When you think of uk ‘urban’ music artists. You think London, tower blocks, pirate radio,sbtv, GRM Daily and link up tv etc etc.
While this is true and it has produced the likes of Stormzy,Krept and Konan, Section Boyz,J hus, Fredo and many others. Who followed in the footsteps of all timers like Kano,Giggs,Wretch 32,Skepta,JME, Roll Deep, So solid and Heartless Crew.
I mean the first time we all legit thought someone from outside London could make it was devilman when he was announced to be battling Skepta on the Lord of the Mics. He took the L got exposed for various fuckery and we all moved on.
To the point where people thought this was devilman.
Rude I know.
In the current culture we find ourselves with the ability to hear voices, sounds and creative energies from artists throughout the UK.
This has proven true for those inside the M25.
The likes of Dave,Stefflon Don,Kojo Funds and others have put social media and easy access to consumers to good use and help breakthrough over the last couple of years.
Established artists outside of the M25 such as Mist or Bugzy Malone, have cemented there place in the scene. Fully removing the stigma that anything outside of London was dead.
Now it might be ‘Scouse Trap’ coming from Tremz or the realness of Jaykae the UK scene is full of talent. They now have the ability to hit the heights of their predecessors, as-well as current rivals in the game.
In this post we are going to take a look at a few artists. I personally think will make waves this year, do me a favour. Go have a listen, take half hour out of your evening and see what you think.
Message me and tell me what you think.
The second part is an interview with Northampton and Dice Recordings artist Dizmack, who has just dropped his EP Spectrum.
Available on all streaming platforms now.
Before I give you a rundown of three artist I think will blow up in 2018 I just want to say. I picked these artist because I fuck with there music. Not because I want to be there friend or I want them to co sign me. Just so those little people who will whisper that too their little friends. Im aware I know what you will say before it leaves your little brains. Little people = haters
Anyway…..
Let’s start with the youngest artist on this list Nafe Smallz.
Coming out of Luton he brings a quality to his music that defies his age.
What really in my view showed his diversity and potential was the brilliantly put together seven days freestyle blending today’s culture and direction with Craig David’s classic seven days.
He showed the scene he’s here stay!
Collaborating with UK heavy hitter Chip and cultural icon Black the Ripper to create the Smokin Remix. Receiving recognition in the song from chip saying “n****s want a verse might turf um but I might do one for nafe cuz his wavey”. That seems to be general consensus for fans of the young artist. His smokin remix on you tube hit over 5 million views alone.
He does have his detractors or haters it would seem.
Scrolling through you tube comments it seems to be the same thing they all dislike.
The use of auto tune!
This in itself could warrant its own blog post the effects of auto tune on popular culture especially in the US hip hop scene.
(Maybe that will be explored in future)
No pun intended
The godfather of auto tune being the one and only T Pain. He had worldwide success with his brand of r&b and bringing it to the mainstream audiences. Since then it has been taking to new heights by others mainly Future.
Nafe Smallz use of auto tune should not detract from his obvious talent. It should be embraced as part of his sound.
His latest single Gucci has been well promoted and put together from the visuals to the production. While this is all one guys humble opinion I think if you don’t already know who Nafe Smallz is click on the links below to listen to some of my favourites.
You won’t regret it!
Smokin Feat Chip and Black the Ripper
Nafe Smallz Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3dKjmeRZcSUw617CoMzEA0?si=bQbbv6SaSP29-Ac9kmH0pw
Gucci
Jaykae
2018 WILL be the year of Jaykae.
For anyone in the midlands who knows about Jaykae will say the same thing.
He should of blown up years ago.
Due to a sabbatical with her majesty’s prison service. The Birmingham artist had to put his music career on hold.
Now his putting his best work to date together. The EP aptly entitled ‘Where have you been’ explores Jaykaes mind-state towards music now.
Toothache really changed the game for the Birmingham rapper, by being a backing track on the Hit US show POWER. It was the first time I heard the song to be honest. I think I said something like “rah man got on power that’s mad!”
It made me look into Jaykae again, for me he was always the guy from Birmingham that had untapped potential.
Now he is that guy!
The next up the one who’s going to take over the scene. The song for me that shows his growth his ability the tap into that potential mentioned earlier. Has to be Moscow.
As of this writing Moscow has 2.5 million Youtube views. Not bad for a guy from Small Heath in Birmingham. Those type of numbers you would expect London artists to be getting.
It’s Jaykae’s year should he continue to put the work in. There’s no stopping this artist being regarded as one of the best!
He has also recently featured on the new Ghetts release Hell to the liars. Once again showing he can hang with the OGs of the game. As well separate himself from the rest of the scene today.
Click below to here some of my favourite Jaykae releases.
Moscow
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/track/1sdYeOmSJymoav7ZQ7cXZO?si=DAC8-BDRSIuAjtnudgGUNQ
YouTube:
Toothache
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/track/2ljuwHtdINTHKX4Mz5ujzw?si=KabXplyhQNibBxEyMBvsoQ
Hell to the liars
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/track/08rB1AFgNC3e4UUjvC9Zel?si=88ggqRRtQ8-Yc5GoRoWfIw
Tremz
Scouse Trap Music is Tremz.
The Liverpool rapper has taken the uk drill or trap sound and made it his own.
Combining his scouse accent and slang, with the drill or trap sound that was made famous by Chief Keef, Lil Durk and others in Chicago.
Section Boyz and 6’7 would be the most famous UK exports from the scene.
Tremz has collaborated with the likes of A1 from the Nine, AJ Tracy and members of Westrn.
Tremz to be honest has made the thought of a scouse rapper legitimate. You could look at Ayster and say he started it but Tremz body of work and consistency separate the two.
His mixtape madness freestyle currently has over 1.9 million views on YouTube. The scouse rapper has the backing of Dice Recordings the label headed up by grime legend and leader of the BDL Big Narstie.
Tremz has a diversity that will take him out of just being that scouse rapper. He could fall into being known as. He is definitely on the come up. His only detractors might be those who can’t get over the accent.
Take a listen to some of my favourite tracks from Tremz below.
Tremz:
Mad about bars:
Introstyle:
Rockstar:
https://open.spotify.com/track/1niYKbJpIK0QxAxqCNG8ZW?si=r0ApQbFCSBm6fOIUsdaShA
So there you have it three artist outside the M25 that are making waves in the industry. Three reasons why artists inside the M25 should be paying attention. Three reasons why the “mandem from country” are here to stay.
It seems that with the easy accessibility to music now with Apple Music,Spotify, YouTube,Soundcloud etc artist can be just that ARTIST. They don’t have to find that sound that appeals the masses they can make music for them. If people fuck with it they fuck with it.
A bit like this blog you’re either gunna fuck with it or you’re not.
It’s an exciting time to be a fan of music you can discover new talent everyday. Be that guy or girl in the car with aux cable and be like….
When you drop that banger no ones heard before.
So that’s all I’ve got to say for now, I hope you all enjoyed it. Part two will be out next Sunday.
Misfit meets Dizmack.
We talk all things spectrum, his views on the current state of music and what his 2018 holds for him.
Here’s a clip of the edits being done by @latrice_vgrant (instagram) make sure you check him out. He’s my photographer, until he abandons me and goes back to South Korea or something (his made change this three times now) 😒
Sooooooooo if your interested in working on future projects please get in touch.
lease share like and comment.
Peace Love and Soul
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