The Rise Of UK Drill
Aaron Bishop traces the moments that helped this young scene flourish from its early Chicago-inspired soundscapes to a global sound
TRENCH
The following story contains content that some users may find offensive
In 2021, Tion Wayne and Russ Millions' collaborative single, "Body", became the first UK drill song to reach No. 1 on the Official Singles Chart. It spent three weeks in the top spot and a further eight weeks in the Top 10.
It also topped the charts in Australia, New Zealand and Ireland, and peaked within the Top 10 in five other EU countries. While this was an incredible accomplishment, it wasn’t an easy road to get to this point.
UK drill collectives 67 and 86 perform at their Exclusive Boiler Room set (2017) by Laura BrosnanTRENCH
UK drill rose up from the dark depths of Brixton, South London, in the mid-2010s, via crews like 67 and 150 who were heavily inspired by the Chicago drill movement.
Much like grime before it, the music can be interpreted as protest music and a way for the socioeconomically oppressed to voice both their frustrations and lived experiences on wax.
Over the years, this has been met with disapproving backlash from the mainstream press and the British government—who, at one point, wanted nothing more than to see the back of this Black art form. But, as the saying goes: you can’t stop what is destined for greatness.
While the attacks on drill music have quietened down, artists like Digga D are still battling with censorship, which is something that was explored in great depth in the BAFTA award-winning BBC Three documentary, Defending Digga D.
His shows might still be getting cancelled, but that hasn't stopped Digga D from charting—and charting high—which is a testament to his artistry and the fandom that still surrounds the sound.
Crowd during Unknown T's headline show (2019) by Laura BrosnanTRENCH
The scene is filled with a wide range of artists who've all played their part in propelling drill into mainstream consciousness. All of whom have achieved a remarkable amount of success in the industry, including shows around the world and Gold and Platinum releases.
Headie One
K-Trap
Unknown T
South East London’s DigDat also made history in 2018 with his "Air Force" remix—which featured K-Trap and Krept & Konan and hit the Top 20, the highest chart position for a drill song at the time.
Loski backstage preparing for his headline show by Laura BrosnanTRENCH
Grime and drill come from a very similar space: the latter, much like the former, is the evolution of a sound, an idea rebirthed into something that resonates with a whole new generation and has fought its way to the forefront of the music industry.
Both genres haven't risen without its challenges, but if there’s one thing that drill absolutely shares with grime, it's that it is here to stay.
This digital work has been produced in collaboration with PRS Foundation and POWER UP. The article first featured in TRENCH x Union Black's Chapter One: Game Changers zine.
Words by Aaron Bishop
Photography by Laura Brosnan [Frank Archives]
Videos by GRM Daily, I Am Next, K-Trap, Digga, D, Link Up TV, BBC Three
Commissioned by TRENCH
You are all set!
Your first Culture Weekly will arrive this week.