Take yourself back to April 2017 and you’ll remember the time that, kind of out of the blue, our current Prime Minister Theresa May called a snap election. Whether you follow politics or not you will likely know that the results were a bit of a flop for Theresa. Although she won the race to Prime Minister, masses were drawn to her opposition, Jeremy Corbyn, in a very big way.
His political background, genuine approach and real empathy for the people gained Corbyn support across the country. It was his connection with one particular group of people, those associated with grime, that really got the world talking. Fresh after being nominated for a NME music moment of the year award, I sat down with Becka Hudson, one of the key players in the project that gained such global attention, to chat about the Grime 4 Corbyn movement and how it all started.
B: “When the snap election was called, several prominent grime artists including AJ Tracey, Novelist and JME voiced their support for Corbyn and Labour, so a conversation was opened up.
“In terms of the event, really it was just a group of mates who originally thought look, let’s make a website and put it out there, say to people you can win tickets if you register to vote and we might get a bit of interest. If it doesn’t work out we can fill a little one hundred and fifty cap venue with our mates and we’ll have some DJ’s and MC’s we know, it’ll be fine.”
It was more than just fine. The event went viral and the already existing hashtag #Grime4Corbyn was being used everywhere, now in connection with the event.
B: “We must have had 8000 -10,000 hits on the first day, then 40,000 – 60,000 the next day then the day after that back to 8000 -10,000.
“It was everywhere. The Boy Better Know Wikipedia page was edited so Corbyn was the latest member of the crew, as well as the Labour Manifesto being added to their discography.
“It was a cultural moment that was happening anyway, we just solidified it by making a website.”
The size of the event needed to be reconsidered after the huge response, with around 6000 people registering with the site. Eventually, Grime 4 Corbyn enlisted 35 artists across the two events that were both held on the 3rd June 2017, one being in north London and the other in Brighton. Crucially, so many different people with a wide range of skill sets reached out to the group with offerings of support and help.
B: “The love and support we got from everyone was amazing. From the venue to the tech people to the DJs to the merch guys who got in contact with us and made the t-shirts. Whatever it was people got in contact with us and really wanted it to work. We got messages from young people in Wales and Scotland, all over the UK, who let us know this is really cool.”
There were, however, critics. Some of the mainstream media were vocal in their stance against what the project stood for and the reasons why young people were backing Corbyn in such a big way.
B: “The level of attention we got from the mainstream media stemmed from them questioning why this geography teacher looking politician has the backing of all these younger people, it looked funny to them and they had to investigate more.
“Some of the media were saying that young people are just dumb. That because their favourite celebrity said that they like someone they’re just going to copy and vote for them, or that it was all to get free uni tuition.
“Sure tuition fees are a problem for the youth but so is housing, so is the NHS. Young people don’t only hang around other young people who want to go uni for free. It’s such a reductive view.
“With all of the artists that we worked with, we had conversations with them about their political views, their social views, how they understood the world and what they thought of Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn. At the event people’s own views were evident, there were so many people on stage saying big up the NHS. It wasn’t all like “oh Jezza he’s jokes”, they were talking about his policy platform.
“There were so many journalists who really got it and so many that came to the event had some great things to say, in fact, the vast majority did. But in a lot of conversations I’ve had since then, there’s been this wilful misunderstanding, again and again of thinking young people are all the same, that they’re really simplistic and only care about themselves and celebrities. Its an underestimation of young people and youth culture. It happened with the rave scene, it happened with garage, it always happens.
“But now, since the event, you have the media coming to young people for comment on social issues. They went to AJ Tracey to talk about Grenfell. Obviously, Lowkey and Akala have always been political voices as hip-hop artists, but I don’t know if the results of the election hadn’t been as they were, if Channel 4 would have turned to them for a comment that many times.”
Another major event from 2017, the horrific fire at Grenfell Tower, is something the group were approached by the media for comment on in the immediate aftermath. What here can be done to help?
B: “It’s been 7 months since Grenfell, and no justice seems to be on the horizon. People are still in hotels, people haven’t held funerals. For the people involved it’s not done at all.
“What’s important when it comes to helping with Grenfell is checking with community organisations that have been working from the ground before the fire even happened on what assistance is needed. West has a strong network of community and cultural organisations that have been there a long time. I think it’s really important to do that, as people want to rush in and help but with a subject so sensitive you can inadvertently upset others. It’s really important to do your research on who is doing what and where needs your help. One concrete thing people can do there is attend the silent walk on the 14th of every month, starting outside Kensington town hall.
“The walk insists that we remember that it happened and does not get forgotten. People say we should be protesting loudly but believe me, the silence on that walk is the loudest you’ve ever heard. It gives you goosebumps. One solid thing you can do is show up for that march and when you’re there talk to people about what they need. Insist that those people do not get forgotten. There needs to be justice. There are still so many people living in places with the same cladding. There are people living in fear.”
Aside from helping those after the horrendous events at Grenfell, there’s a whole host of social issues in the UK that need addressing. For anyone reading this that’s on the boundaries of getting more involved, we asked Becka her advice.
B: “My first bit of advice is seeing if your peers feel the same and then starting something. That’s what we did and that’s what happens all the time. There’s a Margaret Mead quote which says, ‘Never doubt that a small and committed group can change the world, in fact, that’s the only thing that ever has’ and I think that’s very true.
“If you are surrounded by people that aren’t that interested in the same things as you then I think the internet is a blessing. If it’s a particular issue, say around housing, art, the NHS or if there’s something else that you feel is burning importance for you, there are all types of local community groups that exist that you can get involved in. If you’re shy just bring someone, you can just learn so much about what they’re doing.
“We had groups at the event like The Forefront project, who are working with young people around youth violence. People like, Slix who does the Ruff Sqwad Arts Foundation. There are so many projects that are supporting communities in a vast range of ways. Just get up and do it, be involved. Never underestimate the power of people doing that. You can come up with all types of creative ideas on how to address a social issue which is of importance to you. Anyone who is interested in us can just email at any time.”
As we get further into 2018, what’s next for the movement? Is there any chance of another general election?
B: “I think there will be one soon. There’s such a level of discontent with what they’re (the Conservatives) doing and there’s such massive political change going on that I think there will be some kind of election, but they are holding off as long as possible because they think they are not going to do very well.
“What made my heart so happy through this experience is all of the people we met whilst we were working, all of the people, the organisations, even just putting people in touch with each other, there’s a family around that and that’s what we shouldn’t let go to waste. As a group, we haven’t got anything concrete planned but we need to meet and discuss our ideas about where people want to take it next and what we need to do. Election time we’ll be back and next time we’ll have more than 3 and a half weeks!”
Grime 4 Corbyn is nominated for a music moment of the year at the NME awards which are being held on the 14th of February.