Having created a new format, The Essence, alongside the music and entertainment platform Never Shook to evolve my livestream sets, I have designed it to take content to the next level while giving artists a space to be truly creative and expressive.
It’s all about offering a platform where they can showcase their artistry, deliver more lyrics, and just have fun with it. What makes The Essence unique is the freedom it offers – thanks to cutting-edge wireless technology from Pioneer DJ / Alpha Theta, artists can move around while performing. This mobility captures the raw, authentic energy of grime, allowing for a special kind of magic to happen when movement and performance come together. It also brings a fresh, next-level aesthetic to the social media world.
In today’s fast-paced digital space, I’ve noticed that only 20-second clips tend to gain traction. With The Essence, I wanted to go beyond fleeting moments and create something that gives artists the opportunity to really say something meaningful while enjoying the process. Filmed by the exceptional media team ‘Never Shook’, the series merges creative freedom with authenticity, making it a unique experience for both artists and audiences.
We’ve taken The Essence on the road, kicking things off with stops in Liverpool, collaborating with KOJ and rising stars like Leetz. From there, we headed to Birmingham to work with C4, Trilla, Hitman, Vadar, Trappy, and more. The series launched in style with incredible sets from Kruz Leone and Duppy. For Kruz Leone’s session, we even hit a London rooftop to recreate the pirate radio vibe. This particular block had a live aerial, making it the perfect backdrop to channel grime’s underground roots.
Some standout moments so far include an unforgettable session in Lewisham with Novelist, who curated a lineup of legends like Desperado, Blacks, Slickman Party, Roadside Gz, P Money, and Big Narstie. Another highlight for me was filming on Roman Road in Bow with Roll Deep members Manga Saint Hilare, Scratchy, Riko, and Breeze. That session was packed with nostalgia, featuring Devil Mix instrumentals and classic Roll Deep beats.
The Essence: Novelist, P Money + Friends – IG Link
The Essence: Roll Deep – IG Link
And it doesn’t stop there. We had Lady Ny deliver her Channel U classic “Fire,” a moment that brought pure heat to the series. To top it off, Donae’o turned up unexpectedly and laid down some serious bars over grime, proving once again why he’s a force to be reckoned with. These moments remind me why The Essence exists—to capture these raw, unfiltered moments of brilliance.
This is just the beginning. With extraordinary guests and fresh concepts lined up, The Essence pushes grime to new heights while staying true to its roots. Stay tuned – this is grime in its purest, most dynamic form.
The Essence: Lady Ny – IG Link
The Essence: Donae’o – IG Link
Words: DJ Mak Ten
