What makes King of the North by Bugzy Malone notable?

'King of the North' debuted at number 1 on the UK Albums Chart, affirming Bugzy Malone's influence and popularity within the grime scene. The EP received positive reviews from critics and fans alike, highlighting its lyrical depth and production quality, which contributed to the mainstream acceptance of grime music during this period. By the time 'King of the North' was released in January 2017, Bugzy Malone had already established himself as a prominent figure in UK grime, following his breakthrough mixtape 'Walk with Me' in 2015. This EP marked Malone's first major release after signing with a record label, further solidifying his status in the genre and expanding his audience.

Who is King of the North for?

King of the North works well if you're into short bursts of intense energy, gritty reflections on ambition and late-night drive motivation.

How many songs are on King of the North?

King of the North has 8 tracks, running approximately 30 minutes.

King of the North

Bugzy Malone · 2017

30 min · 8 tracks · grime

Hard-hitting beats and sharp lyricism collide, showcasing Bugzy Malone's commanding presence in the UK grime scene.

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Top tracks — play these first

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King of the North — The title track encapsulates Malone's confidence and dominance, setting the tone for the entire EP with its powerful delivery and engaging flow.
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Aggy Wid It — This track showcases Malone's storytelling ability while blending raw energy with catchy hooks, making it a standout anthem within the EP.
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Memory Lane — In 'Memory Lane,' Malone reflects on his past experiences and journey, offering a more introspective side that balances the project's aggressive tone.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

61 /100

Treeline

Higher than 71% of albums we've rated

Strong lyricism and solid production define this grime album, making it engaging but not.

What we noticed

The album opens with a title track that sets a confident tone, followed by tracks that maintain a consistent mid-tempo pace.
The production employs hard-hitting beats with layered instrumentation, creating a dense soundscape that supports the vocal delivery.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

short bursts of intense energy
gritty reflections on ambition
late-night drive motivation
sharp lyrical focus on struggle

Maybe skip if you

prefer smooth, mellow vibes
seek lengthy, immersive pieces

Where this album fits

Career context: By the time 'King of the North' was released in January 2017, Bugzy Malone had already established himself as a prominent figure in UK grime, following his breakthrough mixtape 'Walk with Me' in 2015. This EP marked Malone's first major release after signing with a record label, further solidifying his status in the genre and expanding his audience.
Stylistic neighbors: Jme· Skepta· Devlin