Does grime really pay?

On December 4th 2009 the UK music scene was forced to say goodbye to one of their finest young talents. Brandon ‘Maniac’ Jolie was sentenced to 13 years for his part in an utterly thoughtless plot which included conspiracy to murder and attempted murder. His musical credentials can never be questioned. With endless underground hits under his belt, including the Adulthood movie soundtrack and a joint project with chart topper Tinchy Stryder, 2009 looked destined to be the big crossover year for Brandon ‘Maniac’ Jolie. With such a bright future ahead of him, it is understandable why so many fans were disappointed and devastated by his actions which have surely ruined his life.

Maniac with fellow co-defendant Snoopy Montana

So what could provoke a musician with the world on his shoulders into the mind state of a calculated cold-blooded killer? Is Black Britain following in the footsteps of their American cousin? These are a few of many questions currently asked by not only music lovers but by ordinary right thinking members of society.

Brandon ‘Maniac’ Jolie is not the first and probably won’t be the last musician from a Grime background to feel the brute force of judicial justice. In 2006, Carl ‘Crazy Titch’ Dobson was sentenced to a beastly 30 years for his part in a Haynes shooting which was allegedly over song lyrics.
With such high profile crime cases surrounding UK black music, it does nothing but add further cracks to an already damaged pre-conception of Grime. I sometimes question a musician’s moral compass and ethical values when such cases arise.

Have black inner city youngsters been de-sensitised by their surroundings or has the conquest to achieve notoriety and add substance to a glorified ghetto lifestyle been taken a step too far? Who knows, the only thing for certain is police are taking a zero tolerance approach to crime committed by celebrities who were once thought to be untouchable.

So back to the original question, does grime really pay? It was surely paying for Brandon ‘Maniac’ Jolie lifestyle but stupidity and callousness lead him to take part in an inhuman act which will see him spend the next decade and a half in Her Majesty’s Prison system.

With black music being attacked from all angles this was surely the last thing we needed to happen. The grime scene has taken a major blow, not just in musical terms but also in stereotypical terms. In the wake of this news the future seems bleak for grime artists, but there is hope! N Dubz, Tinchy Stryder and Chipmunk have been lighting the way for Grime artists and 2010 will hopefully see more young stars emerge and aid in the development and progression of a scene which is musically seen as public enemy number one.

Written by Christian Nembhard

Christian.nembhard@gmail.com

http://www.roadjournal.wordpress.com

SBD – Lords Prayer Free Download!!!!!!

Manchester currently has the largest grime activity outside of London. with Shifty getting regular airplay, Nia Jai signed to Rio Ferdiand and Wrigley tearing up the roads, i would say it is a very fine time to be from the northern city.

SBD is a 15 year old Emcee from South Manchester and ‘Lords Prayer’ is his debut Mix CD, which is free to Download. Featuring the likes of Dot Rotten and Wrigley, ‘Lords Prayer’ is definitely worth a listen.

As i have said in previous posts, 2010 will see the rise of artists outside of London. Lookout for SBD in the Future.

To Download ‘Lords Prayer’ Click on the picture!

Guvnor – Determined to make an impression

Emcee Guvnor is aiming to literally make a major impression in the Grime scene. ‘Last Impression’ is his latest full-length Mixtape, which features the likes of Scorcher and Wretch 32 as well as production by Terror Danjah, Dot Rotten, Silencer and Lewi White.

Guvnor has appeared on many radio shows including Westwood, and he also has a range of previous mixtapes which can all be downloaded for free.

Click on the picture to download ‘Last Impression’ for free.

Terror Danjah – Hardrive Compilation

TERROR DANJAH PRESENTS…

‘Hardrive – The Compilation’

(Aftershock Recordings)

Terror Danjah is one of the pioneers of the Grime scene and a true champion for talent outside the big capital. This double disc serving features his latest and finest work to date. Featuring the likes of Ghetto, Griminal, Bruza, Mz Bratt, Chipmunk, Double S, Fumin and P-money to name a few, this compilation was always going to have to live up to its Big Bill. Similar to watching the David Haye V Goliath bout, I was hoping the big hits were going to last the distance and not be prematurely ended in the first couple of rounds.

Tracks such as Griminal’s ‘Cant Be’ and Fumin’s ‘Just Realize’ landed sweet right hooks to the eardrums but ironically it was classics such as ‘Cockback’ by Crazy Titch, Riko, Hyper MC & D Double E and ‘Zumpi Hunter’ by Wiley which enforced the vicious blows. The only bad thing i can say about this release is it is not necessarily a true representation of the finest talent in the scene. There are a few names missing and although listeners are treated to 160 mins of pure grime, maybe it could have been filtered to take away some below par tracks. Good value for price!

Review By Christian Nembhard

Christian.nembhard@gmail.com

2009’s big question – Griminal & Mz bratt ‘are they arent they’

Two Of the biggest up and coming artists within the grime scene have been recently stiring up the rumor mill.

Griminal & Mz Bratt are featured heavily in both of their brand new videos and it has led to speculation that the two are dating or as it’s better known as these days “Doin a ting”.

In Mz Bratt’s latest single which is ironically entitled ‘I Like You’ and features Sadie Ama. Griminal can be seen with Mz Bratt engaging in a flirtatious manner.

In Griminal’s latest single entitled ‘Invincible’. Mz Bratt can be seen acting as his steamy girlfriend in a video that reminded me highly of Craig David’s ‘Fill Me In’ single.

Whether it’s a purposeful story that was created by their PR companies/managers or its the real deal it has definitely been a topic of intrest.

Maniac & Snoopy Montana get 32 years!!!!!

On December 4th 2009 Maniac, arguably the brightest & best producer in the grime scene was sentenced to 14 years in prison for his part in a conspiracy to murder charge which involved his pregnant ex-lover.

Maniac is known best for tracks such as ‘Kidulthood to Adulthood’ by bashy, ‘Mainstream Money’ by Tinchy Stryder, ‘Inna Di Ghetto’ by Wretch 32 & Ghetto, ‘Grime kid’ by wiley and countless other grime anthems.

Brandon 'Maniac' Jolie

Maniac who’s real name is Brandon Jolie was given a 14 year sentence after he allegedly bought his 15 year old ex-lover to Islington where Snoopy Montana who’s real name is Kingsley Ogundele was awaiting and attacked her by hitting a metal pole over her head, kicking her and throwing her in the water all while  she was saying “Stop!! I’m Pregnant”. A passerby saved the young girl who cannot be named for legal reasons.

Snoopy Montana, who appeared on the Tim Westwood show as well as many other big radio shows such as cameo got 18 years for his part in the crime.

Kingsley 'Snoopy Montana' Ogundele

It is  great shame that through a moment of calculated madness the scene has lost two of their best up and coming musicians.

Exclusive deadly interview!!!!!

Deadly interview By Christian Nembhard

Christian.nembhard@gmail.com

Female emcees have some what been stigmatized over the last decade or so. many are not given a chance simply because of their gender or because the preconception of female emcees are hoodie hugging tomboys who missed being a male bye a fraction. I caught up with east London emcee Deadly to dispel the myth that female emcees are below par. Not only is she one of the most gifted lyricists in the Grime scene but she is also an eample of elegance laced with a venomous tongue, if you catch my drift.

So Deadly how did you first get into the music scene?

I first started off in a crew called Terra when I was about 12 years old.. seems like such a long time now (smiles) since then I’ve been in other movements/ crews.

Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?

I hope to see my name in lights as they say (laughs), basically I just want my name to be at a high status where I’m know across the UK, making money off music and be on the verge of cracking other countries.

What is the latest product you have released and where is that available?

My current CD is entitled ‘ 1st Place Greatest Kid’ which is available in all stores from Rhythm Division in London to Tempest in Birmingham, it’s everywhere really . It is also available online at ukrecordshops.com so make sure you all get your copy and support this independent grind.

What are your plans for the future?

My plan for my musical future is to exceed in every project I create, I believe you have to fail to succeed first and I am willing to go through trials in order to come out a winner. I want to be big, massive really and take Gemini Productions to an ultimate level and just keep striving for the best really.

Do you think the UK is a suitable marketplace to release hard hitting music of Black origin?

Although England is a white orientated environment, I think that music is powerful enough to make race disappear. Music is colourless and as they say is also a universal language which can speak to all, I believe talent can sale and with it a platform can be built for others to climb on and fly from. It is more than a suitable marketplace as although we are from a Black origin we are all actually British citizens and can bring that hard hitting music to where we live.

As a female emcee do you think it is a help or hindrance practicing your art in a male dominated genre?

Both really it works to my advantage and disadvantage. Some people are intrigued that a female can spit like this but others find it weird, unheard off or they do not even want to listen as they assign all female mcs as rubbish. I’m going to try my best though to get not only males to listen to me but to change the public’s whole ideology on girls who mc.

Which artists are you currently listening to and feeling?

I think Tinchy Stryder is doing alot in the scene along with N dubz, Chipmunk and Ghetts (the usuals). I’m liking alot of the Cream Cartel musicians at the moment, the UK are doing well this year.

With artists like Tinchy, Kano, Chipmunk and even Griminal pursuing a commercial avenue, do you think the scene will be seeing you following suit?

What the public sometimes don’t understand is that music is like a business you have to set yourself targets and have the right strategies to get there , I’m not saying that we should all leave the 140 grime street but we can branch out to different streets to succeed and still keep our identities. The artists you named are doing well for themselves but it’s always good to still keep it grimey and edgy which I hope to do throughout.

Being from East London is an immense bonus as that is where the scene first emerged. Would you say that being from the East end has helped your career?

No I don’t think it has honestly I mean I’ve been around the right faces sometimes and the perfect connections but I’ve never been brought through like fellow musicians / peers. I’m okay with that though I will find my right path and as East London is the home of grime one day it should come in handy for me when I’m actually in the limelight.

Apart from success in music are there any other goals that you are striving for?

I’m also a Creative Writing student at university so I hope to write a few books in my lifetime get them  published and  also the typical that every up and coming star says: get a restaurant , clothing line, perfume (laughs).. but seriously I hope to fulfil the normal things in life like start a family but also just better myself as a poet and writer.

Any Last Words?

Check out my video on you tube, type in Deadly ‘ Going on Greazy’ and I promise myself daily that my desire will never fade until my name is where it’s supposed to be. Support!!!!

Win Signed Copies of ‘1st Place Greatest Kid’

2009 has been a very big year for the grime scene. a lot of new artists have emerged from literally out of nowhere to establish themselves at the forefront of the scene.

Non more so that Deadly, a female lyricist from East London. her fantastic Debut LP entitled ‘First Place, Greatest Kid’ has received rave reviews from not only “The Road Journal” but also from the most prestigious publications within the UK urban spectrum.

For all you lucky readers of The Road Journal, I have 5 limited edition signed copies of the Ground breaking Product which features production from the likes of Merlin, Sneaker and BASSick.

all you have to do is answer this simple question:

Deadly was a member of a crew which featured Griminal, Maveric & Brutal. what was the name of the crew?

email your answers with your name and address to reloadhiphop@gmail.com

Rapid – E3’s Kanye West???

East London producer come emcee Rapid, has grafted his way to the top with countless production credits to his name. Tracks like ‘Ghetto’s – Top 3 Selected’, ‘Scorcher’s – We Dont Care’ and a barrage of work with Tinchy Stryder and Ruff Sqaud have made Rapid a household name in the Grime Scene.

Rapid has always had the ability to lace a verse down and he expressed his vocal talents on various Ruff Squad products. ‘Go Rapid’ is his newest track and with the immense video quality you can see why it  already causing a buzz on mainstream satelite stations.

so is Rapid E3’s answer to Kanye West, superproducer and some what superemcee. only time will tell but for now just listen and support!!!!

Ghettz – Does It Now!!

East London veteran Ghettz has been at the top of the grime ladder for the last four years and he is not about to leave just yet.

just when critics and fans alike were saying they had not heard from Ghettz since ‘Don’t Phone Me’, he has come back with arguably the best grime track of the year.

‘Does It Now’ is heating up all over the radio airwaves as well as Youtube thanks to Grime Daily.

Look out for ‘Calm Before Storm’ Mix CD coming soon!!!