Outside of the UK, pockets of grime have been developing around the
world. Across the pond, American Grime have been helping to establish the scene
in their hometown of Miami and beyond. Fresh from the label comes Crossed: consisting of four instrumental collaborations, the EP brings together four UK producers
with four from the USA.
Dubzta and 3rdi’s dark cut ‘Rudeboys’ sets the tone with an ice-cold
top end and rebounding bass punches. Next, ‘Liverpool Street’ from Oskuro and recently-crowded Beat Boss champ Lewi B brings heavy, panning basslines and choppy,
offbeat rhythms, while Mr Skandal and SomeJerk’s ‘Cops and Robbers’ is oppressive
and threatening in the best way, with atmospheric ringing bells that penetrate the
dense fog of the track. Finally, Westy and BLiCKA’s ‘Combat’ combines grime
with trap influences as well as purple-tinged chord stabs, for a refined, stripped-back
sound.
Stream Crossed via Spotify below.