’s St8 Authentic mixtape, which was released last July, but now we’re treated to the video. Filmed in what looks like a part of Central London, the two artists connect in a straight up authentic way, with Reeko spraying some hard bars whilst Donae’O brings a catchy hook. Reeko Squeeze’s work rate is impressive, and if he keeps it up there could be big things ahead for him.
C Biz – Fresh Out & The Buzz (Ecstasy)
It was only last week that C Biz was released from prison after being cleared of murder at the Old Baily, and it certainly didn’t take him long to start dropping some fresh tunes – coming back stronger than ever. His first release dropped a day after being released, so it was clear music had been on his mind during his incarceration. ‘Fresh Out’ – produced by Jay Youngs – touches on his life, winning, and addressing the accusations made against him.
The second track released, ‘The Buzz’, comes harder with a vengeful, sinister sounding production, produced again by Jay Youngs and Mazza Beats. C Biz is talking real life issues on this one, with some heavy-duty lyrics. He takes us through his struggle and what’s been going on with his situation in both of these tracks. Listen below.
Tremz – No Fame 2
Tremz kickstarted the year with a follow-up to his summer track, ‘No Fame’, with ‘No Fame 2’. Tremz provides an anthemic, catchy track, especially on the chorus. Tremz talks about his nan kicking him out, ex-girlfriends and more: Tremz is set to release a lot more music this year, with a project titled Lifestyle Of A Pirate out at the end of February.
Clue x Geko – Cold Outside
Last year, we mentioned rapper Clue quite a bit in this column, and now he’s back with a welcome collaboration with Manchester-born artist Geko for ‘Cold Outside’. The ghostly, sinister production matches the lyrics from the two artists, who gel together well. Geko opens the track with a memorable, Afrobeats style hook: “Nike leather gloves cuz it’s cold outside, something on my face cuz it’s cold outside.” South West London rapper Clue then comes in dropping some straight fire with his deadly, heated lyrics: “Chrome sumthing big toy, did it on my own I’m a big boy, I won’t take no disrespect I’m a big boy, I was outkast feeling like big boy.” It’s definitely one that will bang in the streets.
Blittz – U Know Seh
Walthamstow rapper Blittz also drops his first single of 2017, ‘U Know Seh’, complete with visuals to match. Jayrich is behind the mesmerizing, marching, fast-paced beat that allows Bittz to spit rapidly in a patois style: “U know seh manna just stoosh, u know seh me wicked and bad, u know seh I bill it and smoke,” Blittz spits in for his hook with ‘Wicked & Bad’, referring to a track he released with Big Tobz last year which was an underground banger. His flow and style on this is definitely wicked and bad and shows how Blittz is in a lane of own.
Shakka is one of the greatest R&B talents to come out of the U.K, and this track is another banger from the West London artist who continues to smash it. ‘Don’t Call Me’ flashes between past and present with emotional trauma and tells a story of relationship trouble, but not his own, his friends confiding in him of theirs.
Davinche, Capo Lee, Mic Ty, Jammz – Nah Blud
The second video dropped from Davinche’s forthcoming ‘Powers’ album, and this time he drafted in some of Grime’s hardest lyricists Capo Lee, Mic Ty and Jammz to shell it down over a dark and grimey production.
Koder – Vibrations
Koder brings us a powerful track and visuals for his new track ‘Vibrations,’ which is inspired by Jesse Williams speech at the BET Awards last year. Koder spits about the wrongs going on in our society, but saying how he’s still got hope and faith. It’s an inspirational, winning track from the South London artist who brings some sick gritty, animated visuals in red and black to match the track.
Loadstar – I Need The Night
This is a brilliant new cut from Loadstar’s forthcoming album on Ram Records. Liquid D&B at it’s best with some nice vocals on it from the Bristol boys who are now veterans of the Drum & Bass scene. If this is anything to go by their album will be pretty good! Let the bassline vibrate through your body and listen to the drums roll out and enjoy!
Bonkaz ft. Jevon – Lonely
Bonkaz drops a new video ‘Lonely’ taken from his ‘Fuck Fame’ mixtape released last year. It’s a relationship based track and talks about emotions people go through and their thoughts and feelings. It’s a deep one from Bonkaz who is assisted by Jevon who provides the smooth hook and production.
Nottingham MC Snowy’s workrate is incredible, and he drops a new one for us titled ‘Idris Elba,’ paying homage to someone who is inspirational to him. It’s a strong track full of intelligent bars and witty wordplay from one of this years serious one to watch Grime MC’s.
Lethal Bizzle feat. Giggs & Flowdan – Round Here
Lethal Bizzle releases the first single from his forthcoming album ‘Lennox Rd,’ and it’s a cold one. The Heavytrackerz bring us a instrumental full of drama and suspense whilst Bizzle bring us heavy-duty, aggressive bars, and Giggs well Giggs he definitely shows up some Grime MC’s as he goes innnnnnn on this track whilst Flowdan helps out Bizzle on the hook. This is a banger!
Scorcher – Paranoid
Scorcher brings us a dark & determined track to kick off his 2017 produced by Donaeo’ who also adds some of his recognisable adlibs to the track. It’s full of sinister twists and turns and shows off Scorchers lyrical ability and set of flows he has.
Davinche – Scorcher, Ghetts, Mercston, Mikill Pane and Sam Sure – Powers
Davinche is set to release his brand new album ‘Powers’ where he had 2 weeks with 32 artists to create this project. The first video is a powerful track from three of Grime’s most influential MC’s Scorcher, Ghetts and Mercston who go back and forth over a dramatic instrumental from Davinche, whilst Mikill Pane intro’s the track with a spoken word delivery.
Devlin – Blow Your Mind ft. Maverick Sabre
Three years on since collaborating, Devlin and Maverick Sabre are back at it making beautiful music. ‘Blow Your Mind’ will be on Devlin’s forthcoming album ‘The Devil In,’ and shows Devlin rap in double time whilst Mavrick Sabre handles the hook soulfully like he does.
Denzel Curry – Knotty Head UK Remix Feat. AJ Tracey & Rick Ross
AJ Tracey heats things up on the UK remix of Denzel Curry’s ‘Knotty Head’ where he steps in first on the opening verse, setting the levels for the rest of the track with Denzel Curry and Rick Ross who take on the track after. The video is shot in West London and also shows shots of Denzel performing at the Jazz Cafe in London.
Frisco feat Shola Ama – Rocket
Frisco ends the year on high with a brand new visual taken from his ‘System Killer’ project. ‘Rocket’ is given a vintage feel for the video and shows the pair walking through Fris’ hood in Tottenham as he rides the laid-back beat effortlessly.
Yungen – Cuffing Season
Yungen drops another track for the girls which he always does so well! The South London rapper talks us through why this girl might be the one to take him off the market, and why winter is ‘Cuffing Season’.
Wiley – 6 In The Bloodclart Morning
The Godfather of Grime is back at it with some more visuals taken from his forthcoming “Godfather” album due January 13th. It’s classic Wiley, straight-fire bars, over an old skool sounding Grime beat.
Rude Kid has had an epic year with the release of his ‘Noah’s Ark’ E.P, touring with Chase & Status, performing at festivals and announcing his Kiss Grime show. He leaves us at the end of 2016 with a huge mix of some of his biggest records mixed with exclusives of forthcoming releases.
Chip dropped a video for the ‘Winter Time’ where he sprays some cold, icy bars over a haunting beat produced by Scholar. Chip addresses his haters with style, fresh lyrics and positivity, proving how he is one of Grime’s strongest MC’s about.
Roxxxan – Oouchie
Roxxxan drops the freestyle to the classic Nas track “Oochie” giving it her own flavour and finessing the beat with eloquence and style. She packs in hard punchlines and her endless flows joined by a seductive, shimmering visual ending her 2016 on a high.
Melisa Whiskey – Played
Soulstress Melisa Whiskey brings us the visuals for ‘Played’, the first cut off of her forthcoming debut EP. It displays soul and emotion and shows off her velvety vocals perfectly. It’s reflective and it’s full of realness which you can see in the video through Melisa’s eyes.
Jammz – Danger
East London Grime MC released the visuals to ‘Danger’ this week taken from his ‘Warrior’ EP released in November. Jammz not only spits hard bars throughout the track. but also produced the beat too as well as co-producing the video alongside Risky Roadz.
P Money – Conspiracy Don
After releasing his brilliant new album ‘Live & Direct’ a few weeks ago, P Money now blesses us with the visuals for a track taken from there ‘Conspiracy Don’. The video matches the aggressive sounding flows and bars from P whose sound and style is as on point as ever.
Three of Grime’s foundational and important people link up for a momentous collaboration “Unruly” where they take to the streets of Newham for a gritty Grime riddim which matches the menacing visuals.
Wiley – U Were Always, Pt.2 feat. Skepta & Belly
Wiley takes it back to old skool Roll Deep days as he brings us “U Were Always Pt.2,” sampling SWV’s ‘Fine Time”. It features North London MC’s Skepta and Belly in this sultry slow jam. This will be on his forthcoming “Godfather” album out Jan 2017.
19 year-old South East London lyricist Blakie releases his debut single “Can’t See Them” which shows him stepping out on his own from crew The Square for this fun and energetic Grime track produced by The Square member Lolingo.
Cadet – Ooouuu (Remix)
Cadet puts his own stamp on Young Ma’s “Ooouuu” as he gives it a remix. It’s joined by dance heavy visuals that suit the bouncy track well as Cadet lays down some sick bars.
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