I have a dream. I dream of a place where wining on strangers is actively encouraged, where white children and black children will make a human shield so that their mate can take a slash in the street, where middle-aged policemen will try and bump and grind to prove that they are huge fans of jerk chicken and girls in bodycon.
Oh wait. That utopia is coming to West London in just three days. So to get ready for Notting Hill Carnival 2013 we’ve put together some of the best carnival anthems of the last few months.
“Watch Out Fi Dis (Bumaye)” – Major Lazer ft. Busy Signal
Let’s start with the bait one. Guaranteed to be playing pretty much every time you turn a corner on Monday, just listening to this at my desk makes me want to down seven Red Stripes and go running through the streets of West London wearing nothing but glitter and buttcheek. Major Lazer have racked up a few carnival anthems in the last few years, but getting Signal’s “Watch Out Fi Dis” vocal on the track was inspired. Fuck me, is it Sunday yet?
“Differentology” – Bunji Garlin
Essentially a soca tune, but not in the 160 BPM epileptic fit way that you’re thinking, Bunji’s big hit from earlier this year sounds more like something you’d pump in your car before embarking on a string of senseless and indiscriminate drive-bys just for the lulz. This track missed out on Soca Monarch consideration back in Feburary, but has become a sleeper hit in Trinidad in the intervening months.
“Searching” – Redinho
This one is a bit of an underdog, but if UK bass music is going to nominate a prodigal to take on the swathes of bashment at Carnival, then we reckon they should pick Redinho. Searching sounds like scrunching up a K-hole and throwing it at a wall of sequins and percocet.
“Tun Up”- Jus Now
Jus Now have been pushing this incredible Trinidadian-influenced soca-bass hybrid for a while now but it’s showcased to perfection in Tun Up. The last time I heard it out, I pushed someone over trying to get to the front, so lord help you if you get between me and this tune on Monday.
“Flash” – Toddla T Sound
Toddla T celebrates his first carnival as a father the only way he knows how, with a line-up of aggressive bashment, hardened grime MCs and the best DJs in the game. “Flash” is this year’s super bait whistle tune – because what is carnival without girls in low-riders blowing like a P.E. teacher with a god complex – but it’s also one of his best cuts yet.
“The Thing” (Todd Edwards Mix) – Atumpan
The Thing has been doing the rounds for a couple of years now, but Todd the God’s remix has given it a makeover in time for the Bank Holiday. It keeps the tropical vibes of the original with the all essential carnival steel drum.
“D.M.X.” – Melé
This is a ridiculous concept that works way way better than you’d ever expect it to. Melé’s re-worked ” X Gon Give It To Ya”, stipping DMX’s lyrics and replacing them with sequenced steel pans.
“Shuub Out” – TOK
If you get through the weekend without hearing this you’ve bricked it in a big way. This tune is what carnival is all about. Seven foot Jamican guys daggering Kensington sixth-formers, showing up at some random person’s house party and staying till two in the afternoon the next day, paying three quid to take a shit in the back room of an Off Licence.
SEE YOU ON SUNDAY.
