Trust duckrabbit, this will be the most important photobook published in the UK this year
Written by duckrabbitDon’t Call Me Urban!
The Time of Grime
Simon Wheatley
Don’t Call Me Urban! seeks to cut through the perceived glamour of ‘urban’ culture and document through photographs and stories what is the social reality of being black (and white) on a London council estate, where ‘urban’ music – specifically the culture of emceeing and rapping – has become a standard means to communicate and express feeling.
Simon Wheatley gained the trust of the key figures in the grime culture who allowed him to capture the harsh elements of the street with its raw violence and drug taking as well as the more intimate and tender moments of their lives. The portraits and commentary from the likes of Dizee Rascal, Wiley, Jammer, Skepta, Fumin’, P Money, Flirta D and Kano make Don’t Call Me Urban! a contemporary and definitive account of a culture which remains a frightening mystery to many.
Author — duckrabbit
duckrabbit is a production company formed by radio producer/journalist Benjamin Chesterton and photographer David White. We specialize in digital storytelling.
Discussion (6 Comments)
Thanks again Benjamin, for telling me about this book. Very much looking forward to getting my hands on it. Cheers.
Actually it was you that turned me onto to it Mikko! Together we’ll get the buzz going hey!
I remember seeing these guys on stage when nobody cared who they were. Looking forward to seeing what Simon’s collection shows of the times.
Yeah … the work I’ve seen is amazing … really great stuff … trying to twist foto8’s arm into having a show …
Big ups to Wheatley’s work. I know only too well how difficult is to hang in the hood and to get close to these crews. It can be like covering afghanistan. I would love to see more of the images.
Joseph Rodriguez
I have had a look at some of the proofs…the work is fantastic. Of a quality very rarely seen.