When the UK Drill scene pops up in conversation, the name LD springs to mind. One of the founding members of Drill group 67, LD dons his mask to take to the mic as the ‘godfather of drill’.
LD emerged with the debut of 8-part project The Masked One in 2018. Offering up a versatile track list and hosting a dynamic programme of guest features.
With a heavyweight discography under his belt, the South London rapper has carved his name into the scene with his distinctive musical essence. With this in mind the question on everyone’s lips is when can we expect with the release of the highly anticipated Who’s Watching? mixtape.
With the release of Who’s Watching imminent, we at GRM Daily are taking the opportunity to pay homage with to LD with a list of his 11 most essential tracks.
“Live Corn”
Released in 2014, “Live Corn” highlighted the beginning of the LD era. The punchy Swagg Beats produced instrumental, encased some of the 67 members most memorable bars. Undeniably, the track went down a treat. Similarly, the visual was greatly received by fans, clocking up 5.5 Million views to date.
“Part 1 (So Fly)” Ft. Young Adz
When it comes to a melodic vocal over a soft tempo, LD recruited the perfect ally in Young Adz to serve up “So Fly”. Both easy on the ear and laid back, the romantic track exposes a new side to the 67 rap star. The pair gel so effortlessly together, both adding their own signature flavours. The end results is an unquestionably charming offering.
“Edgware Road” K Trap x LD
Posing as a guest feature on K Traps 2018 album The Re-Up. LD touches mic to exchange bars with his fellow South London rapper. The pair team up to serve us an infectious tune in the shape of “Edgware Road”, encompassing a conspicuous hook laced between a set of cold verses. In line with the 2018 release date, the punchy track came complimented by a clean-cut visual.
“Church”
Shelling down over an intense, Carns Hill produced beat, LD really brought his raw lyrical content to the forefront of this track. Reflecting on his experiences with prison life, the no-nonsense spitter puts pen to paper and delivers a striking account with nonchalance. The eerie feel of the instrumental really pays dividends to the intensity the darkness constructed here.
“No Face” Reekz MB x LD
Aptly titled, “No Face” hit the scene with force. Reekz and 67 fans alike went mad for the release of the energetic banger. As far as collaborations go, the Sinco produced banger set the pace for a successful drop for the pair. LD was blessing us left, right and centre with musical greatness. It became apparent the rapper was unstoppable.
“Let’s Lurk” Ft. Giggs
2016 owed itself as a huge year for LD and his fellow 67 rappers. With the release of cold album Let’s Lurk, the spotlight was shone on LD as he demonstrated his definitive flair and talent. Joined by Dimzy, Monkey and ASAP, the heavy quartet of spitters enlisted Peckham rapper Giggs to feature on the title track.
Arguably one of the hardest Drill tunes of 2016, the dark beat was permeated with substantial bars and a memorable hook. To carry on the theme, the group shot a sinister feeling visual which ran up over 20 Million views!
“Take It There”
Accompanied by Dimzy, Monkey and ASAP once again, the Brixton crew ignite a spark amongst fans with the 2016 release of ‘Take It There”. No strangers to spitting over a Carns Hill production, the four rappers go in- in true 67 fashion. Almost 5 years on from the release, this one presents itself as a straight-up throwback.
“67k What Where!?”
Nothing short of contagious, “67k What Where!?” was crying out for a place on this list of bangers! Even upon hearing the track title, the memorable hook is on loop in your head. The second track to appear here from 2015 album In Skengs We Trust, this heavy-headed banger serves up yet more drill nostalgia. LD and Dimzy certainly did bits here.
“#WAPS”
“#WAPS” saw LD, Monkey and Dimzy team up to sculpt a banger with Carns Hill on the buttons once more. Safe to say the Brixton based trio mean business here. With no-nonsense bars and an ominous instrumental, the 5th release from 67 emerged onto the scene. As it did, the appearance of the hard track just reinforced why the names of the 67 crew were on the lips of many.
“6 Lords” Ft. Mental K
Mental K is no stranger to joining forces with 67 for a gassed up collaboration. This time around LD enlists the rapper to swap verses over a distorted, drill-infused beat. The 2019 offering possesses a sincere intensity by virtue of the swift bars and hooks entangled in the Carns Hill composition. In concession the single, the UK drill duo offered up a red-hot visual to follow the deep tune.
“Hard Way” Ft. Monkey & Nana Dams
LD and Nana Dams joined fellow 67 spitter Monkey for a hard hitting accolade to life on the roads. “Hard Way” seriously compels the exposure of raw lyrical content. Nana holds down the thought provoking chorus with ease, whilst Monkey and LD masterfully lay down a set of captivating verses. A real sense of clarity is established throughout the easy-going tune. With such versatility shown by LD, “Hard Way” deserves an appearance as an Essential banger.
Let us know some of your favourites from LD on the socials!