wot do u call it?

shystie, originally uploaded by John Barleycorn.

2 Step, urban or UK Garage has been declared dead many times since So Solid Crew started to fall apart and go "commercial" back in 2001 or 2002. But the genre is still flourishing under the name grime. There are loads of interesting acts and artists. Shystie (it's her excellent Diamond in the Dirt album you can see above), the Streets, Dizzee Rascal, Wiley, Lady Sovereign, Lethal Bizzle, Terror Danjah, Kano, Nasty Crew, Pay As You Go Crew and the Ruff Sqwad are just a few of them.
If you wonder what the f*ck grime is then think sound systems, pirate radio, Jungle and a bit of hip hop, electronica and ragga. It has a real street feel. No big money, big cars, gangstas, thugs, bitches or hoes - just geezers, eskimoes, east end, riddims, cider, rascals and hangin' at the local pub. It's a fresh breeze in these sad and boring times of retarded gangsta wannabes waving their guns and gold chains and their stupid ladies with their humongous silicone boobs dancing around them in bikinis. They suck big time. Grime is the opposite. The antidote. It's vital and exciting. The beats and bass lines are weird, dark and wild. The rhymes are often performed in ragga style but the lyrics are more about ordinary life than about the performers sexual capabilities. That's a welcome change. Vocal combat, battling, between artists and crews are very common. Especially on the pirate radio stations. They are usually very enjoyable and easy to find as mp3's.

Finally, Wiley's performance at Mondo were one of the best I've ever seen. It was most excellent. For more basic information about grime - check Stylus Magazines Grime : The Survival Guide.