Early 2010's ...
Style of trap
Originated in the South side of Chigago
Hit the mainstream in mid 2012
UK Drill - London - Brixton - 2012
Musicians tend to be young and get attention whilst still in their teens. Chief Keef was 16 when he signed a multi-million dollar record contract
Typically, those that create this style of music are affiliated with gangs or come from socioeconomically-deprived neighborhoods where crime is a way of life for many
UK drill music is heavily related to road rap, a British style of gangsta Rap that became popular in the years prior to the existence of drill
Use of diss tracks
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick named UK drill as one of the reasons for a rise in the rate of knife attacks in London and urged large internet companies to remove content that "glamourises violence". In May of that year, YouTube reported that it had removed more than half of the music videos that she had asked the platform to delete; Dick had identified them as causes of violent crime in London. More than 30 videos had been removed in total. Later that same year, South London-born drill MC and aspiring Mayor of London Drillminister released a track called 'Political Drillin' which was broadcast on Channel 4 News and subsequently went viral, using UK MP's comments in a bid to highlight the hypocrisy of their own violent language. In July 2019, YouTube decided it would no longer be taking down UK drill videos on YouTube.
Young Chop
Chief Keef
Lil Durk
Fredo Santana
Lil Reese
Internet presence
Local fans
Media attention
Signing of Drill musicians to major labels
UK drill relies on internet platforms such as Youtube - Link up TV, GRM Daily, SB.TV, Mixtape Madness, PacMan TV and Pressplay Media
BBC 1Xtra plays Drill
Trap influenced beats
Moderate tempo - 60-70bpm or double tempo - 130-140bpm
Use of autotune
Dark and violent lyrics reflecting real life
Vocals use a grim, deadpan delivery
Use of rap
Roland TR-808