An Education in Scottish Grime
As we catch up with Shogun for this month's cover feature – read our interview with the Paisley MC here – here's a look at four more of the key players in Scotland's grime scene
Formed over a decade ago, Levels today comprises of one original crew member – Gallus One – but since 2015, a new generation of MCs and producers are repping the Glasgow collective who also run their own radio station LVLZ. MCs 2T, A.D.Y, A-Macc, Chrissy Grimez and Skola often feature, as well as producers Polonis and Rapture 4D, with the crew’s music now reaching the highest echelons of grime’s gatekeepers, such as Gallus One being played by Apple Music Beats 1 presenter Julie Adenuga.
The Glasgow-based crew, of which Shogun is a part, are in frequent demand by the city’s club promoters. A slew of gigs this summer prepared them for their first London show in October, where Shogun was supported by fellow MCs I.D. and Remark. Currently working on a debut EP, the crew’s work ethic is evident not only in the number of shows they do, but the volume of YouTube videos they’ve released.
Aberdeen hailing MC Ransom FA has been getting a lot of hype recently thanks to reload-worthy tracks such as North Face and the Shogun-featuring Wake Up, his Eskimo Dance appearance and support slots at Skepta and Wiley shows. Before the year is out he plans to drop his EP R&G (Rhythm & Grime).
Eighteen-year-old Glasgow-based producer Polonis broke his teeth on re-fixes and has produced for MCs such as Shogun and Ransom FA, but it’s his Classic Trax debut EP M which caught the attention of producers like Mumdance and Murlo, and BBC Radio 1Xtra grime DJ Logan Sama. Currently collaborating with fellow Levels crew member Rapture 4D, the more industrial leaning artist is soon set to release tracks on their label Plastic Abuse.