American Grime

 

Album Name: American Grime: Disciples v1
Record Label: American Grime Records
Release Date: December 16, 2016

Tracklisting:

Dev79 – Grim Lord
Cubs – Fury
Korin Complex – Warlock
Jon Brown the Rebel – Qrazy Train
Bookz – Lurker Riddim
Fill Spectre – Lost
6Blocc – Armageddon
Panda – Deadline
Cotti – Ucking Wit Us

_____________________________

Available at the following retailers:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/5GBusvIDI2rjBUlePSzzKv

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/american-grime-disciples-v1/id1181542643

Google Play: American Grime – Disciples v1

Amazon: http://a.co/79F9xSI

What is Grime?

    So many music lovers across the country have both asked, and answered this question over the last few years, as UK MC’s have been coming “Across The Pond” to perform for US crowds. In doing so, these artists have started a movement that has gained momentum and is now at the cusp of a full on US takeover. Grime, simply put, is a genre of music that emerged in London in the early 2000s and is primarily a development of UK garage and jungle with an MC spitting half time over it. However, that description is fairly basic. As the years have passed, since Dizzee Rascal caught the ears of NYC MCs in 2002 and 2003, Grime itself has evolved. With artists such as Sir Spyro, Stormzy, Wiley, Kahn, Neek, T Man, and many others taking the sound and making it their own, Grime has become so big, and goes well with so many other genres, that DJs across the world are working various forms of it into their sets. As a result, Grime has taken root here in America. One artist has taken it upon himself to establish a label and showcase the US Grime artists that have been paying dues and pushing the sound stateside. Calvin Cyrus, better known as MC Jumanji, has been at the forefront of the American Grime movement and has single handedly pushed the sound to bigger spaces with his own releases, as well as the “Oh My Grime” nights in Miami. Having put out a number of releases himself, this American Grime release is different because it is not a Jumanji release, but an American Grime release consisting of nine tunes from various artists across the spectrum of bass music. Each artist has fully immersed themselves into the Grime sound and each artist has come up with a tune which they believe represents their sound within the realm of Grime

From the start of this album, the beats come out swinging hard. 6Blocc’s “Armageddon” is dark and bass heavy with murky snares, subtle high hats and blank space that comes back with a drop (for lack of a better term) that grabs you by the chest. Bookz’ “Lurker Riddim” has a nice flow with the string section sample, only to hit you with a womping bass line reminiscent of 2009 style dubstep. Cotti comes in tough with “Ucking Wid Us”, a tune that starts as a traditional Grime beat with a hint of dancehall, but flips to a trap style beat at the break, catching us all off-guard and making us throw our hands up. Riddim boss, Cubs, steps out of his typical sound to give us “Fury”, a seriously dark sounding tune with heavy bass lines and fat percussion that gives it an “eyes down, head nod” vibe. Dev79’s “Grim Lord” is a percussion and synth driven tune that takes every sound within it and disperses it so perfectly that it almost sounds like a minimal bass music track (if it weren’t for that slamming percussion). Fill Spectre’s “Lost” almost sounds like two tunes within one. It starts with a build-up that could stand alone as its own song, with its fat kicks and snares and high wobbling synth that compliments the bass line too perfectly. Then, suddenly, it drops to a bass heavy tune with an almost “breaks” like beat and deeper synths that sound seriously mean.  John Brown The Rebel answers with “Qrazy Train”, a traditional sounding Grime tune in a sense that it is all bass line, synth and snare with kicks added to the break for a ‘one, two’ punch like beat, that Grime enthusiasts love so much. Korin Complex’s “Warlock” is similar, but instead of switching up to the ‘one, two’ punch altogether, it has an element of the 140 kick and snare layered over it, forcing you to listen to two perfectly matched beats at once. Panda finishes it with “Deadline”, a very traditional sounding Grime tune that MC’s around the world will be wanting to flex their skills on.

This release is a serious statement and a massive step forward for Grime in America. With artists that span the spectrum of bass music putting their hats into the Grime ring, who knows where Grime in the US will go, and where it will take all of us who are here for the ride. As more fans and DJs are exposed to the sound, like dubstep in the US in 2006, its only going to move forward and evolve from here. Never the less, we have to give credit where credit is due, and with that said, we want to say big up to MC Jumanji for all his tireless efforts to continue to push Grime in America. American Grime is here, it’s a force to be reckoned with and it’s not going anywhere anytime soon.

DiS_1, Sub.Mission, Denver, CO

Welcome to #YaGetMe – a dive into the American Grime Scene to get to know the artists who continue to push their passion and their sound.

Dread style is nothing to play with. You must possess the dread vibe, the dread tongue and the dread soul. In New Orleans, the bass scene is blessed by a true Dread don. Having vocalled tunes and shows alike, this man’s talents are undeniable. This is an introduction to an MC who answers to no one but the man above ..

This is Werd2Jah.

---

Introduce yourself. Tell us who you are and what you do.

My name is Andrew, also known as Werd2jaH, emcee, host and vocalist. Currently residing in New Orleans Louisiana, repping Versed Records, and the CHURCH* crew. 

Since you’ve been in music, who have been your major influences?

My influences in music has primarily been the old school stage show and early dancehall deejays, Reagan, Little Jon, Supercat, Yellowman, Cutty Ranks, Buro Banton, John Wayne, Nicodemus, rapper Robert, and so on. 

Link me to your Top 3 Favorite songs right now.

Hatcha & Kromestar – Minimum 

RekChampa – Rollers

Caribou – Odessa

What does American Grime mean to you?

It’s the culture and movement that is the U.K. Grime sound but with an american flavor and twist to it. American producers, DJ’s and mc’s who have had a deep love and appreciation for the grime scene and are putting in an effort to expand and spread the sound and culture further. 

What American Grime artists (producer or mc) do you like?

Gotta give it up to Argyle and Jumanji, emcees holding it down lyrically on them higher bpms. 

Favorite toppings on a pizza?

Pepperoni, olives, mushrooms, anchovies, and absolutely no pineapples haha

Any shout outs?

Out to all my friends and family who have continually supported me throughout the years. Special shouts to the Nola CHURCH* fam, Blaise b, dat bizness, dirty crew, lazer , nome, quickie mart, unicorn fukr, all the labels and producers and DJ’s who have reached out and collaborated and release my music. 

---

Find more on Werd2Jah at the following:

https://soundcloud.com/werd2jah
https://www.facebook.com/Werd2jah1
https://twitter.com/werd2jah

Welcome to #YaGetMe – a dive into the American Grime Scene to get to know the artists who continue to push their passion and their sound.

Tapped to be a don of the east coast dubstep scene, this producer looks to put the same vice on grime. With a release forthcoming on American Grime Records: Disciples v1, the secret will soon be out. Representing Florida’s growing bass scene…

This is Cubs.

---

Introduce yourself. Tell us who you are and what you do.

My name is Mike, I produce dubstep and grime under the alias Cubs. I currently reside in Palm Beach County Florida. Lowr Levls is the crew i represent.

Since you’ve been in music, who have been your major influences?

Early on the darker, wonky bassline sounds of AD, Curzed, A3 influenced alot of my current dubstep sound. Mystry has always been a major grime influence. Enigma dubz is another big one.

Link me to your Top 3 Favorite songs right now.

Sir Spyro – Topper Top ft. Teddy Bruckshot

Mystry – Reptiles

Dave East – One Way

What does American Grime mean to you?

Grime, culturally, will always revolve around it’s UK roots. The sound and culture of the scene is very specifically involved with the UK. To me, American Grime is a platform for the producers, mcs, and Dj’s pushing the movement outside of that community.  It’s an evolution of Grime’s origins, and a platform for fans and listeners who normally would not be exposed to the genre.

What American Grime artists (producer or mc) do you like?

Alot of the dubstep guys over here have been producing some really interesting grime tracks. Crowell and Benzmixer specifically. Alot of UK MC’s have been reaching out towards some of us American producers, it’s pretty inspiring.

Favorite toppings on a pizza?

Extra Cheese, Pepperoni

Any shout outs?

Anyone supporting me. My friends. Lowr Levls. All the labels that have released my music <3

---

Find more on Cubs at the following:

Video by:
Carlo Javier