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.
Be sure to check out last weeks column of dopeness right here too.
Jay Prince – “Homecoming/Love Is”
To celebrate the news that he (alongside Little Simz) appeared on the XXL Freshman long list, Jay Prince released a new celebratory song called “Homecoming/Love Is”. The instrumental is jolly and wonky, while Jay flexes a melodic flow that may *just* a tiny bit sound like Kendrick Lamar. Still, this is feel good vibes to the fullest.
GRIM – “Problems” (ft. Manga)
South-Midlands based singer/songwriter/producer GRIM took a different angle on his latest track “Problems”, alongside Roll Deep representer Manga. His production is more trap-influenced than his previous smooth R&B offerings, while the lyrics are more hateful. Both artists do their individual tings on the instrumental and both lyrically put their middle finger up to a difficult woman.
JD. Reid – “Rōshi” (ft. D Double E)
Rinse FM producer and DJ JD. Reid has this week released his ‘io’ EP and it’s well worth a download if you haven’t already. Just listen to this ridiculous banger with D Double E on vocals, called “Rōshi”. It blends elements of grime and large, unrelenting festival trap, making for a rave-ready banger that could take the roof off of any club.
Allana Verde – “Warning”
Young and upcoming R&B songstress Allana Verde has definitely got soul. This week she released a very dope reworking of Notorious B.I.G.’s infamous “Warning” record, flipping it into something totally new and original. Over a remixed beat courtesy of the legendary Davinche, she sends a warning shot out to any second rate girls trying to steal her man. I wouldn’t get on the wrong side of this one!
Jordan Sefton – “Scenery” (ft. Shayne Brown & Reem Remi)
Fresh off the back of releasing his debut EP ‘Animal Kingdom’, Jordan Sefton is back with another release, alongside Shayne Brown and Reem Remi. “Scenery” is a gorgeous piece of boom-bap, full of vibrant string sections, a soulful chorus and some crisp , picture-painting lyrics. This is the kind of scenery we at Go Left love to have a look at.