Fela Kuti
WHERE TO BE:
Camden Disco Festival: Mafada, Daisybelle, Tiffany Quinn, Lilli Kelly
Koko, November 6, 10pm-5am
Camden Disco Festival returns to Koko this Friday for what looks set to be a very fun night in Camden Town.
Heading the all-female line-up is Mafalda, co-founder of London-based label Melodies International. She is joined by Daisybelle and Tiffany Quinn, as well as Pikes Ibiza resident Lilli Kelly.
Koko has established itself as one of London’s homes for quality electronic music, with its Koko Electronic nights consistently hosting some of the world’s best DJs. The combination of a huge sound system, a proper dancefloor and the old theatre surrounding you makes it a brilliant setting for this kind of event.
At the time of writing, tickets start at just £7.60, which is very attractive for a London club night.
For anyone looking for somewhere local to dance this Friday, the Camden Disco Festival is a very strong option.
ARTIST TO CHECK OUT:
Fela Kuti
Fela Kuti is an artist whose life was nothing short of extraordinary. Born in Nigeria in 1938, he became one of the most influential African artists of the 20th century.
Fela pioneered Afrobeat, fusing the West African genre highlife with sounds from jazz and funk.
He was also an outspoken political activist, regularly using his music to attack corruption and military rule in Nigeria, as well as colonial and neocolonial influence across Africa.
While his story is fascinating, it shouldn’t overshadow just how good his music is. If you are new to him, listen to Water No Get Enemy, Zombie and Gentleman to get an idea of Fela’s unprecedented style.
ALBUM TO CHECK OUT:
From Church Rd to Hollywood: Nines
Last week, Nines released Young Nina, a collection of recordings from his teenage years, marking his second trip into the archives this year. After announcing his retirement with Quit While You’re Ahead in 2024, he returned this summer with Lost Tapes, a collection of previously unreleased material from across his career.
As a teenager growing up in London, my playlists tended to host a selection of Nines’ tracks, and while Young Nina is definitely worth listening to, its release sent me back through some of his older projects.
Albums such as One Foot Out, Crop Circle and Crabs in a Bucket are all among my favourite UK rap records, but I want to go right back to the first mixtape he released.
Coming out in 2012, From Church Rd to Hollywood remains one of the defining projects of Nines’ career. Hosted by Inchez, the 20-track mixtape is packed with the witty punchlines and detailed storytelling that would come to define his sound.
The production also deserves to be praised. Breathing and Zino Always Said are two favourites, and both have brilliant, raw beats.
And it would be impossible to skip past CR. Produced by hip-hop legend Warren G, its punchy opening leads into some of Nines’ sharpest verses.
Nines will always be one of the key names when talking about British rap, and From Church Rd to Hollywood remains one of the clearest examples of why. Few would disagree that this project has gone down as a cult classic.
