Type ‘best grime label in the world’ into Google and see who comes up first… Tried it? Yeah, chances are it’s Butterz. Whether you agree with the behemoth or not, it is undeniable as to the quality and consistency of the releases that have come out of the Butterz camp in the past twelve months.

Owners Elijah and Skilliam have spent years tirelessly promoting the scene,  ignoring the hype and focusing instead on pushing the instrumental side of things. Through the label, their Rinse FM show, upfront DJ sets, Grime Forum (which Elijah helped to set up) and the recently retired Verybutterz blog, the pair have done much to push the sound to a bigger audience, giving the genre the kind of exposure it deserves.

I caught up with Elijah last week to find out a bit more about the label and what he thinks about the state of Grime in 2011.

Big ups on the new Swindle 12” its great, how did it come about?

Swindle was one of our original motivations to start the label. He was a talented young producer who had no outlet for his music. When he made ‘Airmiles’ we had plans to start the label, but we werent completely ready so I told him to get it out there on Planet Mu until we find our feet. I actually named that track! With Mood Swings, Swindle called me up in the summer not too long after we played together in Barcelona very pissed off, but he said he had a track for us. It was untitled, so we just played it in the raves and he decided to name it ‘Mood Swings’ in October. It has been getting a massive response, from Radio 1 plays to a wide range of DJ support, it is one of our biggest yet.

‘Bebop’ on the flip came about by us having a funk clash via Skype. Sending each other youtube links to these wicked records from the 80s. I came across a track called ‘Funky Bebop’ by Vin Zee and I asked him to rework it for me and he did. It was kind of just a bootleg at first we where playing for a few months, and I thought it was really different, so I asked him to finish it properly for the flip of Mood Swings. Most of the releases on the label have come about organically really rather then us just picking up big tracks in the scene which has been really fun, seeing something go from a loop on logic to being on vinyl and played out to loads of people. 

You’ve been pretty key in helping promote grime for a long time now, what with the blog and Grime Forum. The label seems like a relatively natural progression?

It really came about because we were on Rinse FM every week playing music that wasn’t getting released and it was frustrating to see really good production not get the exposure it deserved. I was also at a crossroads in my life where I was just finishing University, so I could have chosen to find a job, or I could take music seriously, and I chose to do music. Skilliam and I have a different approach to most people in the scene so I figured it would be worth a try, as I had built up strong relationships with people who I believed would be future smash hit producers.

Moodswings by swindleuk

This has led to you putting out some of the scenes biggest instrumentals (Wooo Riddim & Orangeade come to mind), where does the A&R’ing come from? Is there a particular thing you look for in a release?

They all really come about from what tracks we can see working on the radio and in the clubs. So its half our heads and half what the people want out of the stuff we play really. Totally organic process, I prefer long term relationships I didnt want the label to be a dumping ground for the best of any grime music, I think having core producers keeps the levels high and gives the label a consistent sound and identity. Swindle and Royal T have now begun their DJing careers as well representing the label in the UK and overseas. Royal T is currently in Prague doing his first international show and he only made his DJing debut last July so he has really been thrown in at the deep end.

You wrote an article for Verybutterz summing up grime in 2010, where do you think things are heading for 2011? How are things developing?

At the moment Skepta is on tour with P Money, Logan Sama and Dirty Danger and that is really the first real Grime tour which a big look, especially because it is sold out across the country. I think P Money’s domination will continue as the best MC in the scene. Trim has been around for years and years but this year I feel like he is choosing the right producers to work with. He has stuff coming with Skream, TRC, Toddla T, Dro Carey and more, so a nice variety of big names and new names that are doing a lot.

Any particular producers & MC’s who you see breaking through?

Im not that convinced about the ‘new wave’ yet as they are just coming with ‘war’ talk at the moment and it doesnt interest me that much artistically. Im more qualified to talk about producers, so I would say a lot of the out of London producers. TRC, Preditah, DJ Q, S-X have been sending me a lot of promising material, but from the last 3 months Royal T has been killing it. Orangeade, Oo Aa Ee Remix, Its Wiley Remix, On My Own Remix, Whistle Song etc I dont think anyone has a better 2011 resume thus far.

What’s the label got in store for the next few months?

Previously we announced way in advance what our next releases are to kind of build the hype for them, now we kind of have peoples eyes and ears I feel less of a need to do that way in advance. There should be a record a month for the rest of the year, it will be a lot of hard work to keep bettering as we go. Getting records made is a long and painstaking task for a small label, they literally always get delayed, so im only going to say what is coming next when we have the physical product in our hands. Annoying answer, but hopefully it will keep the label exciting for you guys today.

Have you been doing much on the production side of things? Is it something you’re interested in?

Not really interested in becoming a producer, seems like the logical next step, but I bring loads of other things to the table because I am not a musician.

Big records for you at the moment?

Swindle - Mood Swings, I just finished my FWD» set with our next release which im really excited about which will be out next month too. It is really difficult to pick individual tracks as I things move so quickly these days!

Do you listen to much stuff outside of grime and dubstep etc? There seems to be a real divide when I interview people between guys that listen exclusively to one genre and others who take in a lot of different stuff.

Of course man, im human. People think because I only want release Grime I am some ridiculous purist who thinks any other genre is shit. So far from the truth, the reason why I am like that is because I feel like everything is ‘mash up’ these days why cant some things just do one thing, and be proud of it. I listen to old school hip hop and dancehall a lot. Recent stuff I guess its Odd Future, Kanye West, Flying Lotus etc I dont listen to loads of new music in my spare time because I spend most of it listening to stuff people send me.

Where can we catch you dj’ing next?

Can find out @ Butterz.co.uk there are a lot of dates stacking between us, so if you cant catch us in your local area you may be able to catch Royal T, Terror Danjah or Swindle

Anything else you want to add?

Big up everyone supporting, we will try and keep surprising and entertaining. Butterz is the label.

Click here to pick up a copy of Mood Swings by Swindle.

Click here to pre order a copy of the next Butterz release which is the absolutely massive Woo Glut mashup which has been driving dance floors mental over the past few months.