“I didn’t want to make a coffee table book”: James Pearson-Howes on documenting 20 years of grime

Photographer James Pearson-Howes is based in Bow, the heart of grime’s boom. Pioneers like Ruff Sqwad, Dizzy Rascal, and D Double E shaped its terrain and James, partly raised on housing estates in Havant and Bournemouth, was close to it’s exciting new world. Aged 18, he dove into the UK garage scene before his introduction to grime – a genre that would forever change his creative practice. James last spoke to It’s Nice That about his previous project, Model Family, which explored notions of family, what it looks like, and how that’s changed. This thread continues to unravel in his latest work, the photobook When I’m ’Ere – named after Roll Deep’s 2005 track.

From the get go, James was aware of the value of the booming grime scene, which was often overshadowed by the white-dominated electronic music scene of the early noughties. “I’d be asking all the record labels I was in contact with why they weren’t signing any of these amazing artists I was shooting,” he says. “Their reply was that no one was listening to it.” The only magazine covering grime at the time was RWD, and James began shooting for it after leaving his post at Vice Magazine as staff photographer. It was a no-brainer move, inspired and spurred on by how in awe he was of the genre’s visuality.

The book’s designers, Alfie Allen and Max Marshall, brought grime’s fashion legacy to the tactile experience. James says: “I said I didn’t want to make a coffee table book as I thought that didn’t feel right for grime.” In consideration of how best to encapsulate the genre’s feel, James, Alfie, and Max came up with the idea of condensing the photo book into a poster; each page folds out into A2, creating a storybook that unfurls alongside the narrative. “The inspiration was all the materials back then – very plastic and shiny,” James says. “A pair of old y2k silver and orange Nike trainers had a big influence on the cover design.” The photo book is encased in a silver, record-like sleeve, with a vivid orange belly band slotting into top and bottom grooves to hold it all together.

Another important influence was the resourceful experimentation of grime culture. For example, S-X’s Wooo Riddim was created when the Wolverhampton producer was just 18, yet remains an immediately recognisable staple within the genre. James paid homage to the simplicity in grime production, often made in software like Fruity Loops, with his dark room techniques. “The technique was very instinctual, picking colours and almost painting out without seeing (it’s on photographic paper so has to be done in complete darkness) to create these vibrant colours,” says James.

Community is close to James’ heart. He highlights one key spot to grime’s beginnings – a youth club in Bow on Devons Road where the likes of D Double E, Nasty Crew and Ruff Sqwad all went to share ideas and hone their craft. Such spaces are ever-more integral for youth, especially in the face of widespread closures. James says: “I’d love to think the government should be doing more, but history has taught me not to have faith in our government. So I believe the creative industry needs more care and support. It’s our responsibility!”

James to put on a two day workshop this summer at Beau Beaus Cafe in E1 to make sure the book gave back to the community. He put a call out through Arts Emergency – an organisation he’s mentored with for six years – to young photographers to join a practical workshop shooting young musicians from Beau Beau’s music academy, the results of which were then exhibited. Since the books release, James has been expanding his mentorship, working on his short film and a book titled Taller the Hat Closer to Heaven. “Watch this space!,” the photographer ends.

James Pearson-Howes’ photo book When I’m ’Ere is available for purchase at his online store.