Wednesday 5 July 2006

Is Grime Legless?


Jihadia on the Fire Truck, originally uploaded by moaksey.

Martin Clark came around for dinner earlier, we discussed our lack of blogging these days. We're from the same school of thought though - if you've got nothing to say don't say it. But I've got something I actually want to type, so consider me back.

No, this isn't the eagerly anticipated Fiddy announces 'GRIME IS DEAD' post, but a look at the lack of crutches propping up the legs. Must like the NHS, we're crippled.

The reason I'm writing this now, at a totally unsuitable hour given I have to get up for work in a few hours, is something just struck me. At the weekend I was directed to an interview I did with uksoundtv, a new website that's launched to promote, yep you guessed it UK sounds. Needless to say I cringed, I was talking sense alright but my head looked semi-rectangular and I looked close to the brink of death (ok, slightly too far with this point but give a girl a break). I remember being really nervous on the day when I had to meet John and the guys at Rhythm Division cause believe it or not, I don't like cameras, especially not ones that capture moving moments. Anyway, having watched the clip, I'm not exceptionally vain, so I just put it down to experience and laughed it off. Much to my amusement, I just looked on the RWD forum for the first time in four weeks, found a thread about uktv and read two pages debating my experienced words... or not... no, they're more concerned as to whether I'm wearing a bird in my ear (this is why I prefer to write for i-D), or whether i'm uglier than they previously expected...

How has it come to be that a good website can launch full of grime 'stars' and live footage, yet the supposed fans don't mention any of it but waste their words on me? Shit if I could MC I'd release a record, I've got more heat on me than friggin Ruff Sqwad's PA! I'm not even going to get into the blatant sexism, female bashing or outright egotistical nature of these comments or the manner in which ladies in the scene are treated, i'll be here all night. But to any women reading this who think it's a laugh and a joke, it's not. Have your wits about you, spit the venom back in their cake hole and think twice about the decisions you make. I could be earning a lot money doing something else, and the number of times I think 'why do you bother', trust me there's a lot. Don't get it twisted though - unlike the talkers, I'm walking and earning my p's. Anyone who's got time to sit on forums all day when they're not getting paid for it can't be stacking.

Now I understand grime is a youth movement, and I'm by no means judging all the followers by what's written on a teenage forum (and there's a lot of them out there), but is it really any wonder people with an ounce of sense no longer give it half the time of day? I wasn't surprised to see Dubstep get a mention in the Sunday Times Style this week cause although it's not about fashion, it's following is a tad maturer and although I don't always share their love of the beats, it's got a nice vibe about it.

If grime music was stronger on the whole (do you know how hard it is to find 10 good grime some months that are actually being released?), maybe people would be more willing to stick with it instead of throwing their hands up, but the sad fact is the same people doing it now are the same people who were doing it years before (bar the odd few). Some artists in this scene have got caught up in the bubble too, judging the scene and planning their path forwards based on the words of the inexperienced, frequently unintelligent, forum ramblers. Don't even get me started on myspace. While it's doubtless good for promotion, getting 50,000 friends does in no way shape or form = 50,000 sales. Where's your distribution? Where are the events? Where is your game plan? Where's your head at?

I look forward to part 2 getting uploaded on uktv. Red nose and all. Say what you want but i'm standing firmly on my two.

12 comments:

user said...

This is why I love Chantelle Fiddy! I wont say anymore 'cause Logan said will say I moan too much.

"I'm not even going to get into the blatant sexism, female bashing or outright egotistical nature of these comments or the manner in which ladies in the scene are treated, i'll be here all night."

TiNy said...

respects to chantelle - people got to realize that it's a business and not just a "hype ting"

thanh
www.unitoneonline.com
Dallas tx USA

John Vanderpuije said...

Chantelle, please don't watch the haterz. They don't see the mechanics of the scene and how it functions in the real, damn world (industry politics, sex, race, crime all that shit!) The interview was illuminating, insightful and damn, right honest. Here's hoping you'll do another one! Fuck the hype. Peace JV

Hyperfrank said...

Your a talented writter not a bloody model 24/7! i even thought you looked decent but thats not the point! it seems whenever a girl even opens her mouth in this scene or not! if their not looking half done up with hills and their breasts out no one will be listening to a word you say! I personally thought you was chatting alot of sense! its actually the only footage iv seen of ANYONE talking sense in grime! well among a couple! Allow the little forum lot! You just do your thing and watch your p's grow im sure they'll still be on their computers chating crap! (including me no doubt)

Danny Walker said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Danny Walker said...

Woah!!! Someone put reins on Fiddy cos she’s about to buss someone’s eye piece. I wouldn’t say that this is a rant, more of Chan getting some venom and/ or TRUTHS off her chest. What she just said – for those that just skim read – is what has been coming for a long while.

First let me drop my views on the grime scene. Right now grime is at a very important stage. I think it’s at the sink or swim crossroads. Sporadic dropping of long awaited mixtapes, artists who spend tooooo much time on road, MSN, MySpace and up their own ARSE (about email your manager!!!), make me think it will sink but the likes of JME keep reassuring me that the scene I personally love will swim. I’m not sure whether it’s money for studio, laziness or actually lack or talent that has caused this unwanted drought. I feel well presented mixtapes/ regular EPs are the way to go – but these cost money to produce. Where do a large majority get the money from… road. Hence the vicious circle. For this I blame society, I remember the days when holding down a 10-6 was the one. Peeps would be over-hyped off earning a weekly JD, Footlocker, or Waitrose honest wage packet. Those days are gone. Easy-Ps, shanks and slewing reign.

The subject of ladies: I’ll be the first to admit girls/ women in the media spotlight (in front and behind the scenes) always get judged differently from guys. That (unfortunately) is the way humanity is! Blame The Romans or something. There is not much you can change about that I’m afraid girls, except keep coming correct and continue working twice as hard. Which is already evident by the amount of work Chantelle, Tattie, erm... Hattie Collins, and other like-minded lasses put in. Manifested in the quantity of magazines they write for and work they do behind the scenes. But stating that, I don’t think anyone (including me) should really take offence to what someone has said on a forum, blog (You know who you are!!!) or website, there are a lot worse things that you can be afflicted with on this green Earth. (Do you think the lady who has to sleep with Jeremy Beadle every night is worried about the RWD forum?).

I would just like to note ONE point, Chan states, “Shit if I could MC I'd release a record.” - Go on then go on then, I swear you’d do better than Lilly Allen, Sov or most of our Eurovision entries.

Seriously. Big up Fiddy every time, loved these line, “Don't get it twisted though - unlike the talkers, I'm walking and earning my p's. Anyone who's got time to sit on forums all day when they're not getting paid for it can't be stacking.”

And dub step, dub step is moving blud...

Dannywalker1.blogspot.com

user said...

Much respect to you and your work Chantelle.

Blackdown said...

The single biggest thing holding back grime is the fact that MCs forget to turn of the 'road' mentality when they interact with the industry.

Bertan Budak said...

Wahooooo everybody step back.. FIDDY is having a BF!!.. Nerh but seriously, you are right in some perspectives anyways. I personally do feel that the frime scene is very male dominated which is why i strongly recommend the FEMALES in the industry to stick together. The use of sexism cannote be entirely blamed on males. YOU FEMALES NEED TO STICK TOGETHER OTHERWISE YOU WILL FIND YOURSELVES IN DIFFICULT SITUATIONS.. Just look at Fury and Shystie. They had their partnership and collaborations however, something just got in the way. Not only has their beef weakened the bond of sisterhood within grime however, their actions and works promote violence which is why they were/are still looked down on. We need strong female figures who choose NOT to reply to dubz and not to promote a heavy distinct of violence (although they can say the accasional bitch slap here and there).

Overall i dnt feel that the problem is THAT bad but does need to be controlled.. Females are moving well in the grime scene, including Lady Sovereign and are repping our talents world wide.

Anonymous said...

yh big up fiddy,
the whole sexism ting wont die jus like racism, it might ease up but small minds will 4eva walk the earth.

DUBSTEP.... that doesnt follow a culture of who's the most aggyest.

GRIME... u cant MC unless ur chattin negative shit.

DUBSTEP.... is all about music cleverly usin reggae + dub influences with inner city sub low basslines. and suttle eski fx ova da top

GRIME... production wise has got what it takes, MC wise... sum guys need to vary thiere influence, im bored of how many ways u can shank sum 1

i said to much but basically, grime needs more than jus N.E.S.W london boi's reppin endz but bringin CONTENT, even if its chattin abstract shit on a doubletime tip, not every 1 is into lyrics about killin

Anonymous said...

yh big up fiddy,
the whole sexism ting wont die jus like racism, it might ease up but small minds will 4eva walk the earth.

DUBSTEP.... that doesnt follow a culture of who's the most aggyest.

GRIME... u cant MC unless ur chattin negative shit.

DUBSTEP.... is all about music cleverly usin reggae + dub influences with inner city sub low basslines. and suttle eski fx ova da top

GRIME... production wise has got what it takes, MC wise... sum guys need to vary thiere influence, im bored of how many ways u can shank sum 1

i said to much but basically, grime needs more than jus N.E.S.W london boi's reppin endz but bringin CONTENT, even if its chattin abstract shit on a doubletime tip, not every 1 is into lyrics about killin

Anonymous said...

yh big up fiddy,
the whole sexism ting wont die jus like racism, it might ease up but small minds will 4eva walk the earth.

DUBSTEP.... that doesnt follow a culture of who's the most aggyest.

GRIME... u cant MC unless ur chattin negative shit.

DUBSTEP.... is all about music cleverly usin reggae + dub influences with inner city sub low basslines. and suttle eski fx ova da top

GRIME... production wise has got what it takes, MC wise... sum guys need to vary thiere influence, im bored of how many ways u can shank sum 1

i said to much but basically, grime needs more than jus N.E.S.W london boi's reppin endz but bringin CONTENT, even if its chattin abstract shit on a doubletime tip, not every 1 is into lyrics about killin