REVIEW: SLAKAH, NICK BREWER & DUMBFOUNDED BRING THE NEXT WAVE AT #LOVEDOUGH

Despite the rain, hail and all the other faces of England’s bipolar weather, LOVEDOUGH presents Next Up went down with a bang. Hosted by Rinse FM’s Yinka, the night took a mellow soothing start with the amazing JC Villafan (@jcvillafan). The 21-year-old Mexican from LA is currently touring Europe with an encouraging message for young people to pursue their ideal career.

Nick Brewer (@itsnickbrewer) took to the Lovedough stage for the first time armed with his guitarist Joe and vocalist Mega. The rapper’s set featured the song ‘Close’ from his mixtape ‘Alone With My Thoughts’ as well as a new yet familiar track ‘So Good’. This track sampled Chris Malinchak’s chorus from his song ‘So Good To Me’ which brought a bassy house that had the crowd bouncing along. I managed to grab a quick chat with Nick after his set, he told me how this was his first time performing with his amazing vocalist Mega in about 2 years. She had been out of it for a while due to problems with her throat though you’d never have guessed by the way she belted out each song. Coming from a place he described as one where “nobody wants us because we’re neither Essex nor London, we’re just there” the Ilford resident said he very much enjoyed the night and I’m sure the crowd enjoyed his performance just as much.

After a short interval Yinka announced the next artist, Canadian Slakah the Beatchild whose soul, rhythm and blues vibe had folks two stepping across the venue. The award winning performer and producer is the front man of the group The Slakadeliqs and was accompanied by the long dredded genius Spek Won (@spekwon). Not only did Slakah win over the crowd with his vocals but stepped it up a notch when he decided to jump off the stage to start break dancing in the middle of the audience.

Another ‘City of Angels’ resident Dumbfounded (@dumbfounded) also graced the Camden stage before touring the rest of Europe. It was pretty clear that he has a strong following as there were a number of frantic screamers dotted about in the crowd. To them he announced “I love ya’ll but to all the screamers, this is not a Justin Bieber concert. This is a hip-hop set.” His commentary in between songs about Asian stereotypes was so blunt that he had his audience in hysterics, a genuine crowd pleaser. His spontaneous freestyle half way his set through showed his natural lyrical ability and had everyone in awe. Hands were up and heads were bopping, and undoubtable sign of good vibes.

The night was truly a mixed bag, whether you were popping Belvedere or smoking some shisha, suited up or conversed down, Lovedough presents Next Up was a cracker and successful night.
Words by: Nyasha Takawira
nick brewer Slakah The Beatchild Dumbfoundead