EXCLUSIVE

Hype Sessions: The Gloves Are Off As Tommy B And Jay 0117 Face Off For ‘Lord Of The Mics 8’

Lord Of The Mics, the colossal grime platform founded and led by Jammer and Ratty, is making its return for a massive eighth season. Over the years there have been some monumental clashes and warm-up sessions that have changed the face of the grime scene in ways you couldn’t imagine. In fact, LOTM can trace its history before grime even had a name. Those iconic clashes are embedded into the minds of any true grime fan. Kano vs. Wiley, Skepta vs. Devilman, Footsie vs. Scratchy, P Money vs. Big H… and the eighth edition looks like it’ll be just as heated and just as game-changing.

Ahead of the official release, we’ve teamed up with the LOTM team to exclusively premiere the batch of Hype Sessions. If, somehow, you’re not entirely familiar with the institution that is the Lord Of The Mics warm-up sessions, each clash is preceded by a quick filmed freestyle of each MC, which basically gives them all an opportunity to rile up their opponents and stoke the flames of competition in the hopes their opponent will get too heated and make a mistake.

TRENCH will be premiering all eighteen Hype Sessions in the build-up to the full release of Lord Of The Mics 8. Today, we’re profiling London spitters Logan and Armz.

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Tommy B

After some standout freestyles and a well-timed collaborative single with his forebear, Devlin, Essex boy Tommy B carved out quite a position for himself. His unapologetically rowdy and on-the-terraces delivery is the perfect response to naysayers who are too quick to call time on the scene. Last year’s “The Statement” was precisely that: a statement of intent and a challenge to any emcee willing to take him on. This series of Lord Of The Mics has done a lot to champion the younger generation, and Tommy B is rapidly making his way to the top. Can he maintain his reputation for standing tall next to grime’s biggest legends?

“My Hype Session is a perfect example of why this washed-up cowboy I’m clashing could never step on my level,” he told us. “Straight bars. No silly hooks or gimmicks. This ain’t WWE! I’m here to prove I am a lord of the mic, not a lord of the memes.”

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Jay 0117

Stepping up for Bristol is hardened sparrer Jay 0117, who’s coming in hot with his takedown. Using his Hype Session to poke holes in Tommy B’s bravado, Jay accuses him of ripping off Devlin and questioning his credentials on road. Having earned his stripes with a tonne of freestyles and videos, he also deserves credit for his appearance at Grime Originals, proving without a shadow of a doubt that he can stand shoulder to shoulder with the best of them.

“My Hype Session, ‘Vajazzle’, produced by Audioslugs, is different to the rest: nobody has done a comedy intro like mine on previous Lord Of The Mics. I edited the video myself and got a mate to film it, just a light warm-up before I spin my young son’s head off and make him go and sit on the naughty step.”

Keep it locked on TRENCH to see Hype Sessions from Funky Dee, Mischief and more.


Posted on June 02, 2019