Debuted by Mistajam [who else?] Manga & Wiley talk to the a Hottie on their new single. Features a great use of Wiley’s favourite world “Wrong’un”.

Princess Nyah dropped her Destroy and Rebuild EP this week.

Comprising a mix of her funky roots with the newer dubstep elements provided by collaborators Ill Blu, Champion and DJ Wonder the Destroy & Rebuild EP is a big statement about Nyah’s plans for 2012. Already the Wiley featuring Soldier has been getting radio reloads courtesy of Mistajam and last week saw Nolay and Nyah shoot a video to Artillery so don’t be surprised to be seeing some sick visuals hitting your screens soon.

Head here to download the Destroy & Rebuild EP for free and look out for Princess Nyah’s debut album dropping later this year, Patience and Persistence.

Wiley joins Max and Helen on the Soccer AM sofa.

#BrilliantBitOfFootage is the hash tag for Twitter comments on this one.

When Darwin’s theory of evolution arrived in 1859, the population arose to oppose it. Why? Because people were comfortable with the concept of life they had been accustomed to since the beginning of time. Humans don’t like change. When Wiley released Evolve or Be Extinct over 150 years later, it created criticism and christened fresh confusion concerning his reign over grime and his state of mind. Read on to find out why?

Why? Because the listeners are attached to the sounds they fell in love with in the past. However, forward-thinking fans who see the bigger picture will empathise with the E3 extrovert’s mission and the motivation for this musical transition.

Music goes through phases and inevitable changes. Whilst a handful of grime-heads will desire the resurrection of old-school Eskiboy, the Bow originator understands and acknowledges that flexibility and openness to adaptation is paramount for survival (see the title of the LP).

Artist: Wiley

Album: Evolve or Be Extinct

Label: Big Dada

Release Date: 19 January 2012 (Also Wiley’s birthday!)

Total Time: 01:10:45

Tracks: 22

Previous Album: Chill Out Zone (12 July 2011)

Within this 22 track LP the pioneer puts his theory into practice and paints the new path he wants to put himself and the genre on. This album has the instrumental diversity that would be expected from something like a Roots Manuva CD; Wiley experiments with a spectrum of musical tastes and explores every corner of his cranium’s creativity. The end product is an LP with endless freedom, charisma and character.

The track This Is Just An Album is a song stripped to simplicity and is one which summarises the essence of this album;

“Its crazy trying to make an album that you want to connect with so many people”

In case it wasn’t already explicit enough, Wiley signposts with this track the direction he is travelling in with music from now on. The well-travelled east Londoner is evidently bored of being confined behind the rigid bars of a genre, he wants to break free of the regulations and make music which holds no boundaries. If you listen to this album, it’s prone to leave you perplexed; our advice is forget the track order, listen to This Is Just An Album first and then proceed to the other tracks; it all becomes a lot more jovial to consume and digest.

This is the third project Wiley has released under Big Dada who have loosened the reins on him and it is plain to hear in the music that this is what he truly desires and the resulting releases satisfy him. Regardless of whatever grudges listeners hold or whatever nit-picking flaws critics cheerfully expose, it is undeniable that Richard Kylea Cowie is a music man at heart. His pleasure is to portray the proud passion that he possesses onto records without the pressures of deadlines and directors; who demand that he follows the recipe and ingredients which apparently appease the industry’s appetites. No way, Wiley is not a ‘yes’ man.

This record recognises his somewhat random personality and maverick lifestyle. Typical of Wiley, the lyrics are poetically loose and metaphoric leaving plenty of room for the listener to re-create the images and feelings that the artist intended. You can effortlessly zone out into the same space that Wiley was in when he wrote the song you’re listening to.

In Weirdo he raps:

“I’m a weirdo but I’m not a bipolar, turn up at the show – I ain’t even on the poster”

[The RWD office were highly amused by this].

People often say that Wiley has run out of subject matter but this is his ninth studio album, there are 22 tracks on here all of which are capable of keeping the interest of the listener. With such an illustrious past and unorthodox take on life, how could he possibly be accused of monotony or lack of variety? Ridiculous.

Also, don’t forget what you’re getting here is a pure Wiley album, a lot of LP’s of late tend to feature more secondary artists than the one that’s supposed to be in the spotlight! There are minimal features and input from other talents. Having said that, Wiley is no newcomer to the idea of bringing through fresh or underrated talent; in Only Human he lets Cashtastic and Tereza Delzz take control of the track, whom incidentally both definitely do it justice.

One thing we all know and love about Wiley is the relaxed and openness of his sense of humour which he facilitates on Twitter and on the microphone too. One of the skits Can I Have A Taxi Please? is a prime example of this and demonstrates a dimension which Wiley isn’t afraid to display unlike most other more regimented artists.

Wiley is moving in a new direction and throwing new sounds and innovative ideas at a tough audience; just like Charles Darwin. His work wasn’t fully accepted or appreciated till a decade later. Is this album ahead of its time?

Wiley – Boom Blast

Rating: 3/5

Track(s) to check: Highs and Lows, Welcome to Zion

Track to avoid: Customs

Reason for Buying: Listen to how Wiley sounds without a leash restraining him

Reason for Binning: If you are stubborn and refuse to accept transition in genres

Words by Riky Bains (@RikyBains1, thisisriky.co.uk)

Already one of the nights of the year, Eskimo Dance saw some of Grime’s biggest names come together for an absolute explosion of energy. If you didn’t make it to the O2, then don’t threat with a DVD of the night coming soon. The trailer, released today has got us hyped.

Already one of the nights of the year, Eskimo Dance saw some of Grime’s biggest names come together for an absolute explosion of energy. If you didn’t make it to the O2, then don’t threat with a DVD of the night coming soon. The trailer, released today has got us hyped.

Here’s some footage of the legendary Eskimo Dance with some of your favourite Grime Mcs like Wiley & Jme + more. Flow Dan got the wheel of wheels. Shell. If you have footage, tweet us with hash tag #EskimoDance2012

Check out the photo blog by Kids of Grime too HERE

This weekend saw Proud2 prove grime was well and truly alive as your favourite MC’s took to the stage at Wiley’s Eskimo Dance. Check out the pics courtesy of @kidsofgrime and look out for some exclusive footage hitting the site soon.

One of the key nights in the building of Grime culture, Eskimo Dance, makes its long awaited return this weekend with a massive lineup including Wiley, Skepta, JME, P Money, Ghetts and a whole lot more.

The venue for some of the biggest events in Grime history, a changing political climate brought about a premature end to Eskimo Dance, but with the last generation of MCs from the scene coming into their own over the last three years, it was only right that the event return. Featuring a lineup of the biggest and best in the UK, Eskimo Dance will takeover Proud2 for its second debut as Wiley, Skepta, JME, P Money, Ghetts, Blacks, Marger, Kozzie, Manga, OG’z, Boy Better Know and more aim to restore the night to its former glory.

If you’re not into Grime, we’re not sure why you’d be at Eskimo Dance, but the event’s second room will have you covered, with the best in RnB, Hip-Hop, Bashment, UK Funky & House covered by Funk Butcher, Chuckie, Invasion Crew, Carlos Airies, MA1, Dark & Deadly, Zacman Hosts Versatile & Ramzee

More info and tickets available at eskimodance.co.uk

Wiley’s got a busy few days ahead of him with the return of Eskimo Dance on Friday, the release of his new single Boom Blast on Monday and then the release of his new album Evolve Or Be Extinct the following Thursday, his birthday no less.

Wiley’s got a busy few days ahead of him with the return of Eskimo Dance on Friday, the release of his new single Boom Blast on Monday and then the release of his new album Evolve Or Be Extinct the following Thursday, his birthday no less.

Ahead of this weekend’s relaunch of the legendary Eskimo Dance, Wiley has opened up about the state of real Grime music and fired a few scattered shots to set the scene.

Speaking to Time Out in preparation for the return of Grime stalwart Eskimo Dance this weekend, the scene’s godfather denounced his inclusion on Lethal Bizzle’s Pow reboot Pow 2011, calling it a “desperate play”.

Speaking frankly Wiley offered “I did spit on the tune, but the truth is that Lethal B[izzle] is weak for re-releasing it. I’m not trying to redo “Eskimo”. It makes grime look like it’s run out of ideas. “Pow 2011” [Lethal Bizzle originally released the track in 2004] is desperate play. I’m not saying I don’t pull desperate play moves – I might yet – but they don’t help. Whether “Pow 2011” charted or not, that should’ve been a new Lethal B song.”

When asked about a possible full return to traditional Grime, Wiley didn’t hold back “See, I would, but I don’t wanna be the one who does a grime song, pays the plugger £2,500, sends it to Radio 1 and gets told to eff off. I dunno how many times I could do that.”

RWD will be in the building for Eskimo Dance at Proud2 on Friday January 13.

Buy your tickets right here