Roll Deep: Still In At The Deep End
On Saturday 25th July, DaMetalMessiah takes over The Yard at Outlook Festival once again for another heavyweight showcase of bass music. This time, we’re very gassed to be welcoming grime crew royalty Roll Deep for a special set, as well as hosting the boat party on the 26th July. For anyone with even a passing interest in grime music, Roll Deep needs little introduction - a name synonymous with the sound and many of its defining artists.
Initially formed by Wiley from members of Pay As U Go Cartel alongside upcoming artists Dizzee Rascal and Tinchy Stryder, Roll Deep announced themselves with “Terrible”, credited to “Entourage Crew”. They quickly became a powerhouse collective, helping to cement grime’s identity as something entirely distinct from UK garage
Their legendary Monday night slot on Rinse FM became essential pirate radio listening, and the crew operated as a revolving door of some of grime’s finest talent. As members like Dizzee Rascal moved on to their own lanes, new voices including Roachee kept the energy fresh, all underpinned by the production wizardry of Danny Weed and Target, who were constantly pushing the sound into new territory.
Roll Deep never stood still. Their debut album leaned into a more commercial direction, testing how far grime could stretch into the mainstream, while still delivering underground classics like “When I’m ‘Ere” and “Heat Up” that remain highly revered to this day. By 2010, they had scored two number one singles with their most chart focused material.
Today, Roll Deep are still very much active. Manga, Breeze, Scratchy, Riko Dan, Roachee and Karnage are still shelling down sets and have new music in the works. For a taste of what’s coming at Outlook, I’ve put together some of my personal favourite musical moments from the crew. Swipe to the end of the carousel for an exclusive preview of new music they’ve been working on.
HERITAGE: @wileycrackcity , @big_flowdan and the rest of @rolldeep.crew take grime to Holland in this clip from the ‘Amsterdam Up In Smoke’ DVD, 2004 🎤🔥
Another jewel in the crown of grime DVDs: the ‘Amsterdam Up In Smoke’ DVD documents an iconic moment in grime and one of the first times it had been exported in such a big way. The show featured Roll Deep, N.A.S.T.Y Crew and The Renegade Boys (including, of course, Purple) and followed them on their trip to Amsterdam pretty much from door to door. In this clip, we see Roll Deep preparing for their set, and shutting it down too.
Head to 🔗trenchtrenchtrench.com to watch it in full.
➡️ #trenchheritage
EXCLUSIVE: New Roll Deep EP this year‼️
full interview on youtube now - link in bio 🔗
manga hopped on the scooter for our new interview series ‘off the handle’ 🛴
he dropped some exclusive roll deep news: a new ep this year called “best in the game.”
we talk about why the reunion happened, the steeze factory cypher, and why wiley + flowdan aren’t currently involved.
#ukrap #grime #rolldeep #wiley
