Flashback to one of Azealia Banks' more recent Twitter outbursts, in which she found herself initially making racial remarks toward Zayn Malik, formerly of One Direction, before being involved in a Twitter fight with 14-year-old Disney star Skai Jackson. Following this, the "212" rapper aimed some comments toward the UK music scene, specifically addressing her opinion that the UK cannot produce rap music to the same quality as those artists in the States.
So what exactly was Banks talking about? She was referring to the cultural reflection of the streets of London known as "grime." What is grime? Grime is not rap. Grime originated in the early 2000's as an adaptation of UK garage music. It is typically spoken lyrics performed at 140 beats per minute, making it fast-paced and loud. There are huge similarities between rap music and grime music. Artists from the U.K. that have traveled to the U.S., such as Dizzee Rascal and Tinie Tempah, among others, do perform rap music, but originated from the grime scene. (It is a transferable genre of music; recently, Krept & Konan, a duo from London made a very successful rap album "The Long Way Home" featuring many of the leading faces of the rap game in the States; including Rick Ross, YG, Wiz Khalifa, and more.) Dizzee Rascal, previously mentioned, is actually credited by many as being one of the leading forces in the development of the grime scene, along with Wiley, Kano, Lethal Bizzle and Skepta.
Why should you care? Grime has been around for a long time, although maybe not for as long as rap music. It's not new, but it's certainly growing. The grime movement is quickly heading over to North America, highlighted by the fact that one of the largest artists in the world, Drake, signed to Skepta's label Boy Better Know (BBK). Skepta himself has just finished a tour, playing many venues in North America. Along with this, U.K. artists such as Stormzy and Krept & Konan are definitely pushing to break the U.S. and sell records within the next few years.
Will Azealia Banks eat her words? Can the U.K. produce good urban music? Grime or rap? For reference, check out Skepta's "Konnichiwa" album, JME's "Integrity," Wretch 32's "Black and White," and the previously mentioned "The Long Way Home" by Krept & Konan.
