Why has mainstream rap changed?
On Mosh Eminem took aim at George Bush’s invasion of Iraq and American foreign policy. In 2024 artists who’s ascent has relied on revolutionary aesthetics and anti-establishment themes have remained largely silent on genocide in Gaza.
Q&A with Aniefiok Ekpoudom
Storyteller Aniefiok Ekpoudom speaks to Sludge Mag about Where We Come From. The critically acclaimed sold out book documenting the origins and ascent of grime and U.K. rap
To My Love For Your Love
Loue Marc follows up from his stellar debut EP 'DONTKILLYOURSELF', with the much anticipated introspective follow up 'To My Love For My Love'.
Q&A with Jozem
The Toronto based artist by way of Kenya and Rwanda delivers his debut album It Came To Me In A Dream incorporating culture, soul, sexuality and everything in between.
Poverty, violence and Black music
How political shifts to the right shaped urban Black music in 🇺🇸, 🇬🇧. and 🇯🇲
Q&A with Shah
London based artist Shah returns with a genre-bending EP titled ‘As Above So Below’.
Q&A with John Alone
Sludge Mag chats to John Alone around the release of his genre-blurring latest EP Scared Money Pt.1
TAI - Shades
London based musician Tai links up with multi-disciplinary creative duo GRAY417c studios and photographer Džiuginta Mažulytè for Shades. Funds raised through purchase of the track will be donated to The Black Curriculum.
M.I.C & NAMMY WAMS: YOU CAN ACHIEVE ANYTHING
The Master of Inane Conversation (M.I.C) is back from a brief hiatus, this time backed by the ecletic production palette of Nammy Wams and features from Jawnino and grime legend JME for the groundbreaking new YOU CAN ACHIEVE ANYTHING EP
Q&A with Flowerovlove
We chat with 16 year old Flowerovlove on the release of her debut EP 'Think Flower'. All in the days work whilst balancing GCSEs and modelling for Gucci
Q&A with Thérèse
Multi-faceted rising French-Asian activist and artist releases her debut 6 track EP featuring the powerful new track CHINOISE? using 6 languages to break common stereotypes around Asians.
Q&A with Raheaven
2Personal is the new 4 track EP following the ups and downs of navigating relationships as a young woman, showcasing vulnerability and empowerment in equal measures. We got the lowdown from Raheaven about her career so far, her creative outlets and her inspirations for the EP.
Digga D - Against All Odds
We chronicle the storied rise of Rhys Herbert known to everyone as UK drill pioneer Digga D surrounding the release of debut mixtape Made In The Pyrex
Q&A with DJ Spen
With a career spanning across 4 decades Baltimore house legend and Quantize Recordings label boss Sean Spencer (DJ Spen to partygoers worldwide) has overseen several eras of music. Now he's back with his new album Soulful Storm
Q&A with Ayo Adepoju
11 years ago and ambitious music lover called Ayo Adepoju started We Plug Good Music as a means to showcase underground talent. The rest, as they say, is history. The inaugural mixtape A Prelude To The Future featuring all the original artists has been remastered. But this time they've got grammy wins, record deals and international tours under their belts.
Q&A with Fiona Whitney
Fiona Whitney's debut single Been Here All Before references her battle with Trichotillomania also known as hair pulling disorder. Her fascinating journey includes her covers amassing thousands of views, recognition from Dappy and Chip and self producing via her iPad. Read up on this exciting new talent.
Q&A with KATIE
Following the release of 2019's hugely successful LOG, KATIE is back with new project Our Time Is Blue and we were fortunate enough to discuss it with her.
Q&A with Emanuel
We spoke to the Toronto based artist about his stunning new EP lt Therapy Session 2: Transformation, working with Idris Elba and his revelations this year.
Armstrong WW - Control
The 18 year old Texan artist by way of Cameroon has provided a late contender for Sludge Mag's song of the year with Control.
KidSoSteez - Born To Create
Midlands boy KidSoSteez debuted his first single Born To Create this week, establishing himself on the UK alternative music scene.
Q&A with WOOGIE
Read our new interview with South Korean mega producer WOOGIE. The Jay Park and 2 Chainz collaborator continues a strong run with the release of PARADISE and tells all about his journey to becoming one of South Korea's most prominent music figures.
Q&A with Vanessa Maria
No Boundaries, alike to the name of the talent agency that she co-founded, is very much the motto that Vanessa Maria lives by. A DJ, broadcaster, creative producer and now marketing specialist- the sky is far from the limit for this young extraordinaire.
Q&A with Jaydonclover
We decided to catch up with the rising singer about her song featuring in the new Footasylum campaign, new track piecesofme and being inspired by Birmingham .
Q&A with Charmaine
Following the release of BOLD we interview the Toronto native seamless blending sensual RNB with snarling raunchy raps.
Q&A with Lordkez
We interview Lordkez. The sultry South African songstress talks to us about the new EP she's blessed the scene with Charcotta as well as her amazing music videos and the benefits of seeing music through a global lens.
Patches - Sober
The Minor Formula member reminds us again why he's one of U.K. alternative rap's ones to watch.
Q&A with Kay Young
Read our exclusive interview with Roc Nation's newest signee Kay Young. She gives us the lowdown on her stunning new EP Middle Matters with insight on what we can expect from her upcoming album.
SOMA - Rudeboi
Ahead of the release of their next EP entitled TOTKO II, Zimbabwe-born rapper Shumba Maasai and UK producer Hermes release new track Rudeboi. A warning to Black Africans contemplating migrating to Europe.
Women In The Dance
We chat to Lintott and Joksi the two Birmingham natives behind Women In The Dance, an initiative through social media to change the landscape of dance music scenes by creating safer environments free from sexual abuse.
Odeal - More Life
Fresh off providing the hook for Ringaling alongside Headie One on Nines' chart topping Crabs in a Bucket album, German born Nigerian artist Odeal is here with a banger of his own in More Life.
L3 - IGNORANT
Featuring on billboards around London and modelling for Supreme are just some of the strings in L3's bow. The Essie's Gang member has now dropped the HoneyWoodSix produced track Ignorant. Read Rory Oakley's review exclusively for Sludge.
M.I.C and PK Brako - Witchclart
After a wait that feels like an eon grime fans can finally look forward to hearing the song that incorporates quite literally the hardest bars of 2018. An exert from JUST JAM 117 which is now a viral clip with co-signs from JME and Lethal Bizzle saw M.I.C cursing his enemies with creativity and disdain in equal measure.
Q&A with John Alone
John Alone presents a psychedelic, eccentric sound which doesn’t conform to a genre and goes against the grain. We were able to talk to him about the track, his inspirations, and the effects of lockdown on musicians.
Q&A with Jimi Da Killa
Following the success of recent solo project Cognac Arcade, Local Geezers member Jimi Da Killa is back with the video for Warning. We sit down with him to talk all things Cognac Arcade, fashion design and future plans.
Why are so many young rappers dying?
Recent years have seen an upsurge in the deaths of young rappers including as xxxtentacion, Fredo Santana, Juice WRLD, Lil Peep, Nipsey Hussle, Jimmy Wopo, Pop Smoke, Smoke Dawg, Mac Miller & others. Our new article unpacks the causes of this seemingly unending tradgedy.
Q&A with Eastern Margins
We were lucky enough to sit down with Eastern Margins syndicate Jex Wang to discuss the platform fighting for representation for Eastern and South East Asians in the U.K. music scene
Seinna & Scientific - Kimchi
London based rapper Seinna links up with Dresden based producer Scientific to present new track 'Kimchi'. Read the lowdown here.
DIPS & Lo-Wu -Teach You Something
DIPS & Lo-Wu are back again with another song and accompanying video. Their previous offering, featured on Sludge Magazine, saw the two navigating an estate on a hazy summer's evening. Whilst Autumn is now upon us there has been no let up in the heat the South London pair are dropping.
When is booty shaking right?
As women's rap grows in the mainstream, so does the criticism of their reclamation of sexuality through their lyrics. Predominantly from male rappers who have been using women's sexuality as a vehicle to promote their own careers since rap's inception.
Q&A with High Karup$hin
Following on from their 2015 project DBOAN II, Connecticut based trio High Karup$hin are back with their new project Guerrilla Glue.
Dips & Lo-Wu's - Take Off
Hosted via GRM Daily, the South London duo enlist frequent Local Geezers collaborator Rufus Wilson to deliver a video that perfectly encapsulates the duality of the duo's raw South London roots with a more relaxed tranquil approach to delivering their message.
Local Geezers - Geez Way
After releasing a snippet of an unheard track in collaboration with fellow Derby native Ashley Hunt of Hunt's Emporia for Depop, Local Geezers fans have been chomping at the bit for the release on the mysterious summery track. Now finally "Geez Way" is here.
Jimi drops - Brandy belly
Directed by Local Geezers frequent collaborator Rufus Wilson the video sees Jimi Da Killa meandering around the Derby streets, marketplaces and shops - showing us all there is never a bad place to get Brandy Bellied. Watch the Ted Loco & C4 produced track. Check out this Sludge Magazine exclusive release and remember to drink responsibly.
Q&A with M.I.C
We catch up with the emcee superman punching through grime's glass ceiling. Find out what has fuelled this exciting, polarising, Nintendo loving enigmatic new talent that has everyone from NME to JME and Tim & Barry paying attention.
Q&A with Ella Knight
After the release of her new single Q&A, we managed to have a Q&A of our own with Nottingham based songstress Ella Knight. After performing festivals over the summer and shooting an unreleased music video, there is a lot on the horizon for this Midlands talent.
How to make it as a trap artist from the Midlands
We caught up with Jimi Da Killa and Wiz who along with producer Ted Loco are inseminating the UK rap scene with a much needed shake-up. From nods from publications like VIPER Mag to being covered by the BBC and modelling for Depop there's a lot to delve in to with this talented Derby outfit.