Fintan Cadden

For many years’ grime music, has dominated the underground scene throughout London, but the recent exploits have created stars and a booming, genre of music. Young MCs have begun popping up all over the place and not just London as it grows to become an international genre, and with all these young guns fighting for a pace at the top, its only good news for the grime genre. This has led to the emergence of Webz, a young shining star rising up the ranks. Headlining small events and club, Webz has not had an easy rise to the top, but now he’s there, he has no intention of stopping. “Tough upbringings make the humblest successors” stated Webz as we sat in his local café down the bustling streets of south-east London. “Living in council flats was not easy, no luxuries, no holidays, just straight grindin’ since young” Webz described his child hood through three life choices “As a kid it was either Drugs, music or Prison” and based on his life success so far, he seems to of made the right one. The rise to the top as a grime Mc is no easy feat, especially with the scene being as big as it is now, but Webz achieved his dreams and aspirations through the group ‘Youth’. Growing up together and recording each other spitting bars on their Nokias has led to the height they are at now. Youth, made up by 2 other members, Tempa and Champ, and together their meteoric rise has been unstoppable. “This past year has been surreal, immense support, crazy growth and insane love from everyone around us” said Tempa. “We’re not anything special, all we do is spit bars and diss haters” humbly described by Champ. Eager to find out more about how they have ended up in this position I began to question the artists. ‘Who was your favourite artist growing up’ Webz was first to answer saying “Skepta was a huge influence for me, if you listen to my music you can sense an early Skepta within it, which is all credit to him due to his monumental ability” Champ quickly agreed adding “he was the first real big star and all upcoming artists look up to him” I wanted to find out more about how they’re different and why they are now the dominating MCs in the scene “we’re here off our hard work and talent. We’ve had to battle the best to get here and are willing to take anyone on to stay at the top” after chatting away the whole morning talking about their careers, I began to see a further insight into the men behind the videos. Intrigued to find out more, I asked them ‘what hobbies do you have apart from music?’ Tempa told me “we all enjoy football, playing watching and even playing it on the consoles, or just chillin’ together maybe a joint and some music.” I then went on to ask them about the future for them, what it holds, what they want to achieve, Tempa Replied with “to change the outlook on this genre and create a change, maybe get into the top 10 in the charts which would be a huge achievement for the genre”, then Champ followed this up with “also helping out others with the same path as us is always important, getting them into something they are talented at and keep them off the streets and out of trouble” “yes, I hugely agree with that, never forget your roots they say” added Webz. The rise of Youth has been immensely similar to BBK back in the day and the trio will hope they can go on to achieve what their idols have. Only the future knows what Youth hold, but for now we can rave to their current tunes.