Rascals

Rascals are a UK grime group from Bow in east London. The group grows out of the same musical environment as artists such as Tinchy Stryder, Roll Deep, Ghetts, Dizzee Rascal and Wiley, and it forms around the local youth-club, record-shop and crew culture of the area.

Formation and members

The group begins as Lil’ Rascals and first gains attention when Shizz, Tempz and Merkz are still teenagers. Shizz says he starts MCing at nine. Tempz and Merkz are part of the original trio, and the group later adds singer and MC Kay Willz, a long-term school friend of Tempz. Kay Willz gives the group a broader vocal range, with the group describing itself as “two spitters and a singer”.

Early releases and grime profile

Rascals first break through with the debut track New Era, followed by Future Wifey and Bang Your Headz. Bang Your Headz reaches No. 1 on Channel AKA and remains there for 13 weeks. These releases help the group establish itself within grime and build a fanbase through DVDs, forums and street-level word of mouth rather than online promotion.

The group also works with east London artist Ryan De La Cruz on Re-Introduce, taken from the Launch Mixtape. Their wider discography includes features on Roll Deep’s charity single Racist People, which is backed by Love Music Hate Racism, as well as Kay Willz’s vocal on Cashtastic’s Thinkin’ About You and Shizz’s appearance on DJ Cameo & Paperbwoy’s Who’s Dat.

Studio work and releases

Rascals sign to EMI and support Conor Maynard on a sold-out UK tour. They work in the studio on an untitled debut album with producers including Davinche, Smasher and Bless Beats. Tracks mentioned from this period include APE SHIT, WHAT’S GOING DOWN and END OF THE WORLD. The group presents this material as a more developed sound than its earlier work, while keeping the fast, confrontational style associated with grime.

CLASS 90 and community work

Alongside their music, Rascals set up CLASS 90, an entertainment company and record-label and publishing arm built with Universal Publishing. Through CLASS 90, they run workshops and mentoring with youth-led organisations including Urban Development, Bigga Fish, Rising Tide and Point Blank. The group also plans streetwear merchandise and a CLASS 90 Trust that offers support to young start-up businesses, and it describes a project to create a creative hub for young people in east London.

Style and subject matter

Rascals’ music draws on grime but also incorporates more melodic and polished elements once Kay Willz joins. Their lyrics often focus on confidence, rivalry, ambition and progress, while their public image remains tied to east London youth culture and the grime scene that shapes their early work.