In Focus: Ruff Sqwad

At the turn of the 21st Century, a collective of DJs and MCs in Bow E3, East London - mostly schoolmates - helped birth a sound that still sounds futuristic, even two decades later. Despite beginning with no serious intentions, Ruff Sqwad's primary producers Rapid and Dirty created otherworldly instrumentals, seemingly devoid of past influence, in their early teens. They pulled in their friends to MC - Tynchy Stryder, Shifty Rydos, & Slix. The febrile energy this core creative group created seems to hold a more profound influence on UK music with each passing year. Check out 60 minutes of groundbreaking UK music from Ruff Sqwad on this In Focus.