well now, since i been in the UK nor for e 3 months i feel i can speak a bit on this topic. Basically i didnt know much about UK hip hop before i cam over here. I knew the Streets which i like a lot for being original and talking about shit that is real, but thats not really even hip hop. besides that i knew Roots Manuva who i thought was kinda tight, but nothin amazing.
After learning a good amount about it i do think there is some decent talent in the Uk, i mean Jehst and Klash have nice ryhmes and Skinnymans sounds aight, i mean they can all flow, thats obvious but i do feel that something is missing . i mean on Jehst's entire album 'The Return of the Drifter' he doesnt say anything meaningful or conceptual throughout the whole thing. basically he just talks shit and then instead of even considering a hook,l he just cuts up and old Wu sample or Nas or some shit. The beats are decent but i think it takes more.
As far as Dizzee goes, i cant really feel it. i have both albums Boy in Da corner and Showtime and neither one really appeals to me. But I appreciate that he is trying something different, so atleast i give him credit for that.
I dont know, i guess overall i think there is a lot of talent, but the big names over here just dont appeal to me as coming with anything unique or fresh to listen to.
I am workin with a lot of kids over here though both producers and MC's and i have found that there is a good scene and a lot of talented kids doing it, there just not to any level of recognition yet. I think Uk hip hop will be eventually step up, its just gonna take a bit of time...