To different generations, Dizzee Rascal means different things. To one, he is part of the group (alongside Wiley and a handful of other performers) that…
Featured Artist February 2019 – Jehst
For February we take a look at everyone’s favourite postman (or so the publicity stunt went) Jehst also known as Billy Brimstone or The High…
Featured Artist January 2019: London Posse
For those who don’t know London Posse, their status at the top table of UK hip-hop can perhaps be seen as confusing given an output…
Featured Artist December 2018: Cookie Crew
At one point, Cookie Crew were easily one of the most successful British hip-hop groups to pick up the microphone. Formed in 1983 in Clapham,…
Featured Artist November 2018: Blade
Blade can be seen as one of those rappers that epitomises the early years of UK hip-hop. Fiercely independent and immensely hard-working, he was able…
Featured Artist October 2018: Newtrament
Where best to start the featured artist section than with the person credited as creating the first UK hip-hop track, Bertram Johnson also known as…
Cockney Translation: Smiley Culture, Fast Chat and its effect on UK Hip-Hop
To quote Kool Herc, ‘hip-hop and reggae are cousins’. I’m sure most people reading this are familiar with the origins of hip-hop. A young Jamaican…
All in the Ghetto: Gentrification and Hip-Hop in London
The song above is by Anglo-German band Jahcoozi, who’s vocalist is a London-born Sri Lankan woman called Sasha Perera. The song, “Takin Your Streets”, is…
The Merit of London Posse
A few days ago I was talking to a friend of mine who asked me why Rodney P is considered the first British rapper. This…
How’s Life in London: An Historical and Sociological Analysis of the London Hip-Hop Scene
‘Rap music changes faces in different societies’ (Krims, 2000: 5). Whatever your opinion on hip-hop, its impact on contemporary popular music cannot be denied. From…