Grimetapes

I recently read back on an old issue of The Wire (The December 2008 issue to be exact) and came across an article on Grimetapes.com (There's 2 links so i'll put them below). I remember reading it an being very eager to check it out, but of course it slipped my mind and it wasn't until recently that I had the chance to give it a proper lookover. 

The most fascinating thing about the site is the pure archival value of what later became historical moments in the development of Grime, when it was still in it's most primal form - Underground Pirate Radio.

 It has that raw, untouched quality that makes Grime the brilliant artform that it is, I've always put radio sets over Studio album when it comes to Grime - purely due to the fact that it's a style of music best laid down on the spot. 

The rough, radio quality also adds a nostalgic vibe, you can hear scratches from those of looser broadcast quality reminding you of what this music was made for. 

Other exciting moments are early Dizzee and Wiley pre-beef sets (look out for the 'Unknown Location' one, where they touch on moments of dubstep, jungle and Hip Hop) and appearances by random artists who were never to be heard of again. 

The Wire article mentions that there is hundreds of tapes to be sorted through and uploaded - the owner of the site even had DJ Spooky of Slew Dem show up at his doorstep with a bag of 60 tapes. 

The original site is here - this says 'Properly Back In May' but has compilations of the greatest moments from different sets by Wiley, Slew Dem, Roadside G's and D Double E.

There is also a blog here which contains all the original, unedited sets uploaded so far. 

If this kind of thing excites you like it does me, be sure to check Rinse FM it has quality live broadcasts and a blog that is regularly updated with podcasts of the shows.