An underground musical movement which has got the backing of the "godfather of grime" is spreading across Kent.

It's the sorts of sounds you'd more commonly associate with the South London streets of Brixton or Peckham.

Now a new talent agency is tapping into the county's best young artists in the genres of rap, grime, afrobeat, and hip hop.

Gravesend-based music scouts, GTown Talents is "linking" up young artists with one another, offering free spaces to record and share their experiences.

Rappers are encouraged to send in their videos on social media from their corner of Kent with the message of "positive vibes only".

They've even caught the attention of Wiley, the man dubbed "the godfather of grime", perhaps best known for his seminal UK number 1, Heatwave.

The Rolex-wearing star follows the crew on Instagram and has promised to check out the local talent, telling the chief scout: "Of course I will come there and see them."

He's not the first rap star to back Gravesend after rapper Giggs was scheduled to make an appearance last year.

The artist, real name Nathaniel Thompson, apologised to his 735,000 followers after his performance at Blake's nightclub was cancelled when a a man drove through the nightclub.

GTown Talents frontman, Jimmy Babalola, believes there is all manner of untapped potential in the county just waiting to be discovered.

Last week, the agency was invited to showcase its youth work at a Kent County Council event at the Woodville, as part of Black History Month.

The 29 year-old mentor said: "Kent has not started yet and I don't know why.

"I think Gravesend has the best youth talent. There are 15-year-old artists here who are already better than 18-year-olds in London."

"These youngsters are ahead of their time."

Earlier this month, the scouting agency hosted its first freestyle competition called 'The Official Street Cred'.

A range of solo artists and groups from different genres performed in front of a panel of judges assembled by Jimmy and co-partner, Jordan Chawner.

DeeDee, a female freestyle rapper came out on top, taking home a cash prize of £100 and plenty of plaudits for her explosive lyrics.

But Kent's stamp on the grime scene is not just limited to the south banks of the Thames Estuary.

"We've had artists come down from Canterbury and Maidstone doing sessions with us," Jimmy said.

"It's all happened in just eight weeks. It's mad."

He says some have even become "mini celebrities" with one 15 year-old artist known as Young H spotted by fans while out shopping in Strood.

With links to record companies and producers, he is keen to share his knowhow and give a platform to others.

The former Canterbury Christ Church student started out by working in an art gallery in Maidstone.

It has since closed down but he credits his time at Xross-Polynation as helping to "shape who he is today" and "build connections".

"I will not promote crime or people bad mouthing the police..." - Jimmy Babalola

Keeping youngsters grounded is a big part of this, he says. "It takes a lot of work to get to the top."

Not everyone has been in favour of the group's work, however.

Certain youth groups have even accused the agency, which is primarily aimed at 13 to 26-year-olds, of glamorising anti-social forms of behaviour.

Hip Hop and grime have long been regarded as the mouthpiece for sections of disaffected youth.

The genres have come in for criticism as being seen to promote disputes between gangs who engage in violence and criminal activity.

But Jimmy says the lyrics of the young MCs and rappers here in Gravesend are more a reflection of what's happening on our streets than a cause.

"It's about bringing communities together and providing them with a voice," he said

"I'm not going to block people from saying what they are saying.

"But at the same time, the only thing I said I will not promote is crime or people bad mouthing the police."

The team has been busy spreading the message across social media and has just launched the agency's own Youtube channel.

They have been busy shooting music videos with the help of creative director Vyberooms.

With more freestyle competitions in the pipeline the team has its ambitions set firmly on tapping into the rapping ranks of Dartford, Gillingham and Margate next.

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