CORTEIZ x BOYBETTERKNOW

PHOTOGRAPHER: MELLO

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Boy Better Know (BBK) is a London-based music collective and label founded in 2005 by JME, with core members including his brother Skepta, Frisco, Jammer, Shorty and DJ Maximum. At a time when Grime was still fighting for space in the UK mainstream, BBK stood out as one of the scene’s most self-sufficient forces, creating a blueprint for how independent artists could build careers and make money without relying on major labels.

They helped shape the sound of Grime through a steady stream of self-released mixtapes, albums and white labels, as well as some high profile clashes, but just as importantly, they shifted the business model. BBK embraced the DIY mentality that powered the early Grime scene, treating music like a startup and finding new ways to build and sell their identity in a scene with little industry infrastructure.

When JME first designed the BBK logo at university in 2005, it was only meant for the cover of his debut mixtape. A year later, he printed the first official t-shirts to take to a rave, with no real plan beyond seeing friends, family and fans repping the name.

Rather than rely on traditional music marketing, JME soon saw the shirts as a way to promote the BBK brand while generating income independently, much like their approach to releasing music without a major label. JME would design the shirts himself, sell them through MySpace and at raves, and even hand deliver them to fans. Before long, bootlegs started appearing, a clear sign the wave was spreading.

What started out as merch quickly became something much greater. The Boy Better Know logo evolved into an iconic symbol of Grime & UK street culture, worn by artists and fans alike, and instantly recognisable worldwide.

The success of Boy Better Know’s early merch set the tone for how independent Grime and UK rap artists approach branding today. They showed it was possible to move culture and make money on your own terms, cutting out the middlemen and the gatekeepers.

That same mindset is at the heart of the Boy Better Know and CORTEIZ collaboration: self-made, grassroots, LUNDUN to the core. From music to fashion, both BBK and CORTEIZ have built loyal followings by moving on their own terms. This collaboration brings together two generations of London creators who understand that sound, style and identity are all part of the same movement.

CORTEIZ has worked with BBK on an exclusive collection that features a Tracksuit, Shuku Set, Shorts, T-Shirts, Mesh Jersey and a BBK x CORTEIZ x New Era fitted cap.

Written by DaMetalMessiah