The Full Story
Overview
Not Old Or New is the latest project from North London grime MC, producer, recording engineer and creative Squintz.
The project marks a different point in Squintz's evolution. Following years of music shaped by conflict, pain, ambition, identity and self-reflection, Not Old Or New represents an artist who has begun to move beyond simply documenting what happened to him and towards understanding what he learned from it.
The project is rooted firmly in Grime, yet deliberately rejects the idea that Grime has to exist solely through aggression, confrontation and negativity. Across 15 tracks, Squintz explores a more nuanced version of the genre — still gritty and direct, but capable of being introspective, humorous, energetic and ultimately positive.
"I don't think this is a project of pain anymore. I guess I learned from it."
Squintz
The Story
Squintz's journey through music has been defined by constant evolution, but music was never simply a creative interest. Coming from a musical bloodline rooted in the heart of Kingston, he grew up feeling a natural connection to music, learning a great deal from his father, Q. After a disconnection from Q and other family at a young age, music became something much deeper. It became an escape, a way to process what was happening around him, and eventually a way of preserving memories.
Grime Without Gimmicks
One of the project's central ideas is that grime can be gritty without being miserable, aggressive without being destructive and introspective without losing its edge. Not Old Or New moves between confrontation, humour, reflection, confidence and feel-good moments while remaining grounded in grime.
Squintz isn't interested in artificially creating controversy to generate attention. After spending time away from social media, he has become increasingly uncomfortable with what he sees as the direction of online promotion — particularly the pressure to constantly manufacture moments, gimmicks and engagement.
Instead, Not Old Or New asks a simpler question: Can the music speak for itself?
Squintz wants to see whether he can put music into people's ears, keep it there and build an audience without feeling like he has to electronically "reel" them into listening.
The project is therefore intentionally music-first.
No manufactured persona.
No forced controversy.
No Gimmicks.
Just the music.
