Novelist’s latest single Endz – a gritty, hoods-up street tale about everyday life for teenagers living ‘on the block’ in South London – boasts the grainy visuals to match`: a huge crew, tracksuits, tower blocks, council high-rises, a pit bull.

Having spent the summer working on new music, the majority of feeling rebellious and political (see War and Ignorant And Wot), Endz is about going back to the roots and understanding that grime – although now a reputable genre in its own right – remains a way of life for lots of kids all over the UK. Grime comes from a place.

In a tribute to the visuals, directed by Novelist himself, we’ve picked out five classic videos that capture the spirit of grime in its purest, grittiest form.

We spoke to Novelist for our November cover feature. See the full feature here.

Mr Wong ft. Crazy Titch, JME & Flirta D - Orchestra Boroughs

Released in 2004, Mr Wong’s Orchestra Boroughs is still regarded as a cult, early-grime anthem and features a young, wide-eyed JME spitting about Nike Air Dunks and Akademiks tracksuits.

Southside Allstars - Southside Riddim

South London’s answer to Lethal B’s Forward Riddim (better known as Pow!), Southside Riddim is a classic record, with a classic video to boot – it features countless MCs, including So Solid Crew’s Asher D.

Crazy Titch - I Can C U

Crazy Titch had the potential to be one of grime’s greatest ever MCs. Now serving a life sentence for murder, I Can C U is the most poignant reminder of how that energy and drive, if channeled properly through his music, could have really set him apart from the rest.

SLK - Hype Hype

A classic grime anthem that still enjoys plenty of rotation in the clubs today and with it, the track that really put Flirta D on the map.

Wiley - Wot Do You Call It

We couldn’t leave Wiley out could we? The track that birthed a legacy – the video features footage shot in Jammer’s basement (better known as ‘The Dungeon’ – where all the original Lord Of The Mics battles were filmed) as well as footage from legendary rave Eskimo Dance, record shops and estates. A vital reference point for grime culture at the time.

Crack Magazine Issue 58 is out now across the UK and Berlin. See Novelist’s cover feature here

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