“He’s our equivalent to Jay-Z.”DJ Cameo

MC and producer Wiley has been at the forefront of grime for over seven years. He’s helped shape what many call “the true sound of the British inner-city” through underground classics and the Eski sound.

But it’s all come to a surprising end as the east London pioneer has decided to call it a day.

1Xtra’s DJ Cameo spoke to the Godfather of grime to find out whether there was any truth in the rumours. Read the highlights below.

Listen to the full interview with DJ Cameo

Wiley on:

Giving up grime:
“I retired from the grime scene because I felt it was time for me to move on and leave it to the young’ns to take over and fly the flag.”

Leading the scene:
“I can’t because I’ve got my own child. Image – if you’re a ‘godfather’ in grime it means you’re like a dad to thousands of people and that’s impossible. That’s hard.”

Carrying on:
“I can keep being Wiley but it’s a really cold world. It’s a lonely world to be Wiley. You have to be on this ting everyday, and when people try it you have to run-up the radio. It’s a lot of stuff to be Wiley.”

Change:
“The four people at the top – Wiley, Lethal, Kano, Dizzee – don’t even work together so where’s the game going? The future’s not dead it just needs another new leader.”

Big ‘P’s:
“There is money but there isn’t money in being an artist yet. Once I get over the wall – the business side – and turn it around for all the kids they’ll be rich.”

His future:
“I’m gonna work with Ice Kid (15). I’m gonna make sure he receives the gift. I’m not just gonna leave. I’m gonna plant seeds.”

Listen to the full interview with DJ Cameo


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