The GRM Staff are back, to once again provide you all with some of our favourite tracks out right now, in what is our fourth instalment of #GRMStaffPicks. Catch up with previous instalments here: 001, 002, 003, 004
Vidal
So I was lucky enough to attend the last “Tropical” event at Fabric, which Giggs unexpectedly shut down. Other than Jme performing his favourite cuts from ‘Integrity >’, one of the highlights was getting to hear this track- “Side by Side” ft Big H, Prez T and Bossman Birdie by Sir Spyro in a club element. “Side by Side” is nothing but vibes and one to bubble to, despite featuring some of the most elusive MC’s the genre has to offer, I hope it gets the radio play it deserves. Hats off to Spyro for the production. If you want to hear it premiered with all the wheel ups, explosions and so forth. Hop on to BBC iPlayer and stream Cameo’s show from last night.
Hendrix
After catching up with Rayf and being played some exclusive material, I was really excited for this one song to be released. Luckily for us it was premiered exclusively on GRM Daily! The track is likely to be on the upcoming ‘Monkey’ EP and samples the 1999 Kele Le Roc hit “My Love”. Check out self-produced “4:22” below for some fresh new vibes from Rayf.
Rene
This week’s pick for me has to be Skepta’s “Shutdown” Remix featuring Idris Elba, a.k.a Stringer Bell, a.k.a Luther. In the acting world Idris is one of the top tier performers on screen, but clearly acting isn’t the only thing he specialises in, switching to DJ Big Driis when it comes to shutting down the Ibiza closing party or a club in London.
Sounding like a veteran mic man on the remix, MC Idris hits them with cold flows and witty bars literally shutting ish down!
Elle
If this didn’t catch your attention when it dropped, I’m going to assume you’ve been hiding under a rock and give you very clear instructions for this video: Watch. Listen. Repeat. My pick this week is the pure madness that occurred when Bonkz passed through Toddla T’s show and tore a new hole in the Pepper Riddim. Within almost 3 whole minutes of swift flows and witty bars, he manages to find time to take jabs at Westwood for trying to get him on a Crib session before even playing Bonkaz’ song of the summer (“We Run The Block”) and let us know he’s already made his 2nd, 3rd AND 4th single. I think everyone’s gonna have problems when they drop- as if this freestyle and the first single weren’t problematic enough. Having just announced he’ll be putting in two shifts at Glastonbury too, this hot boy has definitely had a couple hot months and he ain’t slowing down for sh!t. Bonkaz FTW.
Caroline
Following the release of Section Boyz “Trappin Ain’t Dead” (arguably one of the biggest rap bangers this year btw) the Alwayz Recording camp returns to tease another track from their forthcoming mixtape ‘AR15 Presents: The Concrete Jungle’. Sampling what sounds like Ciara’s “Oh”, producer Nana Rogues needs to be applauded for the beat on this one. Aptly titled “Out In The Jungle”, the infectious instrumental actually sounds like a tropical movie soundtrack; and while no verse is overly wild (pardon the pun), each rappers bars flow perfectly alongside one another. Have a listen as Squeeks, Sneakbo, Dubz, Stormzy and Mr Bigz go back to back.
Alex
By now we all know about J Hus, the East London MC straight out of the New Gen, who’s Afrobeat style of delivery has generated quite the buzz around him. After a number of hard street tunes – like “Dem Boy Paigon” and “No Lie” – amassed over one million YouTube hits, Husla has taken a different approach with his newest track “Lean & Bop”. His same infectious vocal approach is still intact, but the beat is a more house-inspired banger, with a fun video to boot. It might be a reach, but this song could break the mainstream.
Bernie Mac (aka The Oracle)
This is dope. And it apparantly it was shot for £40. Mad ting.
Leave your thoughts in the comments section below and let us know what you think over on Twitter:
@GRMDAILY | @upintheV | @HENDRIXNASH | @Ren_GRM | @ElleSMx | @carolinesm | @GRIFFandish