It was on Roll Deep's breakout single, 2004's "When I'm Ere", that Wiley proudly (and rightfully) boasted: Eskiboy's the reason why everybody's here. As testament to the influence and staying power of the emcee in grime—over a decade later, this still rings true. Instrumental in uncovering and pushing the talents of everyone from Dizzee Rascal and Skepta to Chipmunk and Stormzy, the most remarkable facet of Wiley's continued relevance has been his ever-present status amongst the grime scene elite over the last fifteen years.
Still the avant-garde oddball of the scene and still a major crowd draw, Wiley's music remains a must-have in record collections. The Complex music crew pored over the painstaking task of selecting the cream of his output over the years, and as possibly the most prolific British musician since the turn of the century, it was one of the hardest lists we have ever compiled. Having whittled down hundreds of tracks across albums, mixtapes, random online drops and white labels—here we are now with The 25 Best Wiley Songs.
25. "Never Be Your Woman" f/ Emeli Sandé (2010)
24. "Last Ten Years" (2010)
23. "Aim High" (2012)
22. "Sorry, Sorry, Pardon, What?" (2007)
21. "Crash Bandicoot Freestyle" (2006)
20. "Mum I'm Stronger" (2007)
19. "So Amazing" (2006)
18. "From The Outside" f/ Teddy & JME (2014)
17. "Stormy Weather" (2006)
Out of the many gems floating on Da 2nd Phaze LP, "Stormy Weather" saw Wiley at his most vulnerable point. Tackling everything from money-grabbing majors and "the system" to the jealousy of others around him, the drawn-out, wallowing low-end on the Rihanna-licked production saw an urgent but passionate delivery that came from the depths of Wiley's inner-being. A reflective grimey number for the chill-out room. —Joseph 'JP' Patterson
16. "I'm A Sinner" (2006)
15. "Ice Cream Man" (2004)
14. "50/50" (2007)
13. "Nightbus Freestyle" (2006)
12. "Gangsters" (2007)
11. "Where's My Brother?" (2009)
10. "Nicole's Groove" (2000)
9. "Eski-Boy" (2005)
8. "No Qualms (Wear My Own Garms)" (2007)
7. "Morgue" (2003)
6. "Igloo" (2003)
5. "On A Level" (2014)
4. "Bow E3" (2007)
3. "Eskimo" (2002)
2. "Ice Rink" (2003)
1. "Wot Do U Call It?" (2004)
—Joseph 'JP' Patterson