Roll Deep
Roll Deep | |
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File:Roll Deep.jpg | |
Background information | |
Origin | London, UK |
Years active | 2005–present |
Members | See Members in text |
Roll Deep is an East London based UK garage/grime/UK hip-hop crew fronted by Wiley Kat. The grime artist Dizzee Rascal was once a member. Their debut album, "In At The Deep End" was released in June 2005. Three singles have been released so far from the album, "The Avenue", "When I'm 'Ere" and "Shake a Leg" have received a lot of airplay both on urban radio and urban TV stations. The group has a regular slot on London's pirate radio station, Rinse FM. The groups music is mainly described as grime, however, songs such as "The Avenue" and "Bus Stop" are much more mainstream oriented.
Roll Deep have been consistent supporters of Love Music Hate Racism and have played at many of the organisations more high profile events including the memorial for murdered teenager Anthony Walker.
Roll Deep have been dropped from Relentless Records in January 2006 due to poor sales from the album and singles. They have now set up their own record label "Roll Deep Recordings". Roll Deep's crew consists of about 20 people. But the main Roll Deep has only 6 Mc's.
In October 2006, Roll Deep will become the second musical act to be involved in Tate Tracks. Tate Modern invited various groups and songwriters to choose a work that inspired them from the gallery's collection of modern art and then write a track about it. Roll Deep's submission, Searching, was inspired by the Anish Kapoor sculpture Ishi's Light, and can be heard on headphones in front of the work from 1st October. From November 2006, it will also available to hear online at the Tate Tracks website.
In Novemeber 2006, Roll Deep have been involved with the Metropolitan Police Service 'Trident' StopTheGuns.Org campaign and have released a video directed by Jake Nava who's portfolio includes "Beyoncé - Crazy In Love" and "Kelis - Milkshake". The video is called 'Badman' and is their latest single. It shows a young man and his friends being faced and challenged by aggressive youths causing him to pull out a pistol, which inadvertantly leads him to shoot an innocent passer-by. The motivations behind this video are to reduce gun crime and to stop young people from hurting eachother by challenging youths and young men to think about the decisions they make in undesirable situations and the unforseen consequence that may occur as a result. It will be released along with their other tracks on their forthcoming album 'Rules & Regulations'.
Members
- Wiley Kat (MC & Producer)
- Flowdan
- Riko
- Trim
- Manga
- Scratchy (MC & Producer)
- Breeze
- Brazen
- Roachee
- JME (MC & Producer)
- Skepta (MC & Producer)
- Syer B
- Jet Li
- Biggie Pitbull
- Danny Weed (Producer & DJ)
- Target (Producer)
- Karnage (DJ)
- Maximum (DJ)
- Dom P (Singer)
Origins
The term 'roll deep' originates from an London expression along the lines of 'safety in numbers' and general 'hardness', or rather as a defensive strategy within the urban setting that, debatably, is meant to ensure one's safety. To roll deep means to be out with a large crew, a lot of people.