Clash DJ Mix – Under The Label x J-Cush

Slick selection from the Lit City Trax boss...

A city of 14 million, Shanghai has long had a burgeoning electronic music scene. One example of this being its very own SVBKVLT – a music, clothing and art label headed up by Gaz Williams. Who's also the brains behind revered bomb bunker-turned-club Shelter, that's been responsible for bringing artists like Kode9 and Mykki Blanco to this particular corner of the East.

Ballantine's whisky have taken it upon themselves to root out exciting musical subcultures from all over the world in their #UnderTheLabel zine series, and – after the first issue looking at Johannesburg's Kalawa Jazmee label, number two heads to Shanghai to apply a microscope to these electronic soundscapes. Guest edited by Scratcha DVA, it tells the stories of SVBKVLT by the founder, fans and stars of the label, offering a sharp insight into the world of Chinese electronica.

To celebrate the launch, Lit City Trax bossman and Rinse mainstay J-Cush has compiled a heady mix that encompasses bass, grime and – we're gonna stop talking, just give it a listen already.

"China is one of the most progressive countries when it comes to musical diversity", J-Cush says. "I think in part it is a reaction to the politics and the socio-economic situation there: the more regimented things are the more you desire something different from the status quo, something exciting that is a reaction to the rigidity of daily life."

"The reactions are remarkable to all sorts of different sounds. Anything goes in my sets in China. This mix is a selection of some forthcoming Lit City Trax material that will be in my crates when I'm back at the Shelter and touring Asia with Future Brown."

"The Shelter is a real gem amongst the worldwide underground – an old war bunker packed full of speakers and custom party specific installations and visuals from Kim Laughton – it's an experience you can't match with any other space."

"I've been lucky enough to play there twice already; once with Total Freedom on my first Asian tour, then again with Drippin on the second Lit City Trax tour and now I'm about to fly to Hong Kong before heading back to the Shelter again, this time with Future Brown and Roachee. There's such an amazing international presence of different artists and so many Chinese nationals with open ears excited to hear something new. It goes to show that the underground in China is one of the most exciting anywhere."

"Large up my family tree Gaz Williams and Kim Laughton in Shanghai"

Press play below and read the whole zine underneath.

Tracklisting
1. Blay "Gully Ting"
2. Raphia "Untitled"
3. Sami Baha "Maverick"
4. Drippin "Goblet"
5. Future Brown "Empire POV"
6. Future Brown ft Tink "Room 302"
7. Drippin "Tokyo Drift"
8. Future Brown ft Tink "Wanna Party" (intro-dubplate special)
9. Future Brown ft Tink & Tim Vocals "Wanna Party"
10. Youngstar "Pulse X" (Rizzla's Vogue edit)
11. DJ N.K. "Punched Horn"
12. Drippin "Corpse"
13. Kid Antoine "Energy Refill"
14. Blay "Leng VIP"
15. Rude Kid "Voices" (Sir Spyro remix)
16. Soulja Boy "Whippin My Wrist" (instrumental)
17. Faze Miyake "Ocean Drive"
18. Lao "Talisman VIP"
19. Durban "Bigmanstahshutup"
20. Dizzee Rascal "Trapped"
21. D Double E "Kaecee Waecee"
22. James Nasty "Back It Up"
23. DJ Marfox "Lucky Punch"
24. Lao "Lost Heritage"
25. DJ Freak "Night Off"
26. Drippin "Purged"
27. DJ Tiga "Stick'Em"
28. DJ Deeon "Exta-C" (909 RZ-1 remix)
29. DJ NA "Trilogy Crash Xtra"
30. Future Brown ft Jammer, Footsie & D Double E "Shut Up"
31. Drippin "Ultralight"

– – –

Image: Christelle De Castro
Words: Felicity Martin

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