Grime Kids: The Inside Story of the Global Grime Takeover

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DJ Target’s Grime Kids sells itself as the definitive inside story of grime. While books like Wiley’s Eskiboy keep it from being the uncontested champ, it will surely be one of the go-to texts for years to come. Anyone with even a passing interest in grime music or East London spirit will be well served by Grime Kids. The Rap Game UK mentor DJ Target is one of the show’s executive producers and says the series will allow viewers a glimpse into “how a young person at that time lived, got about and navigated to get to their dream”. As a not-for-profit media organisation using constructive journalism to strengthen communities, we have not put our digital content behind a paywall or subscription fee as we think the benefits of an independent, local publication should be available to everyone living in our area. Tom Leggett, Executive Producer, Mammoth Screen says: “We are thrilled to be announcing to the world the amazing cast of Grime Kids, who have brought Theresa’s beautiful scripts to life”.

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Yus Jamal Crooks will be making his TV debut, alongside Shanu Hazzan (EastEnders), Juwon Adedokun (We Love Moses), Gabriel Robinson (Silent Witness), and Tienne Simon ( Silent Witness). BFI Flare Special Presentation: HOUSEKEEPING FOR BEGINNERS (North Macedonia-Poland-Croatia-Serbia-Kosovo, dir.-scr. Goran Stolevski) Technology has moved on since then, in many ways to artists’ benefit, but the creative community that underpins Grime Kids really does feel like a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence. Seeing it from Target’s perspective is a real privilege. Inspired by DJ Target’s book of the same name, Grime Kids is an original drama written by Bafta-nominated and BIFA-winning writer Theresa Ikoko. A group of kids in the 90s had a dream to make their voice heard – and this book documents their seminal impact on today’s pop culture.

A love letter to east London

The rise of grime music is a story best told from the inside. That’s the ethos that underpins Grime Kids, a retelling of the genre’s early days by someone who was there from the very beginning – DJ Target. The BBC share: “Grime Kids charts the rise of a fictional group of young adults growing up in the late 90s, dreaming of being able to make their voice heard through grime music. DJ Target added: “I’m beyond excited for this story to be brought to life on screen. It’s a real testament to how far UK music has come over the years, which is something that needs to be celebrated. Working with Theresa Ikoko and the mighty Mammoth Screen is a real honour, and I can’t wait for everybody to see this.” Series creator Theresa Ikoko says: “The casting process was one of my favourite parts of making this show. The first time seeing all five leads together was such a magical moment; we knew instantly that we had something special with them.” Junior, Dane’s best friend, is the ‘dad’ of the group. During the series, he learns to confront his grief over the death of his mum head on and put aside old resentments and see the best in people.

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The series is markedly different from the book and traces the lives of five fictional characters, growing up in the early 2000s, desperate to have their voices heard through music. Although fictional, it is inspired by DJ Target’s 2019 non-fiction book of the same name. Grime Kids follows a group of teenagers using music to share their voices, whilst navigating growing up in the 90s. It is a celebration of culture and community, and the ever-growing genre of grime. Poorna Bell, author of In Case of Emergency. Ian Gavan/Getty Images for World Photography Organisation Ultimately, the series is about music, friendship and figuring out what kind of man you want to be when the world still sees you as a kid. A love letter to east London Dane is the ambitious dreamer and leader of the crew. He’s determined to turn his dreams into a reality and finds his first love Genevieve along the way.A new BBC Three drama will explore the emergence of grime music from subculture to international phenomenon. Speaking about the setting of the series, creator Theresa Ikoko says "It’s a real privilege to showcase the communities of east London in my writing. I've had the pleasure of calling east London home for most of my life. I hope the love I have for this special part of the world shines through in this show." Bishop, the quiet thinker, learns an important lesson in appreciating the relationships in his life over flashy things. Set in 2001 at the start of summer, Grime Kids follows the five friends Dane, Junior, Kai, Bishop and Bayo, known as the “Gladiator Crew”. The lads navigate first loves, disapproving parents and brushes with danger - each coming of age in their own way, while setting out to have their music played on the airways. Meet the cast of Grime Kids

Grime Kids: Theresa Ikoko has cooked up a slice of teenage joy

Meet the stars of Grime Kids (please note this video has no commentary) The casting process was one of my favourite parts of making this show. The first time seeing all five leads together was such a magical moment; we knew instantly that we had something special with them. Theresa Ikoko commented to the BBC: “The first time seeing all five leads together was such a magical moment; we knew instantly that we had something special with them.” An exciting new series debuting at this year’s London Film Festival is Grime Kids by BAFTA-nominated writer and British playwright Theresa Ikoko, based on DJ Target’s book, following a group of teenage boys trying to make a mark in the world through grime. As high school closes for the summer, with GCSEs done and dusted, a group of friends realise the impending end of their childhood years. Prepping for maturity, they aim to live their summer to the fullest having fun, while also securing their future in the music industry. This is the story of Dane, Bishop, Bayo, Junior and Kai. Target makes a point of saying he does not use a ghostwriter, and it’s a good call. His prose captures the excitement, joy, and buzz of his experiences in a pure and authentic way. In many respects, the book follows the same beats as the genre it documents. It muddles around in East London, is seduced by garage and jungle music, and then finds its feet exploring the mysteries of a new genre.Each individual has his own defining characteristic, a story to tell and a reason to look for something more than what life can provide. Set in the early 2000s, Grime Kids explores how the environment in which a person grows up affects their choices, actions and the kind of people they surround themselves with. It touches on the different approaches to parenting – from the overly strict to the neglectful to the ones incredibly dependent on their children – and how the absence of parental authority can urge young individuals to look for family elsewhere, whether it be through their friends or the idols they look up to. The writing highlights these different dynamics through toxic friendships, jealousy and familial rifts. Fiona Campbell, Controller, BBC Three says: “It’s a great pleasure to announce the incredibly talented cast of Grime Kids - a fantastic new story rich with life, told through the eyes of teens in the best summer of their lives. I can’t wait for BBC Three viewers to get to know them.” Grime Kids has finished filming and will be available on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer later this year. Led by a cast of rising young talent, Grime Kids stars Shanu Hazzan (EastEnders, The Gentleman), Juwon Adedokun (We Love Moses, Damilola, Our Loved Boy), Gabriel Robinson (Casualty, Silent Witness), Tienne Simon (Silent Witness) and Yus Jamal Crookes making his debut TV appearance. Grime Kids is directed by Abdou Cisse and Ian Aryeh, and produced by Irma Inniss. Executive producers are Theresa Ikoko, DJ Target, Tom Leggett and Damien Timmer for Mammoth Screen, and Nawfal Faizullah for the BBC. The series is distributed internationally by Fifth Season.