Dizzee Rascal and Wiley are widely considered the godfathers of a genre tentatively entitled grime. Combining the ear-crashing instrumentation of garage with the crime-riddled rhymes of rap, the sound creeping cautiously from the bowels of the underground is refreshingly and uniquely British.

Tonight, in a packed east London club, four grime artists battle for microphone supremacy. The crowd - bleary-eyed students interested primarily in pulling - are not the ideal audience for the event. They react enthusiastically to the jaw-breaking gymnastics of the warm-up act, beat-boxer Killa Kela, yet seem a little confused by the buzz-saw beats and gun-clapping drum patterns that follow. Still, the quartet seem not to notice, and throw themselves into their performances.

Kano, a member of the Nasty Crew, instantly impresses the females with his Boys Love Girls posturing and pretty-boy looks. He's accompanied by the aptly named Demon, and the two are utterly commanding.

Already an Ivor Novello nominee thanks to his co-production on Dizzee's Jus' a Rascal, Taz is one of the UK's most promising producers and performers. With tracks like the thunderous Can't Contain Me, he struts about the stage, unfolding his tales of council estate life with prowess and verbal dexterity.

It is a young woman from Hackney, however, who captures the crowd. In 2003 Chanelle "Shystie" Scott recorded a riposte to Dizzee's I Luv U song, and promptly bagged herself a record deal. It's little wonder. Attacking the mic with ferocity and a speed that is mind-spinning, she is a sight to behold as she spits the potent poetics of forthcoming single One Wish. The crowd clearly agree, claiming Shystie as their queen.

· Shystie plays the Respect festival, London E3, on July 17. Details: 020-7983 6554