The proceeds from this book will be donated to Studio 36, ensuring the continuation of free music education and development for young artists in London.
Lost Dreams by Simon Wheatley is a raw, bittersweet documentation of the East London streets where grime music was born. Set in E14, the book focuses on underground crews Bomb Squad and Wile Out Onez, younger members of the pioneering Roll Deep collective. Through vivid photography, Wheatley captures the gritty realities of youth clubs, pirate radio, and the challenging lives that shaped the genre. The book also includes an interview with a former Bomb Squad member, reflecting on street life and the disappearing spaces for working-class youth. With a poem by Hak Baker, Lost Dreams goes beyond nostalgia, offering a candid look at grime’s origins and its enduring cultural impact.
Lost Dreams. Backdoor Editions. 23 x 30cm. Softcover, spiral bound. 174 pages. 1st Edition. 1500 Copies. 2022. Simon Wheatley.
