For years now, Black British music and culture has had an ally in Wingstop UK. The fried chicken juggernaut is a conduit showcasing the greatness of the modern-day creative scene, working with musicians like Stormzy and D-Block Europe, brands like Corteiz and platforms like RECESS. Wherever you look, Wingstop UK has a base covered, allowing fans to peek into what their favourite artists are up to and curating everything from activations to parties, all while supplying top-quality chicken for the stars and the public alike.

It made sense, then, for Wingstop UK to pull out all the stops for their first ever Flavours event in London, an opportunity for the brand to spotlight the scenes they admire while uplifting generations of Black British music and culture, from grime and UK rap to drill. Having a hand in shaping where the culture is heading and who the major players are driving it, they brought fans along for the ride on Thursday 12th December. The brand’s now-iconic logo adorned all four corners of Shoreditch’s Village Underground as 600 fans were invited for a night of food, prizes and musical performances from the very best we have to offer. All for a ticket price of £1. Needless to say, a time was had.

With free Lemon Pepper and Spicy Korean Q boneless chicken, fries and ranch boxes on the menu, no one left the event hungry. The drinks were also on tap. If you wanted to work on your basketball game, the mini b-ball section had you covered. Or, if you were eyeing something to take home, you could head to the mini-claw machine and try your hand at pulling up a cuddly toy for yourself. You may have even been one of the lucky six attendees who won a £300 Deliveroo voucher, £300 Eurostar voucher, £300 Wingstop voucher or £500 cash on top of your prizes (if you’re reading this, this writer is happy for you through gritted teeth!).

On the music front, Wingstop UK delivered in a big way. DJ AAA served up a healthy dose of rap to whet the appetite of the crowd while they whetted their appetite with some chicken and chips. Grime royalty entered the chat next when D Double E served up his classics; he needs no introduction, and it’s impossible not to be hooked in by his sheer charisma on stage. D Double performed anthems like “Street Fighter Riddim”, “Frontline” and “Birds In The Sky” as he let the crowd know exactly why he’s one of the greatest to touch a microphone.

Just when you thought he couldn’t deliver more, the cavalry arrived: D Double brought out fellow living legends Chip, Frisco and Scorcher. Off the back of the recently released “Grime Scene Saviours” featuring all four, the quartet—backed by rap princess Cristale—went back to basics, with AG throwing out eternal dubs for the MCs to spray over. Instrumentals like Sir Spyro’s flip of Rebound X’s “Rhythm N Gash”, Dexplicit's “Pow! (Forward Riddim)” and Ruff Sqwad’s “Xtra” soundtracked a shelly cypher that the industrial, brick-laden decor of Village Underground took in its stride. Meanwhile, Cristale showed she’s no slouch, holding her own over grime riddims like she came up in pirate radio herself, alongside the OGs.

Then, the undeniable DJ AG pulled up to shine a light on the future of grime, giving the stage to Logan OLM and MiMi Mxnroe—a couple of new-age grime generals who sprayed with precision. Re-emphasising his community-led focus to give a voice to the voiceless, he gave us a further peek into the modern era of a sound that’s influenced us all. DJ AG’s TikTok livestreams have been a revelation in 2024, bringing the essence of pirate radio forward and in style while enlisting the entire scene—veterans and all—to perform their best bars on his shows. Once the dust was settled on that movie, Tempa T burst on stage like an RKO from out of nowhere to run the immortal “Next Hype,” to give the crowd more energy than they knew they needed. The evening ramped up further when Tiffany Calver’s set began; with her BBC Radio 1 show and busy DJ schedule around the country, Calver is undeniably one of the finest spinners on these shores. She showcased her skills by spinning the finest rap, dancehall and Amapiano for an increasingly excited crowd.

Flavours took a detour to Manchester next with the arrival of Nemzzz. 2024 has truly been his breakout year, with a string of successful singles and work with the likes of Headie One, K-Trap and Lil Yachty. With Leeds-based DJ Dman on spinning duties—holding his own among some giants of UK DJ culture—Nemzzz played a composed set whizzing through his catalogue, including his Do Not Disturb project released earlier in the year. Striding along the Village Underground stage with poise, he kept the crowd in a trance as he showcased his raw and promising talent.

The night was a triumph, speaking to Wingstop UK’s dedication to the grassroots and building communities from the ground up. Its celebrations proved a taster of UK music and culture’s potential to reach new heights with the help of brands that align with it. “From a thoughtfully curated lineup to top-tier venue production, every detail was crafted to reflect our brand’s values,” says Dirujan Sabesan, Wingstop UK’s Chief Marketing Officer. “This event encapsulated our commitment to community, culture, and the importance of giving back, while creating a space that truly elevated the essence of what we stand for.” See you at the next one!