by Alex Griffin
What’s great about the young and developing scene we have in London (and beyond), is the sheer diversity of it. It seems every day a new artist is coming to our attention, sounding new and innovative and original, yet still so distinctly British. Artists are getting weird and artists are getting experimental, and it’s due time we started highlighting some of these creatives that may otherwise slip under our radar. It’s not every day reload bar season, sometimes it’s good to hear something different, something that can defy genre – although the new Daily Duppy season has kicked off – and so we’ve devised this new weekly column for you: Go Left, GRM’s guide to the best alternative grime, hip-hop and R&B out there.
Remember to check out Go Left [001] right here and [002] here too.
KwolleM – “Avada Kedavra” (ft. P Money)
Mellow Grime pioneer KwolleM released a P Money remix that samples Voldemort: I feel like I need not say more than that to get you to listen. The track comes dark and cold like the killing curse it’s named after, the riddim as cinematic as it is dramatic. The vocal is an accapella of P Money’s legendary “Left The Room”, it’s aggression complimenting the sinister weirdness KwolleM produces with his drum kit.
Neverland Clan – “Free Omelet”
Neverland Clan’s work rate stays strong as they make it a hat trick of appearances on “Go Left”. This time, the only core member on wax is Ryan Hawaii, although honourary clan member Lil Tesco from Birmingham checks in for the opening verse. The track is hazy and angry, being birthed out of a situation in which Omelet was roughed up by security – the clan got to work – and then the Yokey one was jailed.
DIPS – “Square One” (ft. Dani Sofiya)
Last week I caught some slack on Twitter, as someone @’d me this tune, angry that I hadn’t posted it. It came out after the article had been published, but big up you because it got me listening anyway. “Square One” is a beautifully soul-tinged hip-hop track, with a glittery instrumental that is reminiscent of some of LA producer Flying Lotus’ work. DIPS paints pictures with his lyrics, while Dani Sofiya’s soothing vocals float effortlessly.
Bobii Lewis – “Crucify”
R&B/soul vibemaster Bobii Lewis doesn’t come straight out of left field, but the Renowned singer’s vibe on new track “Crucify” fits right in on the pages of Go Left. It’s a tune that crosses sonics from various different genres, with elements of reggae and rock & roll thrown in for good measure too. Expect big things from him as he looks to continue gaining a grip on the industry in 2016.
SBTRKT – “Maybe” (ft. Andrew Ashong & Sampha)
This isn’t strictly a new release, but electronic producer SBTRKT re-released his track “Maybe” onto Soundcloud, to let anybody hear it who hadn’t checked out the ‘Woner Where We Land’ bonus track until now. The feel good track also features contributions from Forest Hill songwriter and producer Andrew Ashong, as well as of course Sampha, who has been working on tracks with Drake and Kanye West in his spare time.