If grime is the soundtrack of London street culture, Air Max is the uniform
- Text by Shelley Jones
Filmmaker Grace LaDoja explores the relationship between grime and Nike Air Max in a new mini documentary featuring pioneering artists and upcoming new MCs.
Air Max – The Uniform features interviews with Boy Better Know’s Skepta and Shorty – icons of grime’s first wave – as well as new kids on the scene like Novelist, Elf Kid and Deejillz from South London crew The Square.
The doc explores how the sound and style of London street culture evolved in a unique way, far from America’s gratuitous influence. “It’s not like rap where you have to make everything flashy,” says Novelist. “You just do your own thing.”
Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
You might like
Landmark new exhibition is celebrating 50 years of female punk
God Save the Queens – The Museum of Youth Culture is bringing together rare photography, archive material and a one-night-only supergroup featuring members of X-Ray Spex, The Slits and The Raincoats.
Written by: Ella Glossop
Cristale: “Living in London taught me to be grateful”
What Made Me – In this series, we ask artists and rebels about the forces and experiences that shaped who they are. Today, it’s Brixton-born rapper Cristale.
Written by: Cristale
Hak Baker: “Being a lad is dreaming of a decent life”
Hard Feelings — The East London storyweaver joins our column on masculinity and fatherhood to chat about being raised by his mother, his family of friends, and the momentary bliss of the sesh.
Written by: Robert Kazandjian
Space Afrika are flying the flag for the Black avant-garde
Quiet Storm — Mancunian duo Joshua Tarelle Reid and Joshua Inyang have been soundtracking their vision of industrial decay for the best part of a decade. Their latest album sees the pair join forces with global diasporic voices to create their most personal, expansive record yet.
Written by: Jack Dennison-Thompson
The long history of slop in music
Top of the Slops — The term might be everywhere now, but the act of copying and enshittifying has been around for decades, explains Ian McQuaid.
Written by: Ian McQuaid
Sports Banger is throwing a party to mark 90 years since the Battle of Cable Street
“Fascists hate dancing” — The October event will bring DJs, live music, sound system culture and anti-fascist politics together in East London.
Written by: Ella Glossop
