New book to explore grime's DNA through 55 key tracks

The book promises to be the first to “explore the context and conditions of grime.”

A new book exploring grime – from the representation of masculinity in the music and the media that covers it, to some of the genre’s most canonical hits – is to be released this summer.

Due on July 6, Hold Tight: Black Masculinity, Millennials and the Meaning of Grime is written by Brixton-born author and English teacher Jeffrey Boakye. It will shine a light on 55 key songs “that make up grime’s DNA,” according to a press release. 15 of those are songs that influenced the emergence of grime, while the remaining 40 are Boakye’s favorite or most important tracks.

Hold Tight takes a look at tracks like ‘Next Hype’ by Tempa T, Rebound X’s seminal 2007 instrumental ‘Rhythm ‘N’ Gash’ and Boy Better Know’s ‘Too Many Man’. The book promises to be the first to “explore the context and conditions of grime.”

Hold Tight is published by UK-based indie publisher Influx Press. Previous books include Acquired For Development…A Hackney Anthology, a collection of 25 perspectives on London’s rapidly changing borough of Hackney.

Influx Press recently launched a Kickstarter campaign to help grow the publishing house and “push our books and authors as far as we possibly can.” Visit the Kickstarter page for more info and to donate.