FROM IMPORT TO EXPORT: The Global Impact Of The British Drill Scene
Drill is the sub-genre of hip-hop that has been prominent in the U.K music scene over the past few years. Originating in Chicago and pioneered by the likes of a young Chief Keef circa 2012, the genre quickly began to gain popularity due to its often-violent lyrics and raw, authentic delivery more so than traditional hip-hop tracks.
This sound travelled globally thanks to the Internet and mainstream exposure. U.K artists and producers blending with it Grime and Garage to revamp and own this newfound sound. The heavy drops and hard-hitting 808 drums make the beats headbangers and allow for eerie storytelling, jumpy flows and assertive bars.
Arguably becoming one of the top anthems of the summer, Pop Smokes’ ‘Welcome To The Party’ was released in April and has already seen remixes from Nicki Minaj, Skepta and French Montana. Hailing from Brooklyn, Pop Smoke is just one of the number of drill artists to emerge out of New York, other notable artists include Sheff G and 22Gz.
His debut project Meet The Woo was released in July and includes the singles ‘Meet The Woo’ and ‘Welcome To The Party.’ It is produced entirely by the British beatmaker 808Melo, an East London native who forms part of the U.K collective Trap House Mob. On this project Pop Smoke takes on the U.K Drill sound, which differs significantly from its Chicago counterpart, his jumpy flow and repetitive bars are reminiscent of some of London’s emerging Drill artists.
HELLA UK ARTISTS ON TRAP MUSIC. BUT YOU PATTY’S WANNA COMPLAIN ABOUT AN AMERICAN DON ON A UK DRILL BEAT — 808Melo
808Melo first came on the scene in 2017 after featuring heavily on Headie One and RVs collaborative mixtape The Jugg. However, 808Melo’s major break came last year as he received production credits on Headie One’s catchy ‘Know Better.’ Now he’s getting the global recognition he deserves thanks to streaming sites such as YouTube, where Pop Smoke says he discovered the young producer. Other prominent figures within the Drill scene with intro tags you can recognise in an instant include M1OnTheBeat, MK The Plug and U.K rap veteran Carnshill.
From being imported from Chicago to exporting a revamped sound around the globe, artists from Australia, North America and Europe have all stated they’ve received their influence from the U.K Drill scene. With Germany’s Gzuz and Australian group ONEFOUR all possessing that Drill aesthetic, it’s safe to say that the U.K have now solidified themselves as pioneers in this game.
Written by Ali Twice
