Welcome to the British movement: Devlin is on the Grime

 

 Devlin, the colorful wordsmith is unlike any other English rapper. He is actually astutely conscious of his surroundings in the current scarce job climate and bleak outlook. You know, the one reposed upon the English youth by belittling older “gents” and Darwinist Conservatives who wave an “entitlement” flag in the face of any young person who wants a prestigious job.        

 Although you probably haven’t heard of Devlin (full name: James Devlin), he is at the forefront of what is deemed “Grime” music in England; Grime is a sub-genre of rap/hip-hop and infuses many punk elements in terms of a stripped sand paper sound, as well as distinctive English vernacular and inflections (i.e. from his track “End of Days”- “Old bill are lerking, Circle the circuit, Cctv cameras are perving”). As it appeared that the Los Angeles/New York movement was perennial, with little or no growth in any other angst-ridden culture, Grime music is curiously infectious and exciting (though, it does take a bit of time to get used to).

 Devlin has already released his debut “Bud, Sweat and Beers” on Island records, which was instantly a classic; somewhat (although, with little room for growth still) comparable to the likes of 2pac’s “Me Against the World” and Eminem’s “Slim Shady Lp”-notably “Just Don’t Give a F*#K”. Devlin’s newest release, due in February of this year, named “A Moving Picture” has already had a preemptive tease with “All Along the Watchtower” as Devlin collaborates with Ed Sheeran and samples Mr. Bob Dylan. The album carries great promise as one would hope that Devlin could break into the American mainstream, creating a much needed aberration from redundant songs about 40 ounce bottles of insipid beer, overweight women who only have a big ‘booty’ due to an unspoken thyroid problem, tear-drop tattoos that represent nothing but a drunken night out and Lil’ superseding every name (plus-just to add a few more grievances-Timbaland going “ey!” in every song he produces, singing about sickly spirits and Pitbull). Check out an acoustic version of “All Along the Watchtower” below and propagate the name, so that Kanye can have a little competition .