With our latest Issue 124 on stands, the nights getting longer and June warming up nicely we return to Cafe Koko in Camden on Thursday 29th June for a night of live music & DJs with great food and drinks on hand.
Fast scroll down to sign-up now via the form at the bottom of this article.
Running monthly, the series has returned for 2023 with fresh energy at Cafe Koko. Bringing together industry favourites for an invite-only cultural celebration. So far this season we have hosted Goldie Quaker, N I C O and Daniel Blenman holding down the decks for PA sets from AntsLive, Br3nya, BZ, Zakhar, Jaydonclover, Psi.ko, Tommy Saint, Berna, G!ft & Lost Girl.
This month we will be joined by the inimitable AZ holding down the mic on hosting duties. Gathering together some of the brilliant minds from the Pay Your Shooter community for the dance.
Acts including Ashnikko, J HUS, Lady Leshurr, Tom Grennan, Masego, Jarreau Vandal, Knucks, Big Zuu, Sampah The Great, Poppy Ajudha, Greentea Peng, Jammer, Skepta, Frisco, Sneakbo, Sam Tompkins & many more have all previously graced the Clash Live stage.
This is generally speaking the last chance to catch some these acts this year in such an intimate environment. As always space is extremely limited, sign up for the free ticket lottery now via the form below for your chance to attend. Thursday June 29th we will be starring the following acts alongside all our favourite new music on-rotation.
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BAWO
West London’s very own Bawo simply does not miss. The rapper’s immaculate catalogue is rooted in individuality, with the rising artist developing a voice of his own. With eyes firmly set on him, the West London’s rapidly rising artiat has recently released the much anticipated EP Legitimate Cause. The 7-track release comes shortly after the latest single & video drop ‘Not Just Yet’.
Throughout Legitimate Cause, Bawo proclaims how serious he is taking his music career, making it clear that his intentions are to continue his journey through the ranks as one of the UK’s most exciting new prospects and we are very much here for it.
The themes explored through the artwork are tongue-in-cheek references to Bawo stepping into the professional phase of his career. Returning to London after a triumphant UK tour, we are doubly excited to host Bawo on a Clash Live stage in June.
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FELIXTHE1ST
UK rap riser FelixThe1st has that viral flair, with each release seeming to connect with a massive audience. Master of fun, ultra-colourful UK rap workout’s, his innate pop suss is aligned to a deep awareness of underground tropes. Expertly balancing those two aspects of his personality.
Felix’s initial taste of the industry came at 15 years old, having created opportunities to perform as a dancer alongside Stormzy, Years & Years, Jungle, and The Spice Girls. Following years of progressively experimenting with songs of his own, a seamless transition from dance to music began in 2018 when he built a network of producers to help construct a sound of his own.
His new alias of ‘FelixThe1st’ – courtesy of his cat-like reflexes – came alongside the birth of a stand-alone artist who identified himself with face paint, a nod to his love for WWE. His breakout single, ‘Own Brand (Freestyle)’ alongside Dreya Mac introduced him to the world on a significant scale, earning him more recently a prestigious MOBO Award for Song Of The Year.
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KWAKU ASANTE
Kwaku Asante is as much a storyteller as he is a singer and songwriter. He draws inspiration from his musical heritage, his friendships, and the potential for love in even mundane interactions to produce R&B and soul inspired tracks, themed around companionship, masculinity, and mental health. His catalogue and co-signs are a testament to his talents.
Since his debut track, co-produced by Tom Misch, Kwaku has released a stream of singles and two EPs, toured with Samm Henshaw and sold out a headline show at Village Underground. On his Wanderlust project, an EP with an album-like cohesiveness, Kwaku channeled the likes of Sampha, Frank Ocean, Michael Kiwanuka and Moses Sumney.
Kwaku has fond memories of his younger years, with his love for music igniting both at church and home in a house filled with Gospel and Jazz. Kwaku’s grandfather, A.K Badu, was an executive producer in Ghana – who founded the first record company there in 1954, Ambassador Records Manufacturing – and worked alongside musical royalty Quincy Jones and Fela Kuti. This musical lineage is something Kwaku has come to appreciate more as he gets older, and it has become a driving force for him to reach the highest of heights.
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MNELIA
UK R&B singer-songwriter Mnelia has shared her new EP ‘Closure Tapes’. The all-new 10 track document features some special work, with Mnelia on revelatory form. Out now, ‘Closure Tapes’ deals with difficult aspects of her life, while also offering chinks of light amid the darkness.
A project that offers, well, closure the new EP was constructed alongside long-term collaborators Gustav Landell, Albin Tengblad and a host of collaborators. In a note, Mnelia labels the results “my own heartbreak bible”. The EP features previous singles ‘Closure’, ‘White Lies’ and most recently ‘Genesis’. The EP also features a standout remix for her recent single ‘Genesis’ featuring UK R&B darlings Miraa May, Bellah alongside stateside’s Joyce Wrice.
The recent release of ‘Genesis’ is the follow up of her previous single, ‘White Lies’ featuring Peckham’s Kwengface, and once again highlights her truly ethereal 90’s R&B-infused vocals and vulnerably honest lyricism. We are super excited to welcome Mnelia to the Clash Live stage.
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CLASH DJs
Live performers will be joined by CLASH DJs Daniel Blenman & N I C O spinning our favourite records from early doors until closing time.
EVENT DETAILS:
CLASH Live “Next Wave” @ Cafe Koko
Thursday 29th June 2023
Ground Floor, 74 Crowndale Rd,
London NW1 1TP
Doors: 7.00pm – 12.00am
Confirmed RSVP is essential for entry & please arrive early to avoid a queue. Sign-up for the guest list now and look out for an email from us in the coming days for all guests we can accommodate this month…
