

They called it young black kids’ punk rock - a genre that radio stations wouldn’t play and records that labels refused to sell. But grime would not be stopped. With machine-gun lyrics that shred the eardrums and syncopated electronics that pound the chest like a sledgehammer, grime was a product of social unrest, urban culture and disenfranchised youth colliding in early 2000s UK. It didn’t just rouse a grassroots audience, however. Today, grime is surging in popularity all over the globe and widely influencing the music charts. This is the story of the genre’s roots.

Julie Adenuga
Self
Lead
Lethal Bizzle
Self

Jamie Adenuga
Self/JME

Skepta
Self

DJ Target
Self
Wiley
Self

Ashley Walters
Self

Jammer
Self
“A staggering achievement of craft and ambition. David Upshal's vision lands with breathtaking precision.”
“Every frame feels alive. 8 Bar – The Evolution of Grime is the rare release that takes its audience seriously.”