A brief history of grime
WORLD MUSIC COLUMN
While many would argue
that grime’s best days were
more than a decade ago, the
resurgence of its popularity
and quality begs to differ.
True, legends such as Dizzee
Rascal took long (and rather
embarrassing)
digressions
into pop territory, but both
old
and
new
artists have
revived the genre. Perhaps
more importantly, it has grown
from London and the UK to
new markets abroad. Figures
like Skepta and Giggs have
found themselves remixed by
pop stars like Drake and even
featured on albums by rappers
like A$AP Rocky.
Purists may bemoan the
growing influence of American
hip hop on the scene as a
whole, but while it is true
that genre distinctions have
been blurring, the culture’s
main
distinctions
remain
prevalent. Skepta’s 2016 album
Konnichiwa is a prime example
of grime mixed with more
pop tendencies. Songs such
as “Man” and “Shutdown”
permeated
the
mainstream
charts in the UK and abroad,
and have contributed to the
genre’s newfound popularity.
Others
such
as
Dave,
AJ
Tracey (featured together in
the marvelous “Thiago Silva”)
and Stormzy have become
major cultural figures in the
UK and beyond. While their
works
don’t
quite
feature
the level of intensity that is
familiar to older fans of grime,
the influence of the genre on
their work is undeniable. In
addition to the new bloods,
stalwarts such as Wiley have
released critically-acclaimed,
more reflective albums with
tracks that will surely become
future
classics.
Old
feuds
have been resolved and now
lay the ground for exciting
collaborations
and
new,
talented producers have added
some
needed
variety
and
creativity.
What may be the biggest
obstacle in the preservation of
classic grime culture is the fact
that it is not entirely an album-
oriented genre that lends well
to streaming services. Grime’s
best
moments
occurred
in
events such as radio mixes,
where MC’s alternate nonstop
for hours over a mix of classic
instrumentals.
Its
feuds
and stylistic transitions are
labyrinthine in nature and
hard
to
appreciate
simply
by listening to playlists of
selected
tracks.
Moreover,
the genre is borrowing more
from American hip hop trends,
including
trap-style
beats
instead of the reggae, ragga
and garage style beats of old.
Nonetheless,
grime
is
alive and well, and the fact
that it hasn’t taken over the
world yet might be one of its
appealing qualities. The genre
is unapologetically urban and
British, a niche subculture
in the sea of musical styles
that float around the world,
co-opted by groups of all
creed and color. Just as it
may be difficult to completely
appreciate a Pakistani qawwali
tune or a French chanson, it
may be difficult to appreciate
the sheer complexity of the
history of grime. However, it
can’t stop you from enjoying
the energy and fun that it
brings.
SAYAN GHOSH
Daily World Music Columnist
What may
be the biggest
obstacle in the
preservation of
classic grime
culture is the
fact that it is
not entirely
an album-
oriented genre
that lends well
to streaming
services
The world’s longest recorded
table tennis rally happened
on Mar. 23, 2014. Daniel and
Peter Ives kept their volley
alive for a total of eight hours,
40 minutes and five seconds at
the Plumstead Radical Working
Men’s Club in London. The ball
lofted back and forth, back and
forth — an affirmative ping to
answer each curious pong.
To
achieve
the
volley’s
remarkable longevity, the Ives
brothers had to be on the same
wavelength, reciprocating each
other’s
calm
and
collected
manner as they approached the
world record.
In a similar fashion to the
professional
table
tennis
players, the Sklar Brothers
were on the same comedic
wavelength
during
their
show this past Friday. Randy
and Jason Sklar exercised an
identical rhythm to that of
Daniel and Peter Ives, only in
the context of stand-up comedy.
The
twins
returned
to
Ann Arbor, their old college
stomping ground, this weekend
in a homecoming performance
at the Ann Arbor Comedy
Showcase.
I arrived early to the 10:30
p.m.
performance
in
the
classic basement club and
was seated spitting-distance
from the microphones. The
brothers met a welcoming
round of applause as they took
the stage and opened with
a
funny-because-it’s-true
jab at Ann Arbor’s ceaseless
construction. The rest of the
show contained a blend of
jokes written for parents and
jokes written for Democrats
(the Sklar Brothers knew
their audience).
That said, the material
was sophisticated enough to
earn the label of well-crafted
comedy without being distant
from the intended audience
of graduated Ann Arborites.
Even though I do not fit the
profile of a graduated Ann
Arborite parent, I still found
myself laughing with every
punchline, delivered like a
volley-return.
After
graduating
from
the University in 1994, the
Sklar
Brothers
moved
to
New York to begin their
successful comedy careers,
making
appearances
on
shows such as HBO’s “Curb
Your Enthusiasm,” “Law and
Order,”
“Grey’s
Anatomy,”
FX’s “It’s Always Sunny in
Philadelphia” and their series
on the History Channel, “The
United States of America.”
The duo act in stand-up
comedy is a bold one, yet
the Sklar Brothers exceeded
expectations with a masterful
cadence and a satisfying flow
to each bit.
As a duo act, two comedians
must devote extra time and
effort
to
the
coordination,
collaboration and choreography
of any given set. The Sklar
Brothers are no exception to
this added challenge, but the
two were able to deliver their
material in a manner that
showed preparedness and deep
knowledge of the set without
seeming too rehearsed. Each
joke was a satisfying blend
between the two comedians,
as
though
they
were
having a normal (hilarious)
conversation.
Watching
the
Sklar
Brothers
is
like
watching
two professional table tennis
players keep a casual volley
going for the fun of it. I mean
that in the best way possible
— these are truly talented
performers with the comedic
equivalent of the table tennis
expertise displayed by Daniel
and Peter Ives. If my Friday
night could consist of watching
the Sklar Brothers play comedic
ping-pong for eight hours, 40
minutes and five seconds, I
would consider that a Friday
night well-spent.
Sklar Brothers return to Ann Arbor with comedy
COMMUNITY CULTURE REVIEW
ZACHARY M.S. WAARALA
For the Daily
The duo act
in stand-up
comedy is a bold
one, yet the
Sklar Brothers
exceeded
expectations
with a masterful
cadence and a
satisfying flow
to each bit
BOY BETTER KNOW
WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
6A — Monday, September 24, 2018
Arts
The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com