If you want to understand why UK rap sounds the way it does right now, you have to go back to Brixton. Specifically, the New Park Road area. You can't just talk about "drill music" as a generic genre without talking about the pioneers who actually stripped the Chicago influence down and rebuilt it with a London skeleton. Honestly, when you listen to 67 rap group, you aren't just hearing music; you're hearing the exact moment the UK stopped trying to mimic American sounds and started exporting its own grit.
They didn’t care about radio play. That’s the thing people forget.
Back in 2014 and 2015, the scene was a mess of different influences, but 67—comprising LD, Monkey, Dimzy, Liquez, ASAP, and SJ—brought a specific kind of cold, nihilistic energy that changed everything. LD, often called the "Godfather of Drill," with that iconic silver mask, provided the gravelly foundation. If you’ve ever wondered why so many rappers wear masks now, look at LD. It wasn't just a gimmick; it was a necessity, a brand, and a shield all wrapped into one.
The Raw Sound That Defined a Generation
The first thing you notice when you listen to 67 rap group is the production. It’s haunting. We’re talking about sliding sub-bass and those skittering hi-hats that feel like a panic attack in slow motion. Before 67, UK drill was basically just Chicago drill with a British accent. They changed the BPM. They worked with producers like Carns Hill to create "The 67 Sound," which was more melodic but somehow much darker than what was coming out of the US.
"In Skengs We Trust" wasn't just a mixtape title. It was a manifesto.
The track "Lets Lurk" is arguably the most important song in the history of the genre. If you haven't heard it, you’ve definitely heard the beat because Big Shaq used it for "Man's Not Hot." It’s a bit of a tragedy, really, that a legendary street anthem became the backing track for a meme, but it speaks to the sheer power of the production. The original is menacing. It features Giggs, which was a massive co-sign at the time, bridging the gap between the older "Road Rap" era and the new drill wave.
Why does this matter in 2026? Because the DNA is everywhere. From the charts in New York to the underground scenes in Australia, that specific "67 bounce" is the blueprint.
Why the Mask Matters and the Politics of the Sound
LD’s mask became a symbol of resistance. You have to understand that the police in London, specifically the Metropolitan Police, were obsessed with 67. They had their shows shut down constantly. Form 696—a controversial risk assessment document—was used to basically ban their live performances. When you listen to 67 rap group, you’re listening to a group that was effectively de-platformed by the state before that was even a common term.
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They were "too real" for the industry.
But that backfired for the authorities. The more the police pushed back, the more the cult following grew. 67 proved that you didn't need a label or a radio plugger if your sound was authentic enough to travel through the streets and the internet via word of mouth. They were the first ones to really monetize the "Road" lifestyle on a massive scale without compromising the lyrical content.
Breaking Down the Lineup
- LD (Scribz): The undisputed leader. His voice sounds like it’s been dragged through gravel. He has a presence that most rappers spend a decade trying to cultivate.
- Dimzy: The master of the "low-toned" flow. While others bring high energy, Dimzy stays calm, which is arguably scarier.
- Monkey and Liquez: They bring the technicality. Their back-and-forth on tracks provides the rhythmic complexity that keeps the songs from feeling repetitive.
Most people only know the hits. That's a mistake. To truly listen to 67 rap group, you have to dig into the deeper cuts on Lets Lurk or The 6. That’s where you find the storytelling. It’s not all about violence, despite what the tabloids say. It’s about the claustrophobia of the estate. It’s about the loyalty between friends who have nothing else. It’s a documentary in audio form.
The Global Impact You Probably Didn't Realize
When Pop Smoke started blowing up in Brooklyn, he was using beats produced by 808Melo and AXL Beats—producers who were heavily influenced by the sound 67 pioneered. If you listen to 67 rap group and then jump to 2020s Brooklyn drill, the lineage is a straight line. The UK didn't just adopt drill; they refined it into a high-octane, cinematic experience that the Americans eventually took back.
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It's a weird cultural loop.
The group’s influence extends to fashion, too. The "Roadman" aesthetic—the tech fleeces, the puffers, the specific way of carrying oneself—was codified in 67’s early music videos. They weren't trying to look like rockstars. They looked like the guys on the corner, and that relatability was their superpower.
The Misconceptions About 67
People think they are just about the "glamour" of the street life. They aren't. If you actually pay attention to the lyrics, there's a lot of weariness. There's the reality of prison sentences—LD himself has spent significant time away—and the constant pressure of being watched.
Another big misconception is that they are a "gang" first and a "rap group" second. While their origins are rooted in their neighborhood and the affiliations that come with it, their work ethic in the studio was professional. They were releasing tapes at a prolific rate. They were touring Europe. They were collaborating with artists across genres. They were businessmen who used music as a way out, even if the "way out" was paved with the same bricks they grew up around.
Key Tracks to Add to Your Playlist Right Now:
- "Take We Back" - This shows their more melodic side without losing the edge.
- "Skengman" - Pure, unadulterated energy.
- "5 AM Vibe" - A perfect example of the "chilled" but dark production they excel at.
- "Live Corn" - If you want to hear LD at his peak, this is it.
The Future of the 67 Legacy
The group has faced immense hurdles. Incarceration, internal shifts, and the sheer weight of being the "most watched" group in the country slowed their momentum at various points. But the brand of 67 is permanent. New members and affiliates keep the flame alive, but the original core remains the gold standard.
When you sit down to listen to 67 rap group, you're engaging with a piece of British history. Like The Clash or Sex Pistols, they represented a disenfranchised youth culture that the establishment tried to ignore and then tried to suppress. They failed. 67 won because their music is still being played in cars from Brixton to Berlin.
How to Properly Support the Scene
If you're new to this, don't just stream the big hits on Spotify. Look for the old "Link Up TV" or "GRM Daily" freestyles. That’s where the rawest versions of these artists exist. The "Behind Barz" freestyle by 67 is widely considered one of the best ever recorded.
Understanding 67 is the key to understanding the last decade of London's cultural output. They are the architects. Everyone else is just living in the house they built.
Next Steps for the Listener:
- Audit the Discography: Start with the 67 In Skengs We Trust mixtape to hear the raw origins, then move to Lets Lurk for the polished, peak-drill era.
- Watch the Visuals: Go to YouTube and watch the original "Lets Lurk" and "Skengman" videos. The visual language—the locations, the lighting, the movement—is just as important as the audio.
- Research the Production: Look up Carns Hill. Understanding his "New World Order" production style will give you a much deeper appreciation for why 67 sounds different from any other group.
- Follow Individual Solo Projects: LD’s Who's Watched and Monkey’s solo work show the individual textures each member brings to the collective.