HIP-HOP

A Collector’s Guide by Dudley Jaynes. Part 6: The UK Underground

Hip-hop from these shores has always struggled to achieve the same recognition as its American counterpart. While creativity and innovation has always been a strong feature of UK hip-hop, a number of factors have conspired to maintain this duality. The UK record-buying market holds some responsibility, due to its smaller capacity and impatience which have seen “successful” chart acts such as Stereo MCs and Silver Bullet branded as sell-outs, as well as mass migrations away from hiphop (as happened in the late 80s when the rave scene took hold).

As UK hip-hop developed from the blueprint created by artists such as Family Quest and Junior Gee, to the late 80s sound characterised by The Demon Boyz and Hijack, it evolved into a genre sometimes referred to as Britcore. Interestingly, this British sound was initially influenced by the ‘fast rap’ of US artists like Big Daddy Kane.

By 1990 hip-hop from these shores found itself in a strange juxtaposition. On the one hand some groups such as Caveman and Hijack were receiving major label interest and it seemed that success across the pond, not seen since Derek B, was assured. On the other hand, the movement now known as Britcore was beginning to permeate the very epicentre of British hip-hop and an increasing number of releases featured …

by Dudley Jaynes
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