Grime’s influence on drill is a topic that’s already been written about pretty extensively. From the literal sound of grimey rhythms employed by producers like Bkay to the more abstract influence of grime’s DIY culture and some MCs’ fondness for reloads, it’s always been there—to a degree—but on Digga D’s new “Chief Rhys Freestyle”, we’ve got one of the most upfront examples of the two coming together.
While the freestyle is an ode to Chief Keef and the Chicago drill movement, the sound here couldn’t be more British and grime-inspired.
The comparisons are there in Digga’s rhyme schemes right from the jump, but at the one-minute mark, the grime element completely takes over and the beat descends into the kind of rolling, chugging bass throb you could hear Chronik and the Slew Dem Crew jumping all over.
If there was ever any doubt about grime and drill’s close relationship, “Chief Rhys Freestyle” should surely put that to bed—once and for all.
