WOEBOT said:
(blast of trumpets) I'm really delighted to announce that the one and only Logan Sama, arguably Grime's most important DJ, and the man behind London's biggest vocal track show has signed up to Dissensus. Logan, the insider's insider, has very kindly agreed to answer questions about the state of Grime and where he percieves it going right here. Treat the dude with the respect he deserves! Over to you peeps.....don't be scared!
That was far too grandiose an introduction. I didn't even want an introduction at all.
First question: Regarding compilations....
679 (The label which signed Kano and currently houses The Streets) is compiling a compilation with Journalist Martin Clark comprising of vocal grime tunes featuring mcs and singers. No release date as yet, but when i find out I'll let you know. There's a tracklisting floating around somewhere.
EMI have a compilation in the works also, and Relentless are planning a mixed cd.
In terms of getting stuff as early as possible in a listener friendly format... it's all about the mixtapes and dvds. These can be purchased online from
www.uptownrecords.com and
www.rhythmdivision.co.uk
Look out for Target's "Aim High Volume 2" in late November. It's a compilation/mixtape for the underground featuring every big name in the scene.
originaldrum: Yes, that's me on the sets recorded which I believe are available on p2p networks featuring Faction G on both Rinse and 1xtra. I believe there's audio floating about of a set I did with Roll Deep (minus wiley) on Rinse as well.
bun-u:
1. In 2005 I would look out for mainstream success from producers such as Terror Danjah, Danny Weed, Target and Davinche as well as the usual names of Wiley and Dizzee. In terms of underground up n comers, look out for P Jam, Dexplicit, Ripperman, Big E D, Scratchy D (Roll Deep), Mikey J (who has done a lot of production on Kano's album) and who knows who else will emerge in the enxt 12 months. That's why i love this music. It moves so fast anyone could be massive in the space of 1 month.
2. Dizzee is an artist, and by his nature he is always going to go in his own direction just like Wiley goes in his own direction. Dizzee's path took him into the mainstream and working on music which is getting further away from the underground all the time, but the heart and soul of his music is firmly rooted to the underground scene, so he can't ever really leave, because this is what he loves. I can see him making more albums which sound further away from Grime, but he'll never leave.
3. Artists from areas such as Manchester, Nottingham, Birmingham and Wolves all have talent. It's just whether their sound and accent can be accepted by the average listener. A lot of the problem with marketing grimey MC's to the public is the inaccessible slang. And this is a block between the south east, and mc's from other regions. their language and slang is different, so it isn't as easy to appreciate their lyrics. I can see a national scene growing, much like the hip hop scene in america, where artists have localised success in certain regions, and a select few might move on to national success.
4. My tune of 2004 was Wot Do U Call It? I think it served a great purpose in educating the media about what we do. The video was great as well because it showed a real insight into the culture of the music, not just the sound. And a scene thrives on the marketing of it's culture, not it's actual music.
5. Crazy titch I think ended up winning that one in the end. But Bruza had him on the ropes, so to speak. And the footage on Lord Of The Mics was also edited heavily.
mms: Donae'o has a vast swathe of tracks vocalled and is waiting on the right time to put together a project to get them out. With Social Circles currently going through some serious restructuring, I don't know what his situation is regarding a contract, but I know he is working with his crew Artilla Camp on mixtapes and singles.