Meltdown 2025: Ghetts

Ask any fans in the UK who their top five grime MCs are, and you’d struggle to find anyone who doesn’t mention Ghetts. The East London “Movement” founder is a legend of the game — from iconic radio sets and historic clashes with the likes of Wiley and P Money, to an ever-evolving catalogue that spans nearly two decades. So it made perfect sense when Little Simz chose him to headline Day 6 of her excellently curated Meltdown Festival at the Southbank Centre.

On a hazy summer evening, I took my seat in the Royal Festival Hall not quite sure what to expect. Ghetts is best known for his ferocious energy — a rapid-fire flow that effortlessly switches from short, stabbing bars to complex, multisyllabic schemes, delivered within the same bars at times, all while staying on beat. But from the moment the stage lights dimmed, and he appeared, humbly, behind the crowd, it became clear we were about to witness a different kind of Ghetts.

Backed by a full live band and three stunning gospel vocalists, the set was introspective and emotionally charged, with deep emphasis on religion. Gone were the mosh-inducing classics and instead, he focused on some of his most personal and revealing tracks. The stage was awash with soft, minimal lighting — full credit to the Southbank lighting team — which cast a contemplative glow over the set and matched the mood perfectly.

Songs like Proud Family, Fatherhood and Spiritual Warfare explored parenthood and faith with humility and openness, showcasing a vulnerability that’s often lost in grime’s bravado. One particular standout of the night was Street Politics, a storytelling deep-cut with themes of toxic masculinity and knife crime, which was delivered with theatrics and emotion that drew the loudest reaction of the night.

That’s not to say I wasn’t hoping for a wheel-up moment or two. Deep down, I wanted Artillery or One Take — those chaotic, fiery tracks that made Ghetts a household name for Grime fans. But instead, what we got was a mature, reflective artist choosing honesty over hype. And truthfully, that’s just as impressive.

The only slight misstep came with the inclusion of Red Wine, a newer track that, while not bad, felt a little lightweight compared to the emotional heft of the songs surrounding it. It disrupted the cohesion of an otherwise tight, soul-baring set.

Opening the night was rising Christian rapper D3, a fitting choice given Ghetts’ spiritual direction. The young MC impressed with raw lyricism and stage presence beyond his years, ending with a tearful, stirring remix over Kendrick Lamar’s Mother I Sober that drew a heartfelt ovation from the crowd.

By the end of the evening, Ghetts stood with his band in a group prayer, in front of a standing audience, clearly moved by the reception. This wasn’t just another leg of a tour — it was a rare, one-off performance that gave grime fans a chance to witness a legend reframe his legacy through the lens of growth, reflection, and faith. Thanks to Little Simz and Meltdown, we got to see a side of Ghetts rarely afforded the spotlight.