When I mention gentrification to most of my friends they jump and say London is finished, time to leave and let the bankers, wankers and trendies take over. My old stomping ground of Kentish Town was always perceived to be the poor man’s Hampstead. It wasn’t posh or affluent, it had The Forum, Old Bull and Bush but has become one of many places that has been gentrified and become a cool place to hang out sadly without those legendary venues.
Ok so Gentrification may be be rife but it certainly hasn’t killed the London music scene. In fact it’s made it stronger. There is so much exciting and vibrant music coming through every London floorboard representing all genres. The new grime movement seems to be making waves. If it wasn’t for London we wouldn’t have had Soul II Soul, Blur, Goldie, Adele, Skepta and numerous other talent so we should be praised for its heritage. Without a sufficient platform and base London artists cannot get any recognition. Iconic clubs such as Plastic People, Camden Palace, The Astoria disappeared due to redevelopments, Crossrail and property sales – councils such as Hackney are intent on changing opening times. Regardless the live music and club scene are still strong with the likes of The Macbeth, Fabric and Ministry of Sound dominant and packed every weekend. The bar scene has taken some of the elements allowing a bit of the club vibe to be centred in a small and intimate environment. I’ve seen that through my DJ sets in Shoreditch & Soho.
Gentrification has not changed the sound and progression of London music it has made more unique, effective and made artists ensure the London sound will never be changed regardless of what changes are made. I’ve picked 12 tracks that represent what the current sound of London life and culture is all about from new artists bubbling through.
DJ and broadcaster Edward Adoo@EdwardAdoo
The Age of Luna – 6 Feet Deep
The Age of Luna are a four piece group from North West London. They’ve just released a mixtape Live Under No Authority, influenced by a heavy 90s hip hop and soul sound. 6 Feet Deep is their party jam that can get all the party people in Bow, Dalston, Stockwell and Camden headnodding.
Deekline & Bad Zuke – Pull That Back
New to the house and breaks scene Bad Zuke has teamed up with breaks stalwart Deekline to form a rave monster. Pull That Back rips all dancefloors when it’s dropped. One for the Fabric ravers. A dark, devious and ruggid led baseline tune. It’s dread!
Nishe – Come Back Here
Who said alternative indie rock was dead. Nishe have rekindled my spirit. Three piece band formed in London. I saw these guys by accident at the Fiddlers Elbow in Chalk Farm and was instantly blown away. They’ve got elements of Reef and Muse. Come Back Here reminds me of the heyday of Britpop – the Underground in Camden / Barfly etc.
#Wave – Cypher (pictured)
Representing South London, Wave are a grime collective featuring Charlie Trees and Jon E Clayface. They are raw, energetic and far from watered down with lots of things to address. Produced by Shannon Parkes its a certified ‘on road’ banger.
Skata – Kyanagwe
Afrobeats is a unique genre that gets my Mum dancing at a party. Championed by DJ Abrantee it continues to dominate the London scene from Streatham to Stratford and represents what is unique and multicultural about London. Skata is one to watch on the scene. He’s from London but keeps his identity on a downlow. Love the vibe and flow of Kyanagwe – it has all the traditional elements of the Afrobeat sound.
Ashley Henry Trio – Deja Vu
Jazz has always been an integral part of London’s music scene. I grew up listening to a lot of Jazz watching my Dad perform at the 100 Club, Ronnie Scotts. Found it hard to find someone who cuts it and knows their jazz. Found Ashley through Jazz on 3 / BBC Introducing. He’s a London based pianist & composer who truly represents what London Jazz is all about.
Owen Westlake – What I’m Going To Do
An underground house producer from East Sussex now based in London. Found this track searching for tracks to play in my DJ set at Silverstone. Instantly blew me away. Hands in the air, feel good piano led house music, not EDM. If this was played at Egg, Ministry of Sound it would get a great reaction.
Tom Misch – Sunshine
Tom Misch – Singer/Songwriter/violinist – representing South East London. D’Angelo, J Dilla, Disclosure – Sunshine has a killer groove that captures the soul and dance scene of what London is all about.
Louise Golbey – Sparkle
A unique discovery hailing the leafy parts of North West London. Wembley girl by heart. I met Louise at the DAB launch of Mi-Soul Radio. She sounds very much like Amy Winehouse and Zhane, so many similarities, definitely enriched with soul. Sparkle reminds me of taking a stroll across Hyde Park on a Sunday morning.
Raphaella – Fall
Other than one supermarket, a train station there’s not much going in East Barnet but glad Raphaella has put East Barnet firmly on the map. She’s an unsigned gem from East Barnet, blends persian sounds with R & B, powerful stabs and breakdowns. One to watch.
Brother Zulu – Sweet Lady
Brother Zulu are a two piece London based collective. Very soulful and seem to be influenced by the likes of Jamie Woon, Robert Glasper and Roy Ayers. Found them by accident online and was memorised by their lead track Sweet Lady. Pure jazzy licks and electronic grooves.
Cera – Another Way You Want It
Paying homeage to that 80’s electro sound, representing Hackney in fine style. Would expect to hear this at an after party in a Shoreditch warehouse. Cera are a two piece collective – Nicolette and Jake. Futuristic dreamy electronic pop – Nicolette sounds a bit like LaRoux.
