BWOY WE HAD A TIME: THANK YOU SUMMER
Ah, what a scorching summer it has been in London, and boy, did we kick it off with a bang! Let's rewind the records and relive the musical magic that had us dancing till the sun went down!
First up, we had the sensational City Splash festival, right in the heart of South London. It was a family affair that brought together both the veterans and the rising stars of the reggae, dancehall, and afrobeats scenes. With headliners like Chronixx, Koffee, Skillibeng, General Levy, and even the enigmatic Uncle Waffles, this event was a true musical feast for the soul.
As we gazed across Brockwell Park, it was evident that this festival encapsulated the diverse and vibrant talent the black British community adored. The beats were so infectious that even the squirrels were doing a little shimmy in the trees!
Our wallets might've been in a chokehold, but that didn't stop us from heading to Margate for Recess' 100th event. They pulled out all the stops with their debut festival at the iconic Dreamland, drawing over 15,000 party enthusiasts from near and far. It was a weekend filled with laughter, dance, and unforgettable memories.
And just when we thought the summer couldn't get any hotter, Queen Bey herself graced us with her presence at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Her "Renaissance" performance left us utterly spellbound. Drenched in metallic gowns, she transformed the North London stadium into a cathedral of art and music. Beyoncé didn't just perform; she Beyoncéd, leaving us with a new verb in our lexicon. "Like, did you Beyoncé today?" became the question on everyone's lips.
While some of us were catching up on our beauty sleep, the lucky few jetted off to Malta for an unforgettable musical getaway. From JayO's RnB jams to being serenaded by the soulful sax of Masego, the hot weather and beach vibes had us Brits at home frothing with envy. The DLT'ers sang their hearts out till the sun kissed the horizon, and it was pure magic.
But the summer of sounds wouldn't be complete without afrobeats royalty taking centre stage. Wizkid and Burna Boy graced a UK stadium for the very first time, and it was nothing short of spectacular. With mind-blowing production and infectious rhythms, they had us dancing all night long. From Rema to Tiwa Savage, it's clear that afrobeats has come a long way, from humble shows at the Indigo to effortlessly selling out venues like the O2 Arena.
The growth continued with artists in the alté world, and Gabzy showed us why he was the man for the job. Every weekend, there was a club night or live show, from BoxOut's debut festival in Birmingham to Reveur's annual summer pride party, which united the black queer community.
As summer waltzed towards its final stretch, the soca gods graced the streets of Notting Hill. With jerk pans sizzling and speakers booming from floats, August was no time for the faint-hearted. From Stormzy's festival at Victoria Park to the grand return of Vogue Rites ball at Somerset House, our bellies were full, and our hearts were dancing.
For the last men and women standing, there was one final adventure—Biza! Dankie Sounds, though relatively new to the event circuit, had us booking flights to the party island. Being the welcoming home of amapiano, they have been the undeniable gateway in to the masses in our community exploring the black electronic world.
And so, dear readers, this summer was a musical odyssey that London won't soon forget. From South London's reggae rhythms to Ibiza's electronic waves, it was a journey filled with laughter, legends, and most importantly, unforgettable melodies. Till next summer, keep the music alive and the dance floors packed!
