Grime Acts Whose Lives Would Make Great Films

Straight outta east London?

Image via Wikimedia Commons

After the success of Straight Outta Compton this summer, movie studios are falling over themselves to find rap biographies to put on the silver screen. Whilst many of you thought it was about damn time, it got us thinking about our own music scene, in particular the ever-colourful yet equally gritty world of grime. With grime's powerful rise in mainstream culture, it's only right that some of the artists who paved the way should have their stories told, too.

Lethal Bizzle is certainly no stranger to our screens. Along with Sinead Harnett and acclaimed film composer, David Arnold, they released a track called "Come This Far" as part of Bulmers' #LiveColourful.LIVE campaign. Not only that, but there was a special one-off live performance by them all at One Mayfair in October. Each step of the #LiveColourful.LIVE project was documented on the website, giving fans access to behind-the-scenes footage, interviews with all three artists and videos from the live show. In Bizzle's own words, the track is about his "journey through grime." And, once you hear it, there's a real cinematic essence to it—more than worthy of the silver screen treatment.

Most people can agree that grime has had its representation in films like Kidulthood, Adulthood, Ill Manors and 4.3.2.1. and TV shows like Dubplate Drama and Top Boy, but those are all works of fiction which may, or may not, have been inspired by true events. How about we get a little facts? How about we get educated on a scene that's been around of years but has only just come to the whole world's attention?

Ask anyone involved in the grime scene and they can tell you loads of excellent anecdotes—ranging from Dizzee Rascal's legendary clash with Asher D on Choice FM; the famous Lord Of The Mics back-to-back battle between Wiley and Kano; or the moment Lethal B dropped "Pow (Forward)" and forever changed the landscape of the genre. It's these moments in time that we, as an audience, would love to relive again and see on our screens. Grime might not be as old as hip-hop, but it's still had some incredible stories over its lifetime.

Here are four grime MCs whose biopics we would love to see made.

Lethal Bizzle

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As one of grime's innovators, Bizzle's influence in the scene is unquestionable, from his work with Mo Fire Crew to the iconic "Pow (Forward)" getting banned from every club across the country. Along with his drive to push grime into new territories, as proven in the Bulmers #LiveColourful.LIVE project, Lethal's story is prime for the big screen.

Dizzee Rascal

Still the biggest star grime has ever produced, Dizzee Rascal's career is perfect for the Hollywood treatment. He started in the underground in the early-00s, then went on to smash it in the mainstream—both critically and commercially—and even played on the main stage at Glastonbury. But there's also been drama: his near-confrontation with Crazy Titch, and his unresolved feud with Wiley. This film could very well be grime's answer to Walk The Line.

So Solid Crew

Before grime, there was So Solid Crew. They were the bridge from the UK garage of the early 2000s, to the Skeptas and BBKs of today. Going from Battersea to No. 1 singles and a triumphant BRIT Awards performance, then being dragged down by legal troubles and shows being stopped by police, this could the UK's own sweeping Straight Outta Compton-style epic.

Wiley

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A biography of Wiley would be the story of the entire history of grime: he helped create the genre with his Eski instrumentals, he was there when the first wave broke through, he had big crossover chart success when it went mainstream, and he's still a vital part of the current so-called "resurgence." But more than that, Wiley is such a charismatic, fascinating artist and personality that he'd make a great subject for a 90-minute film.

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