Okay. It's nothing new. We all know how much I love Kano. I'm not gunna go on about it. Love love love that Kano seems to be stepping back in the scene with both feet now. Although his sporadic droppings are much appreciated, the news of his a new Kano album coming soon has made me very excited. 'Hail' was our first teaser of what to expect, and 'New Banger' is the second. Both are equally full of energy. Love love love love the visual to this. So raw but still so fun. I guess you can only get these wonderful balances with a don dada like Risky Roadz behind the camera.
So when people ask me what I am doing, my answers are increasingly along the lines of either; "revising empirical investigation in trait-emotional intelligence" or "skanking out to Japanese grime". (Very juxtaposed answers I know, but, evidently, I like to like to keep life interesting). In response to the former, the next line of the conversation is then usually "huh?", and in response to the latter, I usually get "LOL nah seriously though, what you doing". Now, I know listening to Japanese Grime isn't really usual activity but it's becoming a growing hobby and I think it's time people start taking seriously - hence this blog post.
Now it started with me coming across Japanese hip-hop artist Twiggy al Salaam. Don't ask me how. It was one of those random YouTube stumblings. Now, I had no idea what this guy was rapping about but his sound successfully nurtured authentic old school hip-hop flavours to make some wickeness. It oozed a cool vibe and I wanted to find some more. So yep, I got all click happy on the ol' suggested videos and started exploring the Japanese music scene. I discovered it's pretty popping. They seem to have a fully flourishing rap scene and, despite the language barrier, their flows, energy and the catchy sounding hooks make it genuinely enjoyable to listen to. Just as I was about to terminate, what I can definitely call one of my oddest, procrastination sessions, I found Dekishi.
Dekeshi is now the reason I want to learn Japanese. I happened to land on a video of one of his live sets and was instantly exhumed by the gloriousness. It took me a few seconds before I realised I had been transported into a Japanese parallel universe of 2002 London. A dingy underground venue, a dirty beat falling out of the sound system and a fine MC with a crazy flow and wonderfully raw energy on the mic. Beautiful.
I got digging and uncovered the underground J-Grime scene that is slowly developing in Japan. I actually love it. They're success in channelling authentic Grime is all evidenced in the decent levels of hype they conjure within my little body as I'm scrolling down Dekeshi and friends' Soundcloud's. I'm actually very intrigued to know how they've even managed to replicate such authenticity, because doing so would require them to adopt and nurture the culture to a decent level. There are a lot of grime fans around the world, but, please correct me if I am wrong, there aren't actually any other places that have a Grime scene which credibly incorporates what London/England built. These J-Grimesters however have done a good job on adopting the flow, punch and rawness that signifies the genre. There are numerous freestyles and sets floating about with spitters lacing classic instrumentals - from and JME/Skepta's Spaceship to Ghetts' Don't Phone Me. I've even heard garage tracks mixed into to some of their sets, showing a real depth of research into our beloved scene's roots. I just wish, wish, wish I could understand what they were saying. If trying to translate whatever Devilman and Skepta are saying wasn't motivation enough for me to learn Japanese, this new discovery definitely is. So yes, if any of you know of any Japanese tutors, holla. Also, I am now extending my search for an accomplice to Grime raves, to a search for an accomplice to Japanese Grime raves too. Applications are still being taken :)
