As you know, England's biggest carnival is just around the corner and it’s sure to be the topic of everyone’s conversation!
The celebration is popping off with a bang, featuring new and upcoming artists and DJs whose main goal is to get the vibes going carnival style – so I hope you’re ready for an epic turn-up!
However, carnival goers aren’t the only people looking forward to what’s to come – those on stage are just as excited to show out and express their love for music on the bank holiday weekend.
Some new and old faces are making an appearance, and we spoke with a few to find out what they are most looking forward to, and what vibes they'll be bringing to the party – a comeback that has been two years in the making.
Dende Nation, a Samba Reggae Collection from the UK, will be one of many groups blessing the crowds with some Afro-Brazilian drumming and rhythms. A sound that is frequently heard on the streets during carnival season, along with dancers in bright costumes moving their bodies to the beat.
Emmanuel MacDonald, who is the musical director and band leader of Dende Nation, has performed with other members of the collective for years after forming a love for the music a long time ago.
He told us: “Being able to concentrate on something different really fulfils me and others through trying times – it has a very medicinal effect.”
Samba reggae is a type of music that originated in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil, in its neighbourhoods, cultural institutions, and public spaces. Developed in the 1970s as a fusion of Jamaican Reggae and Brazilian Samba de Roda, it's brought communities together for decades.
"We try to emulate what we hear coming from Salvador. It’s about empowering people to do better in their neighbourhoods, and within themselves."
As you can imagine, Mac is very familiar with the carnival dynamic, but, even for a seasoned performer like himself, he still anticipates what's to come.
He said: “If I’m leading something, after practising the ordered tunes we need to perfect, I’ll throw new instructions at the musicians, and even if they don’t know what's going on at the time, that's usually when we play at our best. Anything can happen."
A little bit of chaos is what Mac told us makes for a great performance, so he’s banking on some freestyling to keep the listeners on their toes.
Speaking of keeping people on their toes, a new DJ is emerging onto the scenes, and making her first ever Notting Hill Carnival debut!
Amelia Constanti, a young sound system DJ will have the chance to get the party people going through the Lin Kam Art Sound System Futures Programme.
The Sound System Futures Programme is a pilot project initiated by Lin Kam Art to develop the next generation of British Association of Sound System BASS leads at Notting Hill Carnival.
The carnival is passionate about showcasing new talent and allowing individuals to be a part of the tradition. So in the two weeks up to Notting Hill Carnival, this programme allows up to ten young people the opportunity to explore different aspects of sound system culture and meet key figures, then play at the mega event!
Being one of those lucky young people, Amelia expressed how surreal this moment feels for her to be a part of the acts for the first time: “I’m just in awe that I get to parade an event that celebrates Caribbean culture, but embraces UK culture and includes that. As a dubstep DJ I get to see everyone come together and enjoy different music.”
Although she focuses on dubstep, she includes a mixture of different music genres throughout her set which create a fun and wild experience. She first takes you through a down-tempo ambient, then finishes off in the dubstep genre she loves.
“My music is heavily influenced by dubstep. It’s in everything I do, and I can recognise dub in other genres of music.”
As a young person in London, the influence of music would be hard to avoid – and why would you want to? Amelia mentioned how intrigued she was by the carnival when she was little, and how now being a part of it makes it that much more special.
“Since growing up in West London, I’ve been exposed to sound systems. I remember being younger and thinking what is this because it was new to me, but as I got older it just became a familiar sound, and a culture I love.”
This is clearly going to be an event of a lifetime! it’s never been a disappointment before, so I know it’s going to come in full force with the enjoyment.
You have the additive sound of Samba Reggae brought to you by Dende Nation to look forward to, and a new DJ Amelia, who’s sure to bring that dubstep energy to the party, and so much more!
