Roll Deep

Founded in Bow, east London, in 2001 around Wiley, Roll Deep belongs to the first generation of grime that emerged from the shift between UK garage, pirate radio and British rap. The collective, whose line-up has changed considerably over the years, has at various times brought together MCs and DJs such as Flowdan, Scratchy, Breeze, Brazen, Manga Saint Hilare, Riko Dan, DJ Target and DJ Karnage, with notable stints by Dizzee Rascal, Tinchy Stryder, Skepta and Jammer. Initially active through mixtapes and maxis circulated on the independent circuit, Roll Deep later released the albums In at the Deep End (2005), Rules and Regulations (2007), Return of the Big Money Sound (2008), Winner Stays On (2010) and X (2012). Their sound began as a raw, collective and confrontational form of grime, driven by very distinctive flows, and gradually opened up to more melodic productions and broader formats without severing its roots in the London scene. This trajectory also included collaborations with Jodie Connor and Alesha Dixon. Paused from 2013, Roll Deep reappeared on stage and resumed activity in 2024 in a lineup tied to the crew’s shifting history.