Son Raw needs 3 more for the pull up.
Music is My Sanctuary are good people, an endorsement in I don’t give lightly. In a world of click bait lists and hypebeasts chasing the next one hit wonder, they focus on quality music and writing (you know, like us) with a particular emphasis on lost classics and dusty grooves, making them a key bookmark for any music fan interested in the last 50 years of groove-based music. So naturally, when it came time to host my new mix of oldschool instrumental Grime classics, I knew just who to call. Anyone reading my words here knows that Instrumental Grime is having a moment in the sun right now thanks to the Butterz and Boxed movements and the sound is rapidly transforming into something new altogether. That said, it’s sometimes easy to forget that today’s bangers were built on the backs of yesterdays classics, particularly given that Grime’s original wave was so focused on emcees.
With that in mind, I decided to put together some of my favourite instrumentals from Grime’s golden age – 46 raw beats from the Fruityloops era mixed at high speeds in a pirate radio style. This is just the tip of the iceberg – I didn’t even touch on Jammer, Skepta and Target’s contributions to the scene, but hopefully this primer can provide listeners with a new appreciation for the way London kids were mashing up Garage, Hip-Hop, Dancehall and Jungle into new shapes at the turn of the millennium.
Stream/Download: Son Raw – Classic Grime Riddims
Classic GRIME Riddims (2002-2008) – Mixed by Son Raw by Music Is My Sanctuary on Mixcloud
Tracklist
Wiley – Igloo
Waifer (Slew Dem) – Yes I blunt
Maniac – K.O
Wiley – Avenger
Footsie – Showerman Time
Youngstarr – Pulse X
Alias – Gladiator
Terror Danjah – Zumpi Hunter
Wiley – Cable Street
Dizzee Rascal – Go
Plasticman – Safari
Alias – Warriors
Iron Soul – Summer 99
Geeneus – Dark Boy
Wonder – What
Wiley – Morgue
Kid D – All I need
Mike Jones – Still Tippin (Plasticman Remix)
Ruff Sqwad – Together
Dot Rotten – Demons
Wiley – Ice Rink
Dizzee Rascal – Girls
Mr Keys – SS Exclusive
Terror Danjah – Hyperphonix
Ruff Sqwad – I’m From a Place
Maniac – Thug
DJ Oddz – Strung UP VIP
Plasticman – The Lift
Dexplicit – Bullacake
Footsie – Back to 95
Iron Soul – Let Me
Dizzee Rascal – Stop Dat Riddim
Dot Rotten – Bazooka
Rebound X – Rhythm & Gash
JME – Dun No D Myspace
Davinche – Jenny (Remix)
Ruff Sqwad – Anna
Wonder – Chi Flute
Wiley – Ice Pole Remix
Davinche – Last Night Part 2
Waifer (Slew Dem) – Pool Party
Low Deep – Jedi
Spooky – Coolie Joyride
Maniac – Wah Da Rass
Dot Rotten – Bring Me Down
XTC (Ruff Sqwad) – Functions on the Low
