I check some of this stuff out - somewhat dutifully - but I dunno..... can't feel the fire in it. But I'm sure that's just me, having shot my excitement-wad so excessively the first time around
Probably I'm just one of those who finds genres most thrilling in the emergent phase... before the sound is fully formed. .. before they even have a proper name sorted.
The stuff below, what I gave the placeholder name "gutter garridge" for a while - was all taped by me during the summer of 2002. Exception is 'Black Man Freestyle' (not it's real name, if it even has one) which is off a tape someone sent me early 2003. All of it is rough and ready, and doubtless a bit crap technically - as MC-ing, writing - compared with the accomplishment of mature grime. And certainly in terms of the sentiments, mostly it's ugly - nasty, malevolent, indefensible.
But sonically - and as a blurt of social energy - it's still got, still gives, that first-flush rush - the astonishment of hearing the New come into being.
All titles approximate a/k/a imaginary!
Horra Quad, "Life Is Not A Game To Play" + "Imagine (You Had A Crew Like This)"
"Too gutter! Too gutt-ah!"
Black Man Freestyle Pulse X 2003 - this is Durrty Goodz, right?
Black Op's on Ice FM July 2002 - Mentazm Death Riff + DubSubLo Freestyle
Tough Chick, Horror Squad jingle, 2002
"Separate!"
Horra Squad July 2002 freestyles KD + Tough Chick + Lady Thugsy
Horra Squad - "Strings Of Death" a/k/a Jammer "Army" / "Alpha Male Bizniz" / "You're A Lady" / "Feels Like An Overload"