Due to college and work etc etc I havent posted for ages. New posts will come soon though so keep your eyes peeled! Happy New Year for everyone in 2010!
If your on twitter you can follow me on www.twitter.com/reggieofficial
Saturday, 9 January 2010
Thursday, 1 October 2009
MOBO MADNESS!?
Seriously, what happened last night? Peter Andre doing the back stage interviews? JLS not singing at all? (no disrespect boys but it doesnt take talent to mouth along to a song, I for one do it every morning on the 89) and biggest par of all Tinchy Stryder leaving with NOTHING!?
I lock onto the MOBO's every year, not because I nescessarily agree with nominess, winners etc but because it is the only time grime artists can come remotely close to getting a glimpse of an award, let alone winning one. Yet year after year, like many others around the UK I am disappointed with the outcome.
So why did I think this year would be any different? In two words, Tinchy Stryder. Not only did he bag two number one singles, but his album charted at number two in its first week on sale. Don't get me wrong, the album had a lot more 'pop' music that most of us would of liked, but he has in the last 9 months worked hard to maintain his grime following. With all that he has achieved how did stryder manage to leave with nothing? Is it fixed? or are the guys at MOBO just out of touch? Well whatever it was that caused this, to quote Stryder himself:
'So I didnt win a mobo after havin da highest selling urban single of the year and sellin over 1million singles this year, cool. F the MOBOs' from Twitter.
For a full list of this years winners head to www.mobo.com and while your on your internet travels be sure to head over to www.grimewarehouse.com,
Until the next time,
Reg.
I lock onto the MOBO's every year, not because I nescessarily agree with nominess, winners etc but because it is the only time grime artists can come remotely close to getting a glimpse of an award, let alone winning one. Yet year after year, like many others around the UK I am disappointed with the outcome.
So why did I think this year would be any different? In two words, Tinchy Stryder. Not only did he bag two number one singles, but his album charted at number two in its first week on sale. Don't get me wrong, the album had a lot more 'pop' music that most of us would of liked, but he has in the last 9 months worked hard to maintain his grime following. With all that he has achieved how did stryder manage to leave with nothing? Is it fixed? or are the guys at MOBO just out of touch? Well whatever it was that caused this, to quote Stryder himself:
'So I didnt win a mobo after havin da highest selling urban single of the year and sellin over 1million singles this year, cool. F the MOBOs' from Twitter.
For a full list of this years winners head to www.mobo.com and while your on your internet travels be sure to head over to www.grimewarehouse.com,
Until the next time,
Reg.
Sunday, 20 September 2009
www.grimewarehouse.com
Just a really quick entry to let you know that new website www.grimewarehouse.com has now launched. To check out the M.I.K interview before it is added to the blog lock on now!
www.grimewarehouse.com
or email any enquiries to info@grimewarehouse.com
Thanks,
Reg.
www.grimewarehouse.com
or email any enquiries to info@grimewarehouse.com
Thanks,
Reg.
Thursday, 3 September 2009
Don't Par GrimeKids, We're educated.
It seems to be the general opinion in Britain today that we have a nation of uneducated, unmotivated youths. The media would happily let you think that anyone currently between the ages of 13 and 24 today are either alcoholics, Druggies, dealers, shoplifters or any random combination of the aforementioned. Being 17 at the moment myself I have grown accustomed to the looks I receive from the moment I step onto a bus or train. Some are looks of fear, whilst others glare and make snide comments to those they are with about the problems with 'young people'. I doubt many of them are aware that I am probably heading to either college, work or one of my volunteering posts which ironically are to support older people. Nor do they realise that before I got onto said bus, I halved the volume of my iPod, despite the fact that the latest set from rinse fm really does deserved to be listened to at full volume.
Because of the way we are represented in the media, you'd be forgiven for thinking that grime fans (or 'rap music' fans are so often incorrectly labelled) were the thickest, most out of control of the lot. Don't get me wrong I'm sure there are plenty who are destined for a life on the doll, but thats nothing new to this generation. I like many other people are surrounded by friends and family who are out of work, whether by choice or because of the recession. But I myself hve no intention of becoming one of them and by the looks of things, neither do these guys.......
Chipmunk; A Levels
Everyone has a different opinion on Mr Munk at the moment. For me personally his music around the time he made 'League of my Own' was better than the pop he makes now but I have a lot of respect for his workrate and the success that he has had. This year he recieved a 'B' in Drama, a 'C' in sociology and a 'D' in Critical Thinking. It is only fair to say that for someone who has been touring and recording at the same time, his grades are a great achievement and a testament to his work ethic.
Tinchy Stryder; BA Hons Degree
Tinchy Stryder has had two number one singles in 2009 and his album charted at number two, only beaten to number one by the latest release from regular chart topper Calvin Harris. Whilst staying true to grime with a series of promotional releases made free for his fans and Grime tracks on his album he has also completed a BA hons Degree in Moving Image and Animation. He was able to complete his degree at the University of East London because his mainstream success came towards the end of his final year, but he has been a musician since the tender age of 13.
Tinie Tempah; A Levels
Tinie Tempah is renowned for his grime hits. Though he may not be able to boast the same mainstream success as Chipmunk and Tinchy, he is very well respected within the Urban Music community. With singles like 'Tears', 'Wifey' and of course 'Hood Economics' it is even more impressive than it would have been already that he achieved 10 GCSEs and 3 A Levels.
JME; BA Hons Degree
You can't really have a full on conversation about grime without JME entering the frame at some point. Together with the likes of his brother Skepta and godfather of grime Wiley he founded BBK. His hit single 'series' sold over 20,000 copies. Oh and he also managed to fit in a BA Hons Degree in 3D Graphic Design.
So Just with those four in mind. Maybe its not as bad as some people would have you believe. All the time many young people are using their time wisely and making a positive impact on their peers, older generations really needn't worry. Education is just as important to grime artists, fans and bloggers as it is to anyone else. I myself am currently working towards 4 A Levels.
Maybe the negativity should be put one side and instead, the focus of the government and the media should be on those who are caught up in gangs and violence and who struggle in school. Many of us are surrounded by violence and poverty but do our best to overcome it, but not everyone does. Surely those are the people who need the help and attention.
To read more about the artist above, use the links below to visit their myspace page:
www.myspace.com/chipmunkartist
www.myspace.com/tinchystryder
www.myspace.com/tinielegend
www.myspace.com/JMESerious
Look out for my next blog which will feature an interview with up and coming grime artist MIK.
Because of the way we are represented in the media, you'd be forgiven for thinking that grime fans (or 'rap music' fans are so often incorrectly labelled) were the thickest, most out of control of the lot. Don't get me wrong I'm sure there are plenty who are destined for a life on the doll, but thats nothing new to this generation. I like many other people are surrounded by friends and family who are out of work, whether by choice or because of the recession. But I myself hve no intention of becoming one of them and by the looks of things, neither do these guys.......
Chipmunk; A Levels
Everyone has a different opinion on Mr Munk at the moment. For me personally his music around the time he made 'League of my Own' was better than the pop he makes now but I have a lot of respect for his workrate and the success that he has had. This year he recieved a 'B' in Drama, a 'C' in sociology and a 'D' in Critical Thinking. It is only fair to say that for someone who has been touring and recording at the same time, his grades are a great achievement and a testament to his work ethic.
Tinchy Stryder; BA Hons Degree
Tinchy Stryder has had two number one singles in 2009 and his album charted at number two, only beaten to number one by the latest release from regular chart topper Calvin Harris. Whilst staying true to grime with a series of promotional releases made free for his fans and Grime tracks on his album he has also completed a BA hons Degree in Moving Image and Animation. He was able to complete his degree at the University of East London because his mainstream success came towards the end of his final year, but he has been a musician since the tender age of 13.
Tinie Tempah; A Levels
JME; BA Hons Degree
You can't really have a full on conversation about grime without JME entering the frame at some point. Together with the likes of his brother Skepta and godfather of grime Wiley he founded BBK. His hit single 'series' sold over 20,000 copies. Oh and he also managed to fit in a BA Hons Degree in 3D Graphic Design.
So Just with those four in mind. Maybe its not as bad as some people would have you believe. All the time many young people are using their time wisely and making a positive impact on their peers, older generations really needn't worry. Education is just as important to grime artists, fans and bloggers as it is to anyone else. I myself am currently working towards 4 A Levels.
Maybe the negativity should be put one side and instead, the focus of the government and the media should be on those who are caught up in gangs and violence and who struggle in school. Many of us are surrounded by violence and poverty but do our best to overcome it, but not everyone does. Surely those are the people who need the help and attention.
To read more about the artist above, use the links below to visit their myspace page:
www.myspace.com/chipmunkartist
www.myspace.com/tinchystryder
www.myspace.com/tinielegend
www.myspace.com/JMESerious
Look out for my next blog which will feature an interview with up and coming grime artist MIK.
Sunday, 16 August 2009
The Sun Vs Grime
As its the first blog I'm gonna chat abit about me and the point of all this before I launch into my grimey rant (although in fairness I think the point I'm making is a valid one). I was introduced to grime, like many boys my age, by Dizzee's debut album 'Boy in da corner'. Then in typical grime-fan-fashion, found Wiley, followed closely by the rest of BBK, then Durrty Goodz, then Ghettz (then called Ghetto) and so on and so fourth until we all stumbled upon chipmunk and grime artists turned into popstars. (no send, sort of :/).
So this first post on my blog is based on my problem with a certain national newspaper that seems to love taking sly digs at members of our scene.
It would be an obvious to state that grime (real grime not radio one teenbopper grime) is still extremely underground and if you were to ask a non grime fan if they had heard of Grime they would think you were on about the shit Kim and Aggie deal with on 'How Clean is Your House?' So that said, surely, especially with a genre like grime, any publicity is good publicity. Maybe, but I disagree.
The Sun seems to make a point of listing the achievements of Grime artists then pouring liquid sarcasm over their heads in a way that is extremely degrading. Whenever you take a look at the comments left by Sun readers on these articles, they immediatly assume that the artist is a complete idiot and it never enters their heads that the tit may actually be the one with the pen.
Below are a list of articles for you to read for yourselves to make your own minds up,
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/bizarre/2501716/Nations-brightest-rap-stars-form-Brrrap-pack.html
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/bizarre/2411675/Tinchy-Stryder-bans-his-girlfriend-from-wearing-heels-when-they-are-together.html
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/music/2401643/N-Dubz-and-Tinchy-Stryder-fall-out-over-song.html
Don't get me wrong, I appreciate their acknowledging grime, but for genuine music articles, I'll stick with the guardian thanks (Y).
Email your views to reggie.enquiries@hotmail.co.uk and i'll put some of them up in the next blog,
Until then,
Reggie.
So this first post on my blog is based on my problem with a certain national newspaper that seems to love taking sly digs at members of our scene.
It would be an obvious to state that grime (real grime not radio one teenbopper grime) is still extremely underground and if you were to ask a non grime fan if they had heard of Grime they would think you were on about the shit Kim and Aggie deal with on 'How Clean is Your House?' So that said, surely, especially with a genre like grime, any publicity is good publicity. Maybe, but I disagree.
The Sun seems to make a point of listing the achievements of Grime artists then pouring liquid sarcasm over their heads in a way that is extremely degrading. Whenever you take a look at the comments left by Sun readers on these articles, they immediatly assume that the artist is a complete idiot and it never enters their heads that the tit may actually be the one with the pen.
Below are a list of articles for you to read for yourselves to make your own minds up,
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/bizarre/2501716/Nations-brightest-rap-stars-form-Brrrap-pack.html
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/bizarre/2411675/Tinchy-Stryder-bans-his-girlfriend-from-wearing-heels-when-they-are-together.html
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/music/2401643/N-Dubz-and-Tinchy-Stryder-fall-out-over-song.html
Don't get me wrong, I appreciate their acknowledging grime, but for genuine music articles, I'll stick with the guardian thanks (Y).
Email your views to reggie.enquiries@hotmail.co.uk and i'll put some of them up in the next blog,
Until then,
Reggie.
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