Having first arrived on the scene in 2022, South-London native Saiming has been romancing with the genres that raised him amongst a community of like minded individuals looking to reimagine the sounds of grime. Splicing and fusing the genre’s dextrous flows with soulful neo-jazz production, Saiming is the poster-child for how community and collaboration are driving the UK underground scene, which he showcases through his sophomore project, ‘what’s the alternative?’
When I first got off my call with Saiming, a warm and gentle presence at the other end of the zoom, there was one phrase that had begun running laps around my mind; it was that Saiming has made ‘a house a home’ with his music and most recent project what’s the alternative?. While this phrase is more likely to muster images of a wooden pyrocraft sign from TK Maxx or kitschy ‘Gin O’Clock’ memorabilia, than it is a rapper who’s creating music inspired by the sounds of grime, drill and neo-jazz; it fits. Through music, community, and collaboration Saiming is an artist reshaping the architecture of his corner of the scene. Not just building a name for himself, but building something others can step into. He tells me candidly, “there's so much more that you can make when people are putting their minds together”.
With the help of many of his close friends and co-creators he’s been knocking through the genre’s walls, rearranging the furniture, and inviting others in, each playing their unique part on his output. Whether it’s singer Nayana AB inspiring him to consider the depth in his songwriting, the influence of grassroots London jam sessions like ORII on his fluid live performances, his own collective Da Community showcasing the importance of collaboration, or even his sister, whose passion for politics has led him to more poignant songwriting, he’s quick to name the humble influences on his doorstep with the same reverence he gives to the platinum-selling artists who’ve shaped his sound. For Saiming, these people and places are more than just inspirations for a career being built, and are rather elements of a home being lived in - one filled with countless records, loud music and friends ready to step up, perform and welcome the next great artist onto their stage.
