Wasteman Interlude feat. Paul Stephan
Crafty 893

Following the impact of recent singles Sorry Mum, Step 1, Anyway feat. Manga Saint Hilare, and Nothing Left, South London’s Crafty 893 returns with Wasteman Interlude – a sharp-edged new cut featuring South East London’s Paul Stephan. It taps directly into grime’s clash-era DNA. Drawing its inspiration from the golden era of MC battles and subliminal war dubs, the track lands as a pointed, slyly confrontational statement, without ever needing to say too much outright.

Wasteman Interlude also marks the first taste of Crafty 893’s new album 142 Grime Street. Playing on the long-standing idea of “140 Grime Street” as the symbolic home of grime, Crafty positions himself slightly outside the scene’s traditional boundaries, close enough to tap in, but never confined by expectation.

“The title of this album was basically to state how I’m not explicitly in the grime scene – I’m just next door. I’m a neighbour. Sometimes I’ll come over and borrow some sugar or a lawnmower. But I got my own things going on in my own house.” Crafty 893

Built around Paul Stephan’s trademark balance of grit and restraint, pairing weighty low-end pressure with softer, spacious textures, Wasteman Interlude gives Crafty room to deliver some of his most direct bars to date. Focused, cold and deliberate, the track captures the energy of classic grime reload moments while still sounding firmly rooted in the current wave.

“This one was basically inspired by all the different moments in grime where MCs were battling each other. This was a track that slyly works as an open diss. Paul’s known for blending that grit with softer hitting instrumentals so he was a natural fit for this one” Crafty 893

The release arrives off the back of a breakthrough run for Crafty, whose recent singles have steadily built momentum across radio, press and underground platforms alike. Step 1 received repeated support across BBC Radio 1Xtra from both Sian Anderson and Sir Spyro, with Sian calling the track “that song that’s been living in my head rent free” before later describing Crafty as “one of the best next generation shouts we’ve had on this show.” DJ Mag also spotlighted Step 1 in their ‘50 Favourite Tracks of 2025’ roundup, later describing Crafty as “a shining star of grime 3.0” whose bars have already become “reload deserving” within the scene.

Previous single Anyway feat. Manga Saint Hilare continued that momentum with repeated plays from DJ Target and Sir Spyro on BBC Radio 1Xtra, alongside wider support from BBC Radio 6 Music’s New Music Fix, Rinse FM, Worldwide FM, Reprezent, Balamii and RTS FM. Online coverage and playlisting has also come from the likes of GRM Daily, British Hip-Hop, Earmilk, Wordplay and Off Licence Magazine, further cementing Crafty’s growing reputation as one of the UK underground’s most exciting new voices.

A two-time BAFTA-winning producer, MC and creative, Crafty’s reach stretches well beyond the booth. From producing Big Zuu’s Navigate, to soundtracking Big Zuu’s Big Eats and Breakfast Show as well as creating adverts for brands like Adidas x Jacamo and Pret a Manger. His work continues to shape UK culture across music and television alike. Yet despite that versatility, grime remains at the centre of everything he does.