Grime is riot music. But as England burns, reactionaries who try to blame music for the violence have the cause and effect backwards. Grime is vicious because youth life in poor boroughs is vicious, not the other way around. That’s why grime has an energy and urgency like nothing else.

Fittingly, the latest entry in the Keep Watch series is Мишка’s first grime mix. Curated by East London producer Spooky, the mix is an unrelenting mix that captures the spirit of the resurgent sound. Spooky (not to be confused with the house duo or trip hop DJ of the same name) started DJing at 13, breaking out in 2006 when his bashment riddim “Joyride” became a surprise grime hit.

Since then, he’s produced and remixed tunes for a grime who’s-who that includes Slew Dem, OG’s, Skepta, Kele Le Roc, Family Tree, Teddy, Rude Kid, Infared, Brick & Lace and Mark Morrison. In addition to playing gigs all over London, he holds down three weekly radio shows and runs his Ghost House label. In 2010, Spooky scored another grime hit, the “300”-quoting “Spartan,” a banger reminiscent of those by Alias and J-Sweet. He’s also released tracks on the label that’s spearheading the grime renaissance, Oil Gang Records.

For his Keep Watch mix, Spooky lives up to his name, kicking off with a refix of Faze Miyake’s “Take Off” and never looking back. For nearly an hour, Spooky drops sawtooth bass, rumbling beats and verses from grime heavyeights P-Money, Blacks, Tempa T and D Double E with a turntablist’s touch. In the UK, grime is the soundtrack this week. And when the riots end, Spooky will keep starting fires. Full tracklist after the jump.

Keep Watch Vol. XXVIII: Spooky by Мишка Bloglin

Мишка Presents Keep Watch Vol. XXVIII: Spooky
1. Faze Miyake – Take Off VIP (Spooky Special)
2. Discarda – Rhyme On (Spooky Special)
3. Spooky – Crabby Patty
4. Spooky – Spartan (Mosca Dub)
5. SL2 – On A Ragga Tip
6. Emalkay – Crusader
7. Yolanda Be Cool – We No Speak Americano (R1 Ryders Remix)
8. P Jam – Arizona Skyz
9. Stevo – Pomp Pomp
10. Bogeyman – Smelly
11.P Money & Blacks feat. Slickman – Boo You
*Teaser* Darq E Freaker – Roar *Teaser*
12. Moony – I’m a UK G
13. Trends – Bukam Bukam
14. D.O.K – Dragon Punch
15. Jammin – No Singing (Acapella)
*Teaser* Spyro – Wow *Teaser*
16. Faze Miyake – Tiger
17. Merky Ace, Kozzie & Shifman – Screwdriver VIP (Acapella)
*Teaser* Preditah – Vinyls *Teaser*
18. Teddy – Afghan
19. Chronik – Ring
20. Exo Remedy – Cancer
21. R1 Ryders – Deep In The Jungle
22. Rude Kid – Raindrops (Spooky’s Remix)
*Teaser* Waifer & D Double E – Collab Dub *Teaser*
23. Rude Kid feat. P Money & Merky Ace – Spring
24. Flava D – Pencil Pen
25. Sukh Knight – Parabat (Young D Remix)
26. P Money, Blacks & Newham Generals – Slang Like This Remix
27. D.O.K – Blood (Spooky’s Refix)
28. Eddie K & Minus feat. Beezy – Activate
29. Tempa T – Next Hype (Acapella)
*Teaser* Teeza – Switch *Teaser*
30. Mr. Slash – Get Down
31. Ego feat. Merky Ace & Shif Man – Match Fit
*Teaser* Spooky – Fun Fair *Teaser*
32. P Jam – Spaz Out
33. Dubplate Mex – Slow (Blackjack Remix)
34. Teeza – Shuffle

- Chris Kelly