Crate Diggin: The Bug Presents Flowdan, Riko Dan, P Money, Manga and Miss Red

We just have a mere few days before The Bug heads to our Charterhouse haunt, where he'll bring his notorious deep, shattering bass to Room One alongside his favoured comrades Riko Dan (with whom he just dropped the sinister Iceman), P Money, Flowdan, Miss Red and Manga, AND now the prolific producer and bass wizard has grandly gifted us with a playlist tailored to get us amped up for Friday's proceedings. Revealing some of his thoughts and motivations on the aforementioned clan of MCs that he will be performing alongside on the night, the heavyweight beat maker tells us exactly what it is about Flowdan's militant lyrics, Manga's electrifying energy and Riko's lyrical slaughter that has got him infatuated with their approach to the mic...

Flowdan

The Bug: "My general. Glad to see him step out of the shadows from Roll Deep and uncompromisingly blaze such a serious solo trail. He had faith in my sound when no-one else from grime and few from Jamaica would dare to jump one of my beats, so I've lifelong respect for Kazim aka Flowdan. He is a man of minimum words but excels in maximum impact. The darkest of humour, and the brightest of talent. No contest. "For me, I have always felt Flow's tone was the modern inheritor of Cutty Ranks crown. Low, slow and menacing, with militant lyrics to match. Hail King Flowdan. London by birth, Jamaican dancehall in his blood, his forthcoming album contains pure TNT."

Riko Dan

"I was immediately smitten when Riko, Flowdan, Wiley and God's Gift used to gatecrash early FWD parties. Riko was ALWAYS the loudest, nastiest and most brutal of the crew. He's a monster in the best sense. A yardcore badman. Riko is a battle specialist and terminates every other mc in the live arena. A 16 bar assassin, the man spits fire for verses. So many times ive seen him feverishly ramp up a crowd in the shortest possible time." "Recordin 'Iceman' with Riko, fulfilled a long time ambition of mine to work with him as I always felt his lyrical manslaughter would fit my sonic violence purrrfectly."

Manga

"From the first moment I saw Manga jump up at Cargo/LDN with Roll Deep and proceed to tear the roof off with pure E.N.E.R.G.Y. many moons ago, I have checked for his progress.. I still don't understand why more people don't realise just how fresh and electrifying Manga's flow is..." "His solo shit is totally brave and fearsomely original, especially in comparison to the careerist grime mcs, profiting from tired formulas right now. If Dizzee had a younger brother in arms, it would be Manga. With 'Function' he made a good riddim great, so respect to him for that. Working with a voice based in that high register is ideal for me, as my sound dredges up the low end spectrum, leaving his high pitched scream max space to hotwire headz."

P-Money

"Seein' P-Money's profile explode and knowing it's purely from hard graft and instinctive talent is a joy. '10/10' is undeniably an anthem and recently seeing even Wiley immortalise the intensity of the Money Man is further proof that P-is def the real deal. I remember seeing him many years ago in the second room of a venue I played in Vauxhall and being instantly impressed by the intensity of his delivery in the club. The dude spits possessed.2 "I only met him recently via Flowdan and his praise for my sets seemed 101% genuine so it made total sense to invite P up for my show at fabric. For me, it's crucial to work with MCs who rage with passion and specialise in destroying a dance but, most importantly, have a feel for my individual style of attack. Full watts, full power is my motto and P-Money is the ideal spitta to generate the further heat. Scarily, he just keeps gettin betta and betta..."

Miss Red

"Since she gatecrashed my set and jumped the mic in Tel Aviv, Miss Red has been totally dedicated to improving her craft and working like an animal. She is hungry to improve her craft and combines sharp tone, fresh melodies and a sensually aggressive delivery. To see such a young mc obsessed with the flow and style of 80's dancehall is wicked as I share the same obsession with that golden Jammys/Firehouse era. Her mixtape 'Murder', was one of the best albums from last year and working with a gyal who is so open to fresh influences is a pleasure for me." "If Sister Nancy and Lady Stush produced offspring, it would sound like this young princess. Fresh and fly for sure." Tip: Readers can refer to Red Bull Music Academy Radio's insightful Fireside chat with The Bug for more on the rawkous beat maker.