Lord of the Mics (also known as LOTM) is a series of recorded grime clashes, headed by Jammer and Chad 'Ratty' Stennett.
[1][2][3] Various notable grime MCs have participated in Lord of the Mics, such as Skepta, Wiley, Kano, and P Money.
Each artist participating in the clashes releases a "Hype Session", a diss track aimed at their opponent.
During the clash between Ghetts and Napper on LOTM I, listeners were able to text a number to declare who they thought won, but the result was never officially released.
[9] Jammer noted that Smack DVD, an American hip hop series, helped him realise that grime didn't have any platforms where you could actually see artists.
Wiley accepted, and then went down into Jammer's basement, later a hallmark of the Lord of the Mics brand, to film the clash between the two artists.
[9] Jammer later credited Wiley and Kano's record label signings, which followed the release of the DVD, at least partially to the success of LOTM and their clash.
When Kano appeared on GMTV, a British breakfast-time television program, viewers called in to ask about his clash with Wiley.
[9] Other clashes on LOTM I included SLK vs Younger Nasty, Kal Serious vs Corey Johnson, and Bruza vs Crazy Titch.
[9] The other clashes included Bashy vs Demon, Tinchy Stryder vs Ears,[22] Frisco vs Double O, Craze 24 vs Ill Millz, Big Narstie vs Scorcher, Snakeyman vs Al Blaze, Rage vs Fuda Guy, South Side Soldiers vs YGC.
[18] Wiley was inspired by LOTM III to restart Eskimo Dance, a grime rave that was popular during the 2000s but had been discontinued.
[24] Also in 2011, record label Absolute became responsible for publishing the Lord of the Mics compilation albums that are released alongside the clashes.
[18][23] The fourth edition featured the following clashes:[27][28] Jaykae later credited LOTM for helping his rise in popularity.
[34][36][14] On behalf of Big H, Inside Music claimed the live audience making noise made things "difficult" for both sides.
[40] It featured ten clashes:[6] Prior to the release of LOTM VII, a special '10 Years of Lord of the Mics' event was held.
Jaykae and Kozzie, Mez and Trappy, Lady Lykez and Sox, and Row D and XP all clashed at the 10th anniversary as well as on the LOTM VII DVD.
[44] Prior to the release of LOTM, a set of live clashes were held at Rough Trade East.
[48] Some footage from the ninth edition of Lord of the Mics was released on YouTube in October 2020, featuring a clash between Skinner and CY.