Grime is ascending to high levels just three months into 2010, almost emulating the golden era that once was, and a large part of this is due to the high amount of free content available.  Not just free mix CDs, it's free instrumentals and a good amount of radio sets combined with the other stuff DJs are making available. Here's a list some of the 100% legal material available to you for absolutely no charge at the moment:

 

Merky ACE and Crew - Westwood Crib Sessions
South London is commonly overlooked in the grime scene. With former grime MCs Tinchy Stryder and Dizzee Rascal finding success in the Top 40, a lot of mainstream attention was thrust on Bow, East London. However, with an extremely high work-rate between them, including intense radio sets on Rinse and Kiss FM, crews like Family Tree and Organised Grime (OG'z for short) are flying the flag high, just like the days of Essentials..

Merky ACE, TKO and Ego are there representing for Family Tree, whilst Kozzie, Desperado and Stormer put in their efforts on behalf of OG'z, with Slew Dem's DJ Spooky going mad on the decks! Watch the videos here and download all fouraudio parts here. Some of the MCs on this set are the future - mark my words.

Dogzilla - Beware Of The Dog
Dogzilla has had a very good start to 2010, his efforts on Grimeforum's Studio Mayhem and more recently on Kiss 100's "Chosen Ones" have swung the opinions of previously critical listeners. On top of that, he's just released his second free CD of 2010. His previous download A Dog Is For Life... showcased a handful of fresh, new material from producers such as Points and Z Dot; the latest download provides a trip down memory lane however, with a selection of Dogzy's greatest tunes to date.

The entire project is produced by Target and Danny Weed (with Geeneus rearing his head on Where's All The Beers) and features such classics as Never Ending Story which refers back to the golden-grime-days. Burning is a lyrical description of his life and the aforementioned Where's All The Beers featuring a young Devlin and Dogzy attending the craziest of all parties! Download from O.T now.

Logan Sama - The Kiss "Chosen Ones" sets
Since it was announced earlier on in the year that the only, 100% grime dedicated show on the commercial airwaves was to be cut down to a measly one hour, Logan Sama and Kiss FM have come under some heavy criticism. But soon after Logan followed up with another announcement; this time containing news that turned every grime-head straight back around. Part of Kiss' new Chosen Ones project is to get a specialist DJ (Mr Sama in this case) to draft in some of the best talent from a particular scene and let them showcase in whichever way appropriate, so in this case grime and a series of (recorded) live sets.

 

Up first were the ever-relevant Newham based duo Footsie and D Double E showing why they're so often classed as two of the best MCs about, in particular D Double. They were followed by a mash-up of the crew O.T and the 360 Records label, with Devlin, Dogzilla, Griminal, Ghetto and Shrimpos all starring in probably the night's best set. Little Dee, P Money, Mega Montana, Bloodline crew and more all featured in other sets, for which you can see tracklistings and download links for here.

Opium - Out Of This World
As aforementioned in this blog, East London has provided the grime scene with a LOT of talent. Opium, from Bow E3, is no curve to the rule. With his precise delivery and confidence filled timing, the 19-year-old has put together a small portion of tracks for download, including productions from Bless Beats and feature from Cookie. You can download it here.

DJ Spooky - Fresh Blood Vol. 1
DJ Spooky (who has been DJing for a number of years on stations such as Rinse, Urban and Ice Cold FM) has always maintained a very positive outlook towards grime music and the scene itself. Recently he has compiled a FRESH new mix full of some of 2010's biggest beats from the best batch of new producers. Some of those involved include Z Dot (Ghetts - Artillery), J Beatz (Big H - Assassin), Royal T (P Money - 1UP) and many more fantastic productions squeezed brilliantly into one disgusting mix! Grab a hold of the mix and a full track listing from his blog here.

So there you have it, we have one of some of the best downloads possible - sets from Tim Westwood's house, classic mix tapes, modern mix tapes and pre-recorded radio sets. Hope you enjoy, I'm going to run through the best downloads on here every month, so keep reading and remember - artists do not have to put this material out - so when they actually release something please try and open your wallets!

 

Related Links:

• Jay Kast's Grime Wayz
• New Once Upon A Grime Merchandise
• Video: Kozzie - Spartan Remix
• Dimples Does His Groundwork
• Kids Of Grime Exhibition

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