The doors finally closed in the early hours of this morning on a star studded Lord Of The Mics Volume 8 release party.
With this seasons product now winging it's way out into the universe (download / physical DVD), here is a recap of how one of the landmark grime launch events of the year so far went down last night at The Curtain.
First up Jammer arrived in a Jamaican independence dark green Rolls-Royce Phantom – with a black badge Rolls-Royce drop top following in close succession. Quickly the curb filled with new Rolls' generating a flashmob on Curtain Road. Quite the scene to start the ball rolling for the evening!
Entering the venue thirsts were immediately quenched thanks to free drinks provided by the good folks at Hennessy and Havana Club Rum. With the screening room at The Curtain packed with LOTM8 supporters the atmosphere was electric.
MCs, press, friends & family alike joined Jammer and Ratty for a first view of Volume 8. Followed by a lively Q&A session & screening of our collaborative short film 'Rolling With… Jammer'.
With Puma kindly having supplied both garments & shoes for the evening for the next wave MCs and Mclear contactless rings being tapped for free drinks at the bar, plus all the Rolls-Royce's lined up on the curb outside The Curtain – this felt like grime futurism had found it's nirvana.
With the right infrastructure in place to support and scale the creative output of pioneers like LOTM and the other vital bastions of the scene who have perservered relentlessly through heavy weather at times – it is now a better time than ever to be a young creative.
The next wave of talent are coming up fast on the heels of iconic MC's. Sharper and wiser to the business with more control over their decisions and a clear path to success lit up by a set of trailblazers and firebrand rolemodels topping the charts.
Grime is in rude, rude health and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. The scene came through in numbers last night to show love and support the movement.
Descending to LP the club was packed. With DJ Argue, DJ Elknows, DJ Maximum and DJ Dan (D Double E) on the decks setting the tempo at warp speed. The LOTM8 cast aired anthemic crew cuts from Volume 8 alongside solo material.
Joining them Jammer and friends, D Double E, Frisco, Skepta and more capped off the night with bars on bars on sight descending into a cypher the likes of which have not been seen for some time with the Shure mic a blur in the b2b fast handovers.
Thank you to The Curtain for their incredible hospitality, to all partners and teams putting the event together and to all our guests and performers for coming through midweek and partying hard with us.
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Photography: AWM Photography
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