The new kids shaping the UK hip hop & garage scene

From grime’s unapologetic story-telling to the bouncy realm of garage, British music does its own thing; it moulds subcultures, soundtracks raves and serves the world realness. We got to know some of the OGs and new Gs behind UK music as they owned the Relentless stage at Leeds festival 2018.

Rude Kid

East London producer and DJ Rude Kid is the soul of grime raves. He’s been doing bits since ’07, working with the likes of Ghetts and Skepta; but now he’s fully immersing himself in music without sticking to a genre.

Did you grow up with the guys on the grime scene?

Nah I didn’t know anyone! It’s all through music. My whole aim was to get my music heard and when it did everything worked.

How do you feel about people saying that grime’s dead?

Nah come on. If I’m not dead, grime’s not dead.

How do you pick who features on your tracks these days?

I just go for talent I don’t really go for the name anymore. My new single is with a girl called Nahli, she’s not really known but she was an amazing singer I saw on Instagram so we linked up on that.

Wise words for the rave?

Be safe and don’t do drugs. I’m anti-drugs.

Madam X

She co-founded Manchester club-night BPM, Big People Music; Madam X fluidly fleets from techno to grime to garage, merging a range of electronic sounds. And the Milton Keynes babe is as hot as her mixes (she somehow pulled off a penis bra at Lovebox).

What has been your best festival experience?     

Definitely Manana in Cuba. I lived off the grid for two weeks, it was just really present and amazing.

What do you miss most about Milton Keynes?

My cat.

How would you describe your sound?        

Dark like my hair and my soul.

What’s next?

More festivals and then I’m back in the US in October. Just generally touring and enjoying what life has to offer.

The Manor

They’re our fave cockney wide boys; Beckenham’s rap trio The Manor are brutally honest, witty and they love the sesh. Despite retiring in 2014, they’re back in full force doing the most.

What has been your favourite festival experience?

Danny: Tonight

Jonny: I had an hour’s kip last night, it took us about 5 hours to drive up here and I thought I wasn’t going to be up for it, but as soon as we were out there it was fucking vibes.

Dream collaboration?

Jonny: Jamiroquai or MoStack.

Danny: Dua Lipa.

Scotty: Octavian.

They’re all so different! What genre is your music?

Jonny: We ain’t a genre, we would hate to fit into a genre.

What’s next?

Jonny: The album which will be number one in April. It’s called Greatest Hits.

Masterpeace & DEADCVPRI (at Ammi Boyz)

Masterpeace and DEADCVPRI (NTN) were just two performing with Ammi Boyz; the young rappers’ energy was electric and addictive. Masterpeace rode the crowd like nobody’s business.

Describe your sound in three words.

Masterpeace: Rockstar. Alternative. Left.

Who listens to your music?

Masterpeace: Teenage girls whose parents don’t want them to listen to black people music.

Who do you guys compare yourselves to?

DEADCVPRI: Michael Jackson

M: Kurt Cobain, Lil Peep, Phil Collins.

What do you guys do before a set?     

M: I actually scream to stretch my voice coz you don’t know how far your voice can go until you scream. I just do a mad-ting.

 

Photography
Amelia Holden-Brown
Text
Sadie Bargeron