heatwavelondon
About Us
The Heatwave is a collective of DJs, MCs and producers from London and Bristol - Gabriel, Master G, Henry and Rubi Dan. We run a monthly night in London, play out all over the UK and beyond, produce riddims and remixes, compile CDs and mixes and write about the music we love: dancehall reggae, hip hop and more from the UK, the Caribbean and around the world.
Our infamous DJ-friendly refixes - including dancehall versions of Kelis's Trick Me and Lily Allen's LDN - have been released on the Punchline and Heatwave labels and are loved by the likes of David Rodigan (Kiss FM), Gilles Peterson (Radio 1), Mr Scruff, Seani B (BBC 1xtra), Daddy Ernie (Choice FM), DJ Yoda and 100% Dynamite.
Our monthly Caribbean/Latino soundclash at Rhythm Factory, Heatwave vs Mas Fuego, did much to pioneer the reggaeton sound in London back in 2005/06, and also featured reggae/dancehall live sets from grime and hip hop MCs like Riko Dan, Klashnekoff and Rodney P. We play regularly at club nights and festivals such as Bestival, Womad, Koko, Bar Rumba, Herbal, 333, 93 Feet East, Cargo, Jamm and Notting Hill Arts Club.
We also run the Scandal Bag label, responsible for a couple of releases from Jamaican artist Quality Diamond, including the ragga jungle anthem Let It Billie produced by DJ C (Mashit). Our very own productions are forthcoming on the label - riddims like Piano, Teesra and Heavenless featuring voicings from top UK MCs such as YT, Riko Dan, Yungun, Warrior Queen, Suncycle, Quality Diamond and Rubi Dan.
We make mixes and compilations, including our UK MCs retrospective An England Story which will be given an official release by Soul Jazz Records in 2008. As well as writing our blog, we contribute regularly to magazines including FACT, Shook and Woofah. In the past, we've also written for publications such as StraightNoChaser, Undercover, SOS and musicalbear.
