Me (Hark) and Jada have selected our favourite vocal grime tracks. Ten tracks each for you to ponder over. Don’t worry we’ve also highlighted some gems that are not included on the list. We go way back! Make sure you vote for two tracks in the poll below. Also leave your own favourites in the comment section. Let’s do this.

Hark’s Top 10

Roll Deep – Morgue

First up we have Morgue. Morgue is a grime classic hands down. The Wiley produced riddim is annihilated by the Roll Deep crew. At the time every MC in East would be wanting to spit on this riddim. Strictly white label business, so make sure you look after your copy if you got one. The flow and energy on this track is ruthless and relentless. A sign of the times in pre-gentrified East London, particularly heading down towards Roman Road and Bow. It is still though in parts and you need to front’ in order to survive. A signature for London street life in the early noughties. It was a though decision between the more popular When I’m Ere. That was the Danny Weed produced hit that bought them new found fame. A memorable video shot in the endz with all black Nike tracksuits.

I bring two out, take your whole crew out

Dizzee Rascal – I Luv U

I Luv U needs no introduction. A grime in the purest sense. A tune to get you hyped before it’s even dropped. Guaranteed to send any dance-floor into chaos. You have to remember he was only 15/16 when he made this track. The lyrical content is social document of what life is like inner-city London. This is probably the first time people outside of the underground music scene would have been aware of life in the ends. The lyrical content would have not been a shock to a lot of youngsters at the time anyway.  Nothing sounded this explosive during 2003/2004. Nothing still compares. I have to give a mentioned to his Ice Rink vocal as well, check it here.

listen, i like your girl so you better look after your girl
or i might just take your girl and make your girl my girl
switch your girl with michelle
switch michelle with chantelle
play chantelle with shennele

Destruction VIP – Kano, Wiley, D Double, Sharky Major, Footsie, Hyper, Crazy Titch, Durrty Goodz (Nasty Version)

Maybe one of the first quality feature grime track of its time. It was rare to have to a lot these guys on the same track. It’s probably a result of Jammer bringing them altogether on this beat. Jammer is always rated for his production than his bars. This track definitely left a legacy in terms of sound and lyrical styles that have influenced the current crop of Grime/UK Road Rap artists.

 From city to city

From town to town

From lamppost to lamppost we run the roads

Skepta ft Jammer – I Spy

Skepta spits on maybe one the hypest grime instrumentals of all time. The riddim will mash-up any dance/rave. Skepta’s lifestyle content, ambitious lyrics and hook make this a beast of a track. This is one the tracks he still performs to this day. Memorable bars indeed. Let’s not overlook his recent success and mention That’s Not Me.

I wanna see more dough then a baker

run tings like Ninja Man and Kartel in Jamaica

D Double E – Frontline

This has to go down as one the foundation freestyles in grime history. D Double E is the grime MC’s MC. His unique style adapted from the Jungle days oozes bravado and poetry. His lyrics are some of the most memorable in grime. He has the skill to leave lyrics in your head from the first listen. Even after a decade of spitting his style and lyrics are still referenced by MCs of the current generation.

Head get mangled and dangled
To the side just like I wear my Kangol

D Double E – Birds in the Sky

Yes another mention for this donny. Birds in The Sky is a completely different take on grime from the sound at the time. Jammer on the production took the hype level down a notch for D Double to poetically slew the riddim. Only Ruff Sqwad could boast pushing a similarly melodic sound. Well you can’t really beat the evergreen XTC which Stormzy has made popular again with his freestyle. D Double is deceivingly great. Not many MC’s could’ve taken this track on at the time, he really did make this his own. A pioneer will always be original. Here are three more memeorable D Double cuts. Bad To The Bone, StreetFighter and Thuggish Ruggish

If you, think you
Can come against I, I
Then lyrics will fly like birds in the sky
Hit one of your bredrins in the eye

JME – 96 Bars of Revenge

JME without a doubt is most consistent guy in the game. Lyrical content to reach board independent audiences across the UK. No one beefs with JME because he will end your career and this track is evidence of his skills. You can decide who’s the best on this riddim, Escobar (RIP) with 96 Bars or the Revenge version. Escobar had a raw aggressive style and JME more than stepped up to murder the freestyle. More proof of his undeniable skill, Serious, 96 Fuckries, Man Don’t Care and Shut Ya Mout.

It’s time to up the levels again
A new MC’s born every weekend
If you’re an MC, don’t try and befriend me
Cause I will not holla back like Gwen

Lethal B – POW! ft Fumin, D Double E, Napper, Jamakabi, Neeko, Flowdan, Ozzie B, MC Forcer & Demon

Grimes biggest ever track. This laid the template for what a grime banger should be. The legendary track was banned at Carnival and clubs up and down the country. If you want guaranteed chaos POW is that riddim. During 2004/2005 this was the tune heard in every college and school in London. A milestone tune spreading grime to the masses and taking its place in UK club history. POW will be played for generations. The lyrically hyped track has always been about a release of energy rather than a deep meaningful song, hence it’s board appeal. It would be rude not to mention Oi by More Fire Crew which is another slightly more underground hit.

I’ll… crack your skull
Leave you fucked up in a wheelchair
If you try to clash this evil breh

Wliey & D Double E – Grime Riddim (Gunman)

These two epitomise grime. Bar for bar, verse for verse. Lyrics and energy is second to none, no hooks in sight. Waifa from Slewdem laid down the perfect riddim. This song is grime if anyone ever asked you, what is Grime? It’s this! Another one from this era to check is Chronik – Way Down The Road.

When shots fly you’ll be dancing like an Irish dancer

Footsie ft JME, D Double E, Jammer, P Money & Chronik – Spookfest

One of the newer inclusions on the list. Came out during a calm period in grime (2012) before it’s rise to popularity again (2014). It’s a banger that is overlooked because of when it came out. The song features six strong and memorable verses. It had been a while since we had a solid feature grime track. JME and D Double E carry us through with the usual quality before P Money and Chronik lay down the smackdown with the last two versus. No doubt you can also hear the influence of trap in grime during this era. Footsie aslo on the production.

Man wanna run off your mouth online
Arm lock man, make a big man cry
Run up in the yard, 3D man’s wife
DDT man’s child

Jada’s Top 10

Kano – P’s and Q’s

The most classic grime track of all time, period. Kano’s fire vocals on this epic Davinche production packs all the punches. 10 years on and it’s still sounds brand new.

So boy dont think ya can move to me, and think I’ll be asleep boy,
Coz Im on ma P’s and Q’s, thats guna make more P’s than U’s

Dizzee Rascal – Respect Me

The boy from Bow had the hunger, passion and grit of an entire army (tools that would later come to define the work ethic of an entire sub genre). ‘Respect Me’ is harsh and gritty. Dizzee at his finest; making proper East London grime music.

Endless speculation I’m facin’
Constant controversial relations
To gun crime at Garage events
With so many claims and no evidence
Suggesting I’m the reason
For the U.K. gun-clap season
I’m legal, may I stress

Nasty Crew – Girls Love Nasty

Many a grime kid (pre 2014) knew about N.A.S.T.Y (although majority of MC’s featuring on this have now faded in to obscurity). The tracks catchy, repetitive chorus is its winning ingredient. (Nb. at some point in history Ghetto, Kano, D Double E and Jammer also graced the line-up of this popular outfit).

This is a nasty gang-banger
Why you getting mad because they love me in the manor!

Devlin – London City

Devlin is grime in its purest form. From lyrics in a pad to Island Records, he has always been the most articulate of the bunch. London living is the inspiration and however he’s feeling we feel it, too.

I’m leaning. Out the window, smoking a spliffy.
Through the wind in my eyes, like tears that I cry,
Getting high on the essence of life.
Cause’ tonight we’re in London city

Ghetto & Mercston – Good Old Days

Back and forth bars, club scene business. I had to include this purely for its energy.

I’m a leader not a follower
I’m a need at least a reason to body ya
In defense or its me with the coroner
Jesus Christ
I’m tryna walk on a righteous path

Ruff Squad & Wiley – Together

Legendary Ruff Squad (Tinchy, Rapid, Fuda Guy and a bunch of others) alongside grime pioneer, Wiley. The instrumental alone is fire but the addition of the RS and the Godfather is a treat.

Not now or maybe in a few years
When I get past self-destruction
We both know what it is, it’s over
I’m young-minded but I’m strong-minded like an older
Or an elder, I’m under a spell
And it’s called the system, you’ll know if you’re human
The love weren’t enough to keep us together

The Movement – Used To Be

No other grime collective will ever be greater. Together (and individually) these guys were the best, hands down. ‘Used To Be’ (featuring Scorcher, Ghetto, Mercston, Wretch 32) is as classic as it gets. (Nb. ‘Tempo Specialists‘ is worth a listen)

Revish to the present
You was in need of my presence
I was feeling the effort you put in
Then for no relevant reason

Essentials – Jenny

https://youtu.be/Bfl2adtpOvs
The first music crew from South London (with the exception of So Solid) to make noise. Members included DJ Bossman and MC’s Jendor, NE, Kidman, Remerdee, Keedo etc. Once upon a time the ‘Dark & Cold’ DVD was uploaded on to YouTube and I heard this for the first time.

I know Jenny,
Do you know Jenny?
Who you talking about?
On road Jenny?
Yeah I know Jenny
That girl drop skirt quicker than a penny

Wretch 32, Ghetto, Badness – Ina Di Ghetto

Wretch said: “It gets fizzy when their plans evlove and they end up in the can for coke, I hope you’re seven up.” For this reason alone it had to make the top 10. Ghetto doesn’t do a bad job, either.

It gets fizzy when their plans evolve
And they end up in the can for coke
I hope you’re 7-Up

Breakage ft Newham Generals – HARD

An absolute banger featuring the distinctive voices of Footsie and D Double. This one does exactly as it says on the tin, without even trying. Breakage did a complete madness.

But I’m still here, fam
I’m a dan let me make that clear
Man wanna clash I’m cool, I’m here
I’m a dan let me make that clearer
And I rep for the Newham area

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