His brother may have stolen a lot of headlines over the last year, but Jamie Adenuga remains one of the most seminal figures in Grime. Since releasing Serious in 2005, the occasional graphic designer and dedicated rollerblader has consistently offered a balanced view of London life. The vegan supergeek and prolific tweeter who, let’s not forget, was going to Heat FM since 2002, has consistently created moments in Grime; from Famous to his Boy Better Know snapbacks. And he’s retained a fierce sense of independence, refusing to sign to a label, instead releasing everything though his own Boy Better Know label.
His new album Integrity, released on his birthday yesterday, is yet another defining moment in contemporary British music. Over 16 tracks and featuring everyone from his brother, to Wiley, Big Narstie, Shorty, Frisco and D Double E, Integrity is a powerful offering with a mind-spinning volley of metaphors, all told in JME’s trademark scattergun flow. The hyper-confident Taking Over sees JME in combative mode: “If you buy into any of these mans lifestyle’s, keep your receipts… If you don’t like g-r-i-m-e then you got no taste like vegan cheese.” Pulse 8 sees JME go running with Tempz, sample net sensation Charlie bit me and ends on the thought, “Good food will turn a Fatboy Slim.” The one-take of 96 Fuckries meanwhile, first released in 2012, is a masterclass in spelling.
Following the album’s release yesterday, JME dropped a brand new video featuring Peckham’s Giggs.
Man Don’t Care produced by Swifta Beats and directed by Matthew Walker, sees JME set fire to his microphone with his university degree, before Giggs steps in with his Star Wars beenie. It’s all you might want from a video, and more.Check JME explaining the album and his DIY approach to music, below.
Buy Integrity here