HERITAGE: Frisco And Risky Roadz Take Us On Grime's Journey From Pirate Radio To The Mainstream (2017)

HERITAGE: Frisco And Risky Roadz Take Us On Grime's Journey From Pirate Radio To The Mainstream (2017)


February 07, 2020

Last year, Channel 4 commissioned a long-overdue documentary about the history of grime and how pirate radio culture helped shaped both the sound and the infrastructure of one of Britain's greatest exports. Led by Roony 'Risky Roadz' Keefe and BBK's Frisco, the doc followed them on their journey unpacking pirate radio's legacy as they put together one last clash at the now-defunct Rhythm Division record shop.

Cruising the streets in his black cab, Risky takes Frisco and the viewer on a tour down memory lane, starting with the former's days spent working behind the counter at Rhythm Division, through the garage years and into the dawn of grime.

Interspersed with Risky's solid gold archive footage (which includes nostalgic, fresh-faced shots of Lethal Bizzle, Mike Skinner, Kano, Dizzee, Tinchy Stryder, Boy Better Know, Spyro and countless others) are contributions from Rinse co-founder Geeneus, BBK's DJ Maximum and of course, Frisco.

The overwhelming takeaway is that even though grime was able to enjoy huge mainstream success in recent years without compromising, the demise of pirate radio as an outlet has taken something vital away from grime. Clashing may have survived into the online era, but the rawness and DIY attitude never quite carried over.




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