25 Best Grime Songs Ever
Contents
“Bow E3” by Wiley
Song Year: 2007
Wiley was one of the original grime artists, and “Bow E3” was one of the first big grime hits. Originally released in 2007, this song has been remixed and sampled many times over. It’s one of the biggest grime hits and has been at the top of the charts in several categories multiple times.
“Shut Up” by Stormzy
Song Year: 2017
Released independently online, “Shut Up” by Stormzy proved to the world that grime isn’t dead. Shut Up was originally written and released as a freestyle rap, but its initial success online led to its re-release.
The song has excellent beats and rapping and features all the classic grime aspects with a more modern twist. It also showcases the camaraderie and friendship of the grime music scene.
“3 Wheel Ups” by Kano
Song Year: 2016
“3 Wheel-Ups” is another grime Renaissance song, this time created by one of the original grime artists. Kano came back with an album in 2016, surprising the music industry and ending up with several number-one hits on the British billboard. Between this song and “That’s Not Me,” grime music made a huge comeback in 2016.
“3 Wheel-Ups” is popular because of Kano’s lyrics, honesty, and featuring Giggs, another grime star.
“Thiago Silva” by Dave and AJ Tracey
Song Year: 2016
In a touching tribute to the soccer player Thiago Silva, Dave and AJ Tracey show the lighter side of grime music. They show off their football jerseys and team pride while rapping in a traditional grime beat and style.
This song highlights the communal aspect of grime and how much culture plays into the music.
“Da Maximum” by Giggs
Song Year: 2022
Although featured on several other songs on this list, this is the first time we’ve seen Giggs with his own. This isn’t because he’s not one of the best British rappers in the game. Instead, Giggs mostly focuses on traditional rap and hip-hop and doesn’t make many solo grime music.
However, “Da Maximum,” Giggs’ latest song and a popular new release, is solidly in the grime genre. He uses classic rap techniques over a grime beat and joins his many collaborators to
“Bring Them All/Holy Grime” by Wiley
Song Year: 2017
Wiley is better known for “Bow E3” and some of his other early grime hits, but he came back in a big way with “Holy Grime.” A tribute to the genre itself, this song encapsulates the culture and the music that the world has grown to love so much.
This song is not only a staple in the genre but a staple in the grime community. It shows Wiley’s importance to the genre and grime’s importance to British culture.
“Overseas” by D Block Europe and Central Cee
Song Year: 2021
Although most classic grime songs are from the early 2000s and 2010s, the genre is far from dead. Recently, D Block Europe and Central Cee released a collaboration that shared all the hallmarks of a classic grime piece but added a little bit of modern flair.
If you want to add a modern grime piece to the list of best grime songs of all time, “Overseas” is a great addition. It’s sure to become a lasting classic.
“Wifey” by Tinie Tempah
Song Year: 2007
Tinie Tempah hasn’t been as active in recent years as other early Grime artists, but his initial songs are a staple in the grime genre. Wifey describes his woman and offers many of the classic tropes of early grime, from fast beats to faster rhymes and rapping.
Tinie Tempah’s later songs weren’t as popular, but he has made a comeback with remixes of his older works, such as “Wifey.”
“When I’m ‘Ere” by Roll Deep
Song Year: 2005
In a rare case, this song was the most popular of a debut album but wasn’t the album’s released single. Roll Deep debuted in 2005 with “In the Deep End,” and “When I’m ‘Ere” quickly became a crowd favorite.
The song received more attention in 2011 when Wiley and Skepta released a remix.
“Next Hype” by Tempa T
Song Year: 2012
“Next Hype” is one of the most famous grime songs, especially outside of the regular grime community. It’s known all over Britain for its inflammatory lyrics and has had several moments in the spotlight as a club anthem and a popular protest song.
Like most grime songs, “Next Hype” features heartfelt, gritty lyrics over a fast beat and is full of the talent of young Tempa T.
“Body 2” by Tion Wayne
Song Year: 2021
In one of the greatest collabs of the year, Tion Wayne brought together Arrdee, Russ Millions, 3X3E1, and several other up-and-coming grime artists to create “Body 2.” It was an anthem of coming together and getting through the late days of the global pandemic and remains popular as a grime song.
“Brand New Day” by Dizzee Rascal
Song Year: 2003
Dizzee Rascal has already been on this list a few times, but it would be wrong not to include Brand New Day. This early grime anthem was part of the first grime revolution and helped the genre become separate from garage music, electronic, and standard British hip-hop. For an early example of grime, Dizzee Rascal is a great choice.
Top Grime Songs, Final Thoughts
With all of these songs, your ultimate grime playlist is set. From Kano to Lady Leshurr, these songs make up some of the best and most original grime lyrics and beats to exist. Inside or outside of Great Britain, grime music is catching on.
