Will UK Drill Die Like Disco?

WILL UK DRILL DIE LIKE DISCO?

uk drill hip hop disco

UK Drill & Disco don’t seem to have much in common at first glance, but will UK Drill ‘die’ like Disco in the 1980s?

After the murder of American rapper PnB Rock, Hip Hop legend and pioneer DMC released a powerful message on the position of Hip Hop and the culture. On Double Down News, DMC spoke of the untimely deaths of rappers over the decades but also the young people who have been shot and killed, yet not remembered and idolised by the majority. DMC makes it clear his issue is beyond the individual, and his enemy is the mindset that causes the violence and normalises these deaths. 

 

Regardless of the era, DMC believes Hip Hop has a responsibility to the listener, as it originated as a positive movement against poverty, violence, drugs and gang culture. Music can tell a real story but doesn’t have to continue glorifying the same issues it was supposed to create opportunities away from.

 

 

“HIP HOP IS DISCO”

On the subject of today’s Hip Hop, DMC explores an interesting comparison and claims current American Hip Hop mirrors the Disco scene of the late 70s. 

 

“People ask me what you think about today’s Hip Hop? and I say it’s Disco. I remember as a little kid Disco was huge, but I went to sleep and woke up the next morning and all over the globe ‘DISCO SUCKS’ … It wasn’t the artists and the music that sucked. It was the fucking lifestyle. If you look at Hip Hop right now, the purple fur coats, diamonds, champagne, Rolls Royces, Bentleys, fucking Learjets, sex, violence, everybody’s living their life. So, what happened when that happened in New York City in the 1970s? (Cos the very thing that’s happening right now in Hip Hop is what Disco did) A motherfucker named Melle Mel came out and made a record, ‘The Message’. Right now we need a 17 to 19-year-old individual to make The Message. To shut down all the nonsense we’re celebrating.”

 

So, this comparison of current American Hip Hop and the end of the Disco era has got me thinking. Firstly, is this true for UK Rap? If Hip Hop was the answer to Disco then what’s the answer to Hip Hop? Where does the Punk scene fit into all of this and what does the Manchester microcosm have to offer? 

 

To help make sense of music listeners’ somewhat overnight transition from Disco lovers to the Death of the Disco, we have to understand how it changed. From what I’ve discovered, Disco reached the mainstream and received backlash for its flamboyancy, hyper-sexualisation, drug use and excessive glitz and glamour. However, this was not the original intention of Disco, which rose from Gay & Queer culture, was led by empowered black female artists and was firmly rooted in Soul. It was a safe and exciting underground space which later lacked substance and became a free for all. 

 

What’s next for UK Drill & Music Culture? 

DMC believes current American Hip Hop is in a similar position with all the lean, violence and material obsession. Is the UK far behind? Will the youth one day wake up and drastically shun what we’re hearing? Maybe not, but the current UK music culture is in for a shake-up.

 

Manchester has done it before. As Disco progressed into House music, Manchester successfully merged the energy of the dancefloor with Punk rebelliousness and the shared DIY attitude of Hip Hop culture. Over the years, Manchester has contributed to bridging the gap between genres and scenes like no other UK city and has developed alongside international scenes. For more context, check out Trash Theory’s recent video ‘Before 1989 – How Manchester became Madchester. 

Music fans have spoken on UK Drill as the new Punk. In its emergence as the voice of the youth – yes, but if you ask me, UK Drill now is more equivalent to Disco in the late 70s. The UK is in a difficult time, we lack security and this era is desperate for music that attacks the stereotypes and status quo rather than reaffirming the false truth that drug dealing, trustless relationships, hatred for your peers and greed are the only subjects people want to hear. Going back to DMC’s comments, you can tell a story of street life in your area, but you don’t need to glorify it. 

 

I think there needs to be a response to mediocre delivery, mediocre lyrics and music created for JD Sports. So, on that note, here’s some Northern and Manchester music that doesn’t do what’s expected. Music that merges the current UK sound with a view to exploring life in modern Britain, instead of just regurgitating it.

Signed to Manchester’s NQ Record label, Blazer Boccle makes insightful music that sounds like Bradford. Check out his EP Where Dreams Come to Die.

Described as a breath of fresh air, Manchester-based Cooper T have been shakin’ it up by uniting music communities and demonstrating real musicianship. 

Salford’s legendary Strategy continually brings his social commentary and truth to ominous and boundary-pushing instrumentals.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *