We speak to Trends following the second edition of the Mean Streets ‘Trilogy’ project.

Grime, as always it would seem, is in a period of transition across different sounds and styles. The vocal side of the scene is pretty healthy, with numerous large scale projects set to be hitting the shelves this year from the scenes biggest faces, so no worries on that front. The instrumental side of the scene however is somewhat in need of direction. Don’t get me wrong there is a tonne of incredible producers making rave-ready bangers on a weekly basis, the problem is getting those sounds through to people when there are no raves to go to.

Today, we hope to do our bit by showcasing one of the most exciting instrumental compilation projects we have seen in a long, long time as Trends’ Mean Streets imprint unveils the second edition of ‘Trilogy‘, a selection of carefully crafted grime creations that do a fantastic job of showing us where the sound is currently at. The roster is quite frankly incredible, as we see the Mean Streets flag welcome to likes of Boylan, Silas, D.O.K, P Jam and Kromestar into the party with some incredible results.

Made up of eight absolute corkers, that could be easily be taken in either via a rave scenario or heard via the radio airwaves, Mean Streets have done exactly what was needed with this release, by showcasing just how good grime can get on an instrumental level and by bringing this many quality producers together on one tape.

I caught up with Trends for a quick Q/A session about the EP, the label as a whole and where he wants to take the project in 2021

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After the positive response from the first volume, how do you go about picking the line up for a follow up edition?
For me, the content of the volumes is a personal quest for the best music out there. I want tunes that bang, that people covet. That’s why Funky Nandos by P Jam and D.O.K was a no brainer as as loads of people was after that tune. With the Dancehall track by Kromestar, I wanted to bring back the energy of the Forward/Rinse raves. You’d have Grime and Dubstep on the same line ups together, Grime MCs spitting on sets by dubstep DJs. It was powerful and worth reviving.

Has there been a shift in the sound of the label since the release of the first edition?

No not really. Think everyone know now what the sound mean streets represents so I try and keep it at that level.

Mean Streets have become a very well established plaform for Grime, what outside of releasing music would you like to see the platform involved in?
Along with everyone in the scene right now, what I’m missing is raves. The opportunity to play tunes to live audiences and get those mad energy reactions. I would love to see the Mean Streets platform involved in more events, especially festivals.

–You can check out the full EP via our friends over at JunoDownload below:

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Follow: Trends
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KXVU

As head of online content for The 3000 Network, KXVU now sits as one of the most involved journalistic faces within UK underground dance music. Through his work as the Breakfast Show host and head of music on Brighton's Trickstar Radio, his position as Podcast Host and 140 reviewer for JunoDownload and his Director & Co-founder position at heavyweight label: Southpoint, there isn't much that passes him by. Bass, garage, grime, dubstep, he's involved across the board and remains as keen as ever to showcase sound to the world!

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