The Square (group)

The Square is a grime crew from Lewisham, London. The group was founded by DeeJillz, Elf Kid, Lolingo and Novelist. The group has since expanded with all members hailing from Lewisham and surrounding areas of South London. The crew is known for its youthfulness, adherence to an old school grime sound as well as for the distinct individual styles of its MCs.[1][2][3]

The Square
OriginLewisham, London, England
GenresGrime
Instrument(s)Vocals (MC)
Years active2012–present
LabelsNo Hats No Hoods Records
MembersBlakie
DeeJillz
Elf Kid
Faultsz
Lolingo
Streema
Deema
Past membersDee Cee
Grandmixxer
Hilts
Novelist
Syder Sides

History

The group originally consisted of four members who met at the age of 15, members included: DeeJillz, Elf Kid, Novelist and Lolingo.[4][5] The first collaborative material from Elf Kid, DeeJillz and Novelist was released in early 2012 and predates the name The Square.[6] By early 2013 the group had expanded to include three further MCs, Syder Sides, Faultsz and Streema. In June 2013 a bootleg mixtape was released featuring the original seven members of the crew.[7] In late 2013 the crew began to make frequent pirate radio appearances alongside DJ Grandmixxer.[8] Following on from this in late 2014 the crew officially released its first record, 'The Formula' with No Hats No Hoods records.[9] The EP featured one collaborative track, "Pengaleng" as well as solo tracks from all members of the group. Later in 2014, "Pengaleng" was re-recorded with additional verses from new crew members Hilts and DeeCee. A music video was recorded for the new version of the song which was named as one of the best tracks of 2014 by Complex UK.[10] In April 2015, highly anticipated single "Lewisham McDeez" was released, again with No Hats No Hoods records. Local paper, the News Shopper reported that the Lewisham McDonald's in question had been "immortalised in the Grime world" due to the popularity of the song.[11]

In early 2015, Blakie, General Courts and Grandmixxer joined the crew.[2] In 2015, the group received funding from PRS for Music to produce a debut album.[12] On 1 September 2015, Novelist left The Square to further his solo career.[13] DeeCee and Hilts subsequently announced their departures from the group on 7 September and 27 September respectively.[14][15] On 19 December Syder Sides left the group and Faultsz also subsequently announced his departure on Boxing Day.[16][17] However Faultsz rejoined the crew in May 2016.

On 9 May 2016, grime documentist Simon Wheatley announced he had made a documentary about the crew called "Golden Boys" after Elf Kid and Lolingo's 2015 single "Golden Boy".[18] On 25 May 2016, Noisey premiered the first track from the crew's debut album "Defeat Us".[19]

Members

[20]

Current members
  • DeeJillz – MC (2012–present)
  • Elf Kid – MC (2012–present)
  • Lolingo - DJ, producer (2012–present)
  • Streema – MC, producer (2013–present)
  • Blakie – MC, producer (2015–present)
  • Faultsz – MC (2013–2015, 2016–present)
  • Deema – MC (2016–present)

Past members
  • Novelist – MC, producer (2012–2015)
  • Grandmixxer – DJ, Producer (2014–2015)
  • Dee Cee – MC (2014–2015)
  • Hilts (also known as Murkilla) – MC, producer (2014–2015)
  • Syder Sides – MC (2013–2015)

Discography

Singles
Title Details
Pengaleng
  • Released: December 2014
  • Label: No Hats No Hoods
  • Formats: Digital download
Lewisham McDeez
  • Released: April 2015
  • Label: No Hats No Hoods
  • Formats: Digital download
Defeat Us
  • Released: July 2016
  • Label: No Hats No Hoods
  • Formats: Digital download

EPs
Title Details
The Formula
  • Released: 25 August 2014
  • Label: No Hats No Hoods
  • Formats: Digital download

Bootlegs
Title Details
Introducing: The Square
  • Released: June 2013
  • Formats: Digital download

References
  1. "THE SQUARE- NEXT GENERATION OF GRIME - Music Crowns | Unsigned Music | New Music & Songs". www.musiccrowns.org. Archived from the original on 21 March 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  2. "The Square: just a bunch of scumbags from Lewisham". DummyMag.com.
  3. Cliff, Aimee (16 November 2014). "Wiley is 35 Years Old. Novelist is 17. Meet Grime's Next Generation: The Square". Vice.com.
  4. "Nomis /w Elf Kid and Streema [The Square] on Balamii". YouTube. 17 May 2015. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  5. Considine, Clare (18 February 2015). "2, 4, 6, 8…. we appreciate the square!". I-d.vice.com.
  6. "YouTube". YouTube. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  7. "New Release: Bootleg mixtape showcasing some of the best upcoming youngers (Novelist/Deejillz/ect)". Grimeforum.com.
  8. "the young musicians: part two". I-d.vice.com. 3 July 2015.
  9. "South London grime crew The Square - Novelist, Lolingo, etc - announce debut mixtape The Formula". Factmag.com.
  10. "15. The Square — "Pengaleng" - Complex UK's Best Songs of 2014 | Complex UK". uk.complex.com. Archived from the original on 26 December 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  11. "Security guards and restrictions installed by Lewisham McDonald's after anti-social behaviour". News Shopper. 1 May 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  12. "PRS for Music Foundation - the Square". www.prsformusicfoundation.com. Archived from the original on 6 August 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  13. "Novelist has left South London grime crew The Square: "Time to be myself"". Noisey.vice.com. 1 May 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  14. "I won't be working with The Square any longer as I'll be perusing my own career. Nothing but love to the Square man and their future". Twitter.com. 27 September 2015.
  15. "I've made the decision to leave The Square and go full solo. Regardless of anything i still got love for all The Square mandem". Twitter.com. 7 September 2015.
  16. F-nizz, Man Said (26 December 2015). "Mans no longer in the square". Twitter.com.
  17. "Sy on Twitter: "I have left the Square, as a group we agreed this is the best decision and I wish the whole crew the best of luck in the future n thas 100."". twitter.com. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  18. "Interview: Photographer Simon Wheatley on The Square Documentary 'Golden Boys' and 'Don't Call Me Urban!'". Complex.
  19. "Grime Crew The Square Are Back, and They Want You To Know You Can't "Defeat Us"". Vice.com. 25 May 2016.
  20. "The Square (@TheSquareMusic) | Twitter". Twitter.com.
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