A Life of Grime @ O2 Forum Kentish Town (27 Sept)

Grime has come a long way from its turn of the Millennium roots when it grew out of several genres such as UK garage and jungle as well as drawing influences from dancehall and hip hop but equally forging its own path and identity. The early pioneers included rappers like Dizzee Rascal, Kano, Lethal Bizzle.

Today the interest in Grime continues as we see the likes of Stormzy bringing down Glastonbury as the headline act.  As well his debut album ‘Gang Signs & Prayer, won the 2018 Brit Award for British Album of the Year a category dominated for many years by rock acts. In a boost to its respectability rapper and producer Richard Kylea Cowie, aka Wiley, one the genres originator received an MBE for his contributions to the arts.

Many say Grime was a reaction to the gentrification of electronic dance music, so these early artists turned away and produced their own fresh authentic music, not being afraid to rap in their London accents unlike many other UK rappers of the day who chose to hide behind American accents.

This much-anticipated show will shine a nostalgic light on the generation-defining genre, and will feature some of the most inspiring artists who helped Grime rise from pirate radio to chart-dominating prominence in the early 2000s.

The foundations of Grime are well represented in So Solid Crew, famous for the dance floor anthem ’21 Seconds To Go’, who oversaw its birth from the MC-orientated UK Garage scene. Also on the bill are Grime stalwarts Jammer and East London Newham Generals, both pivotal figures from the beginning and a vital mouthpiece for the genre. “Grime is about togetherness, so this show is one I am looking forward to” says Jammer. “I’m ready to bring Murkle to the stage.”

Dagenham MC Devlin, whose 15-year career has seen him achieve Top Ten chart hits and gold- selling albums while staying true to his underground roots, completes the line-up alongside North London Grime legend Chip, who broke through into the scene aged 16 with ‘Who Are You?’.

“Grime still has a tremendous amount of energy and has many facets now: it has evolved so those that love dubstep, garage, hip hop, RnB also like Grime, it touches all elements of all these genres now” adds A Life of Grime Promoter, Emily Curd.

27 Sept, A Life of Grime, O2 Forum Kentish Town, NW5 1J Tickets from £20.00 adv ticketmaster.co.uk, seetickets.com skiddle.com, gigantic.com, and shoobs.com