With just a simple echo, a calm crowd can be transformed into complete anarchy when D Double E's in the building. Be it on the radio, at a rave, or on record, the man's simply a beast when he steps to the mic. D Double E's humorous angles, unique phrases and signature ad-libs have afforded him the sonic tools to create banger after banger, year after year, and, as a former jungle microphone warlord, he brought these techniques over to grime in the early 2000s and quickly became a local hero.
As an integral part of N.A.S.T.Y Crew, your favourite MC's favourite MC helped create masterpieces like "Take You Out" and golden moments like this on Deja Vu in 2002. Two years following that set, D Double E left the East LDN clique to start up his own one, Newham Generals, alongside Footsie and Monkstar. Even with Monkey giving up his grime ghost for Jesus in 2007, D Double and Footsie continued making those hits (see: "Like It Or Not", "Hard") together with their own valued efforts.
When grime is the conversation, D Double E will always get a mention. And, with that being said, here are seven songs you should revisit.
Words by Laura 'Hyperfrank' Brosnan
"Birds In The Sky" (2003)
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Produced by Jammer and released through his own Jah Mek Da World label, "Birds In The Sky" tells the story of D Double E and his crew wanting to fly high in the music game and the lengths he'll go to, to get there. Gentle echoes and whispers flow through the haunting production, but it's his passionate pen that turns it into pure grime gold.
"Frontline" (2003)
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You may recognise this instrumental from the Newham Generals classic, "Frontline", but D Double's version was actually the original. Drenched in quotables (16 bar, hot like tar, soon be a star, get very far), this is one of the best examples of when beats and bars spar, but both come out victorious.
"Serious Thugz" f/ Jme (2004)
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Jme and D Double E are two of grime's quirkiest when it comes to ad-libs and cadence, and "Serious Thugz" showed their lyrical eccentricity in the brightest light. Oh... and just in case you were wondering how Dee likes to rock his hats: To the side, just like I wear my Kangol!
"Signal" (2006)
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Over a weirdly calming production, courtesy of Mz Beatz, D Double E sends out a warning to the emcees who think they can test him on mic—and he's not playing games! The bars displayed on "Signal" are some of the most familiar lyrics in grime; it's essential listening for any newbie, and a good-time throwback for us oldies.
"Clear" f/ Kano (2006)
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Featuring fellow N.A.S.T.Y Crew member Kano, this raw audio is an extract of an old set with DJ Mak 10 on decks. Lines like bullets will cave your whole face in still, to this day, sends shockwaves through the grime-waves, and the way K-A goes from 0 to 100 with the flow shows just how high the levels were from so very early on.
Dizzee Rascal, Newham Generals & Jammer — "Lemon"
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"Lemon" was originally supposed to be on Dizzee's Maths and English album, but with Peter, Paul & Mary not too pleased with the idea of their sweet song being sampled for a high-grade anthem, the request was refused. Of course, it was later leaked. Despite PPM not being happy about it, "Lemon" is still a banger and the people needed to hear it. Dee comes in at 1:53 and blows up the spot: I'm puffing on that magical lemon, with all the man dem from E7...
With a full release, this probably would've been much more popular than it is.
"Bad To The Bone" (2010)
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When S-X dropped "Woooo Riddim" in 2010, everyone and their nans were making versions. But then D Double came in and owned it like a boss! It was at this launch party for the Woooo EP (a collection of the very best versions), where he let the world know that this monster-of-a-beat was now officially his for keeps. Like only a true legend can.
