It’s a good time to be a Ruff Sqwad fan. Last year’s return for the celebrated grime crew with their FLEE FM EP was recently followed up with the second instalment and accompanying film, prolonging the legacy of one of grime’s greatest crews. Prince Rapid, David Is A King (Dirty Danger) and Slix are hard at work bringing Ruff Sqwad not just to new fans but to older ones who witnessed their initial rise in the golden era of the genre; those who were blasting seminal tapes like Guns N’ Roses Vol 1 & 2 before the social media age; those who spent years trying to decipher their infamous, bombastic sound which stood out in a crowded pack of seminal producers and production.

Their catalogue and impact are such that they deserve a school, college and uni class dedicated to them, and in a time now where rap is studied in universities throughout the globe—from Lupe Fiasco schooling MIT students to OutKast having a college course in Savannah, Georgia—there’s no reason why the UK can’t honour The Sqwad in similar fashion, as a way of inserting their story into the echelons of higher learning, signposting their contribution to UK Black music since the turn of the millennium and contextualising their careers. Whether it’s from a musical angle dissecting their sound or a sociological examination of their era as young Black boys in Tony Blair’s Britain and the advent of advanced music technology and apps like Fruity Loops, Ruff Sqwad’s story can be broken down in ways that can feed classrooms over the course of a year. For they utilised the resources around them and the community early grime festered to become staples both on the microphone and behind the production boards.

Though their sound has become trademark grime, it’s vital to understand that no one Ruff Sqwad track sounds the same, speaking to the beauty and variety of their sound. Take a track like “Xtra”, which celebrates 20 years in 2025. An encapsulation of Prince Rapid’s otherworldly musicality, its haunting bass and hi-hats create room for the crew to lyrically let loose in memorable fashion. Or “Anna”, from Guns N’ Roses Vol. 1, which is deeply orchestral and frenetic—almost like an anthem for soldiers to bop to when they’re set to engage in combat. “Together” is a smooth, guitar-led rhythm sweetened by a female vocal that softens the crew’s lovelorn lyrics. Meanwhile, “Pied Piper” is straight-up grime, instantly recognisable as a staple of the genre. You could spend a month breaking down their seminal White Label Classics in the classroom, an opus rich with the original Ruff Sqwad sound that continues to mystify and inspire.

Making use of the software that became accessible in the early 2000s to construct their masterpieces—programs like eJay and Fruity Loops—Ruff Sqwad was the product of their era pushing their creativity to the max and making tracks that not even the most sophisticated music tools of today could replicate. Their catalogue has fed generations of grime artists, from Dave and AJ Tracey reworking “Pied Piper” on the frantic “Thiago Silva” to Devlin sending for Wiley on the seminal “Xtra Xtra” using Deverlish’s remix of “Xtra”. Not to mention Chip laying down smoke for Bugzy Malone over “Together” on “Coward”. Anything is possible on a beat from the Sqwad.

Then you get to the trajectories of the members. While Rapid has become a celebrated producer in every sense of the word, Tinchy Stryder transitioned into a genuine star, tasting pop success in the late 2000s through singles like “Number One” and “Never Leave You”. Slix and Dirty Danger have maintained respect as emcees, and the likes of Sir Spyro and XTC—both Ruff Sqwad alumni—have become essential grime beatmakers. Turning their talents to helping the next generation of talent, their Ruff Sqwad Arts Foundation was set up in 2017 to give young people from disadvantaged backgrounds access to music opportunities. Inspired by their own journeys, they’re giving back to create chances to those less fortunate but with all the talent in the world. Thus, making their influence felt beyond simply beats and bars.

One close look at Ruff Sqwad and you see a big branch on the family tree of grime, fortified by their colossal sonic and lyrical power. They continue to give so much to so many and, most endearingly, their story is ongoing. The current members are writing more chapters in their expansive book with their return, bringing themselves back into the forefront. So, to any teachers or educators reading this, formalise this rich history and give Ruff Sqwad a spot on the curriculum!