Trillary Banks, Team Salut and Afro B select their bank holiday essentials.
It’s that time of year again. Get your glad rags on, rum punch at the ready and hold on to your bladder for Notting Hill Carnival weekend.
With Wonderland HQ nestled amongst Notting Hill’s pastel-hued houses, we can confirm it’s pretty chill. But this bank holiday it’s about to get a lot more hectic.
If you’ve not been, or have but don’t remember much, expect a vibrant, loud and proud celebration of Carribean culture. A stellar line-up of music, floats and food. The best after-parties of the summer. Just really, really good vibes.
In preparation, Red Bull Music lent us three artists from their dreamy dancehall, Afro bashment and UK Afrobeats lineup, headlined by dancehall legend Popcaan. Together, they’ve put together the ultimate pre-Carnival playlist to get everyone well and truly in the mood – you’re welcome.
Catch Trillary Banks, Team Salut and Afro B at the Red Bull Sound System and until then, check out their picks below.
Trillary Banks
Trillary Banks knows what bangs. Dancehall rapper and Carnival regular, the Leicester-born MC’s a certified good-time gal with all the right credentials for kicking off a good party. We’re taking notes.
Konshens – “Bruk Off Yuh Back”
I love dancing to this song. You can’t even have a carnival without playing this tune.
Elephant Man – “Pon di River”
For me, this song defined Elephant Man’s career – it really had everybody up and dancing when it dropped.
Trillary Banks Feat. Inch – “Pepper & Spice”
As an artist who always goes to Carnival, you always hope that one day you make a song that everyone wants to hear there. So many people tell me they can’t wait to hear this at Carnival, so I’m really excited to hear it on them big bass bins!
Team Salut
Mista Wood, GKP and Sidechain Manny make up Afrowave group Team Salut. Mixing rap with R&B influences, gospel and West African pop, the production trio’s niche sound is pretty much made for Carnival and we can’t wait to hear them live.
Munga – “Wine Pon It”
My personal favourite for house parties good vibes. This song always has people up and ready to whine!
Mavado – “So Special”
Another good vibe song and a classic sing along. If a float drops this at the right time, it’s got to be lit.
Square One – “Faluma”
One of the oldest Soca tunes I know. No idea what the words mean but it’ll always get me moving, along with the rest of the crowd.
Afro B
Abfo B’s taken the Afrowave scene by storm. Best known for his hit “Drogba (Joanna)”, prepare to completely lose all vocal capacity shouting the name back to him. Serving tunes you can’t help but dance to, the South Londoner’s blend of hip-hop, dancehall and Afrobeat melodies will be doing the rounds all weekend.
Sister Nancy – “Bam Bam”
A timeless track that still gets everyone going to this day.
Sean Paul Feat. Sasha – “I’m Still In Love With You”
Sets the mood from the intro, and just gives good vibes throughout the track.
Vybz Kartel – “Tun Up The F**k”
This is one of the first songs that introduced me to Vybz Kartel and made me a fan of the Dancehall wave.
