SUPPORTED BY HENNESSY
The Great Notting Hill Carnival Returned In Style đ«
Photography: Elliot Huntley
Last weekend, Notting Hill Carnival made its long-awaited return to the streets of West London after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. It was desperately needed. The many epic soundsystems, the traditional Mas Bands and colourful outfitsâit was an unforgettable weekend in the sunny capital, one which shone a light on the beauty and influence of Caribbean culture on this country.
TRENCH headed down on Sunday to witness the Mas Bands electrify West LDN with traditional soca anthemsânew ones, tooâwith bright and elegant costumes on full display. Salutes to some of the early NHC carnivals were seen via the likes of Nostalgia Steelband, with their calypso anthems breaking through the sounds of other bands to dancing onlookers. Deep bass echoed through the convoy as a large crowd grew around the legendary Aba-Shanti-Iâs sound; London streetwear brand Benjart connected with S.V Sound, which celebrated some of the best dancehall- and influenced sounds from the West Indies; and one of the many highlights was DJ YeahItsReneeâs set at GT Flexâs soundsystem, where she spotlighted the Caribbeanâs influence on popular music today, with cuts like JD Reidâs dancehall edit of Burna Boyâs âLast LastâââLast 85ââshutting it down.
Carnival-lovers also got to enjoy the first ever Amapiano stage, which drew crowds in large numbers. Celebrating 32 years at Carnival this year, the iconic Rough But Sweet soundsystem joined creative forces with Hennessyâeveryoneâs favourite cognac brand that has championed new music for decadesâto present a space curated by the internationally renowned Piano People. The stage brought together a line-up of Amapiano pioneers from South Africa, including guest performers Costa Titch and DJs Vigro Deep and DBN Gogo, as well as showcasing emerging talent from the UK in the likes of Kilimanjaro. DJs, producers and viral dance trends have propelled the new dance music movement from the townships of South Africa to clubs across the globe, and its debut at NHC via Hennessy x Rough But Sweet x Piano People was an unforgettable moment.
With the growing forces against Carnival, itâs as important as ever to pay respect to the importance of the two-day cultural event and also celebrate the history and contributions of Caribbean people and culture to the UK and beyond. Between our walks to different sounds on Sunday, we stopped a few Carnival-goers to ask them a few important questions about why they came to the event and what songs they listened to before making their trip, which you can check out below.
Name: Abbas
Location: Camberwell, South East London
Why do you love Notting Hill Carnival? It brings so many different people together and the energy is great. Itâs rare in London that you get everyone in one spot, especially when the weather is good. Itâs at the end of the summer, so this closes it off nicely. Itâs not like London isnât anything without NHC, but without it, itâs lacking a massive chunk of culture and heritage. Carnival merges Afro-Caribbean cultures together, celebrating so many different elements of that, and invites others who are open to participating. London is losing a lot of its character as it is, especially with the widespread gentrification, so please do not get rid of Carnival! Itâs helping us hold on to parts of the city that we really need.
How did you decide on your outfit today? I went with the white Nike Air Force 1s; theyâre already battered, so I thought âI donât mind getting them a bit dirty today.â Itâs going to be impossible to keep any trainers clean today. Got some Corteiz, light blue trackies on. Iâve got a nice custom T-shirt in my bag, that my girlfriend made meâsheâs an artistâbut Iâm trying to keep it clean. Keep it simple. Iâd advise people for next year to use colour to stand out a bit. For me, itâs comfort over everything.
What track were you listening to before coming out today? Any of Vybz Kartelâs early catalogue is an anthem for me.
"London is losing a lot of its character as it is, especially with the widespread gentrification, so please do not get rid of Carnival!"
Name: Kione
Location: West London
Why do you love Notting Hill Carnival? I guess I feel like itâs almost the reason why I stay in London. Itâs the epitome of what London means, how multicultural London is and its history. Iâm Caribbean, so it representsâfor meâthe history of Caribbeans living in London and what theyâve been through. We canât forget that part of it. This area is so important to what actually happened in that journey. Iâve heard the rumours that Carnival might not be here for much longer; I donât know whatâs really going on, but we canât forget why Carnival exists in the first place. It represents multiculturalism, Caribbean people in this area, why Caribbean people are in this country and all the way up to now with the Windrush Scandal.
Whatâs the energy behind your outfit? I go to Jamaica a lot, so I picked up this fake Jamaican football kick in a market in Port Antonio. I originally bought it for my nephew, I tried it on, and it fitted me perfectly so I kept it. Itâs like 10 years old now. As for my trainersâgreen and yellow, you canât go wrong with the Jamaican colours. I wear them all the time; theyâre kind of fucked up because Iâve had them for quite some time. But theyâre great for comfort and I donât care if they get a little dirty.
What track were you listening to before coming out today? âJunctionâ by Popcaan.
"We can't forget why Carnival exists in the first place. It represents multiculturalism, Caribbean people in this area, why Caribbean people are in this country and all the way up to now with the Windrush Scandal."
Name: Elijah
Location: Finsbury Park, West London
Why do you love Notting Hill Carnival? Itâs Black culture, itâs Black London. I feel like itâs a great way for people to express themselves, their heritage and celebrate where they come from.
What does Notting Hill Carnival mean to you in 3 words? Food, fun and floats.
Whatâs the energy behind your outfit? I canât lie: Iâm coming again tomorrow (Monday) so this is a secondary outfit. Notting Hill Carnival is a lot of walking so I thought, âWhat is the most comfortable footwear?â It has to be the Crocks. *Points to Jamaican flag* Iâm Nigerian but, today, weâre Jamaican [laughs].
What anthem are you excited to hear out today on one of the soundsystems? Dexta Dapsâ âShabba Madda Potâ.
"I feel like it's a great way for people to express themselves, their heritage and celebrate where they come from."
