Stormzy may blaze a trail in his genre but—whether paying homage through a track name, public shoutout or feature—he is the loud and proud reflection of scene originators who came before him. Deepen your understanding of the South London MC with Kano’s emotional openness and agile wordplay, Dizzee Rascal’s uncompromising vision of street life and Wiley’s unabashed celebration of grime’s urgent, dance music DNA. Big Mike’s contemporaries also exploit this tension between the old and new schools of breakneck British rap. Dave and AJ Tracey offer lyrically complex bounce and vigour, whereas Skepta adds a streak of auteurist ambition and the precise snap of his commanding, unhurried flow.
