The Heatwave is a dancehall sound system and production crew from London.[1][2] They have performed at clubs and festivals worldwide since 2003, and produced and released music since 2004.[3][4]

The Heatwave
OriginBristol, England
GenresDancehall
Years active2003 – present
LabelsHeat Wax, Soul Jazz Records
Websitetheheatwave.co.uk

Biography edit

The Heatwave, a collective founded by Gabriel Myddelton, comprises DJs, MCs and dancers and are known for their wild parties and informative radio shows.[5][6] They draw together music from Jamaica and England[7] and work to highlight the importance of dancehall in the UK.[5][4] The Heatwave's compilations and mixes have shown how dancehall is at the root of British club music genres like jungle, garage, grime, dubstep and funky house.[8][9]

The Heatwave started out as dancehall promoters, advertising their east London parties with fly posters and selling 7" vinyl records out the boot of Gabriel's car.[10] They presented Rinse FM’s only dancehall show when the station was still a pirate, and their Hot Wuk nights take place across the UK.[10]

Production edit

The Heatwave's 2017 single 'Walk Out Gyal' featuring Mr Lexx & Keida was nominated for Track of the Year at Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide Awards.[11] Their 2018 release 'Closer To Me' featuring Stylo G was chosen by Toddla T as his Coldest Record on BBC Radio 1Xtra.[12]

The Heatwave have been known for remixing hit songs in a dancehall style ever since the 2004 release of Trick Me Twice, which blended Trick Me by Kelis with dancehall vocalists Beenie Man and T.O.K.[13] In 2011, they remixed Jamie xx's remix of Adele's hit 'Rolling In The Deep', adding vocals by Cecile, Mr Lexx and Timberlee.[14][15] The Heatwave have also remixed tracks by artists such as TNGHT,[16] Mosca,[17] Popcaan[18] Stylo G.[19]

Live Shows edit

The Heatwave appear regularly at Notting Hill Carnival[20] and in August 2016 they hosted a carnival sound system alongside Different Strokes and Island Records.[21] They have performed at festivals such as Glastonbury, SXSW, Boomtown, Outlook, Bestival and Lovebox[1][22][23] and have supported Sean Paul at concerts in London and Bristol.[24][25]

Hot Wuk edit

The Heatwave launched their Hot Wuk party in 2009 and were joined soon after by resident DJ and UK garage producer Sticky.[2][26] From 2012, the Hot Wuk parties began to tour multiple cities around the UK, including Bristol, Leeds, Nottingham, Manchester, Birmingham, Brighton, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Southampton, and Bournemouth.[8][27][28]

Hot Wuk parties are known for high energy live performances, dance crews, whistles and horns, warm and cheerful crowds, carnival trucks, MCs and DJs, and raucous behaviour.[8][29][30][7] The London parties have been held in venues such as KOKO,[31] Kentish Town Forum,[32] Electric Brixton,[8] Oval Space,[33] East Village,[30] The Social,[7] and Electric Ballroom.

Showtime edit

In June 2011, The Heatwave organised and promoted an event called Showtime. The show featured MCs such as General Levy, Wiley, Skibadee, Glamma Kid, Stylo G, Lady Leshurr, Stush, YT, Mr Williamz, Lady Chann, Asher Senator, Riko Dan, Flowdan, Serocee, and Rubi Dan sharing the microphone in sound system style.[34] It was recorded and made into a DVD by Rollo Jackson featuring live performances and in-depth interviews that chart an oral history of UK dancehall.[35][36]

The crew took the Showtime concept to Birmingham in June 2012 with a line-up that included Gappy Ranks, Rodney P, Top Cat, Durrty Goodz, Serocee, Lady Leshurr, RoxXxan, Juki Ranx, RTKAL, Vital, and Rubi Dan.[37][38]

In June 2019, Showtime returned for a month-long residency at The Jazz Café in London.[39] The events told the story of dancehall in the UK across four decades, featuring MCs and DJs such as Tippa Irie, Ragga Twins, Horseman, Trevor Sax, Top Cat, Sweetie Irie, Glamma Kid, Victor V, Stush, Maxwell D, Bushkin, Sticky, Lisa Mercedez, Mr Williamz, J Kaz, and Sir DJ Corey.[40][1]

Radio & Compilations edit

The Heatwave have been resident on Rinse FM since 2009[28][17] and host a quarterly show on NTS Radio.[41] They appear regularly as guests on BBC 1Xtra shows[42][43][44] and have also held two residencies on the station's Xtra Talent series.[45][46]

In 2008, The Heatwave compiled 'An England Story' for Soul Jazz Records.[17] Their 2013 compilation 'Gyal Power', focusing on female dancehall MCs, was favourably reviewed by The Guardian, NME and Independent.[3][47][48]

Selected discography edit

  • An England Story: The Culture of the MC in the UK 1984-2008 – Soul Jazz Records, 2008
  • Things Change ft Warrior Queen – Soul Jazz Records, 2008
  • Mind How You Talk ft Riko Dan – The Heatwave, 2008
  • War Dance ft Serocee – Scattermusic, 2012
  • Stopwatch ft K More – Heat Wax, 2017
  • London City ft Ding Dong – Heat Wax, 2017
  • Walk Out Gyal ft Mr Lexx & Keida – Heat Wax, 2017
  • Closer To Me ft Stylo G – Heat Wax, 2018
  • Tun Ova ft Tippa Irie – Heat Wax, 2018
  • Frontline ft Vanessa Bling – Heat Wax, 2019

External links edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "Listen to The Heatwave's dancehall celebration Showtime (Buss Di Champagne)". Red Bull. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b Bernard, Jesse (21 June 2019). "UK dancehall: an oral history". Red Bull. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  3. ^ a b Collins, Hattie (18 July 2013). "Meet the female MCs bringing 'gyal power' to dancehall". the Guardian. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  4. ^ a b Roper, Tamara (18 December 2013). "The Heatwave's Top Ten Dancehall Tracks of the Decade". Noisey / VICE. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Dancehall collective Heatwave talk us through the art of the house party". the Guardian. 7 October 2011. Archived from the original on 28 January 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  6. ^ "British Dancehall DJ Gabriel Heatwave on the Politics of Jamaican Music | Bashment Vibes". Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  7. ^ a b c "Welcome to Jamaica, London – The Heatwave and Jamaican club culture in London". Time Out London. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  8. ^ a b c d "Hot Wuk gets the summer party started". www.thenationalstudent.com. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  9. ^ Escobedo Shepherd, Julianne (14 May 2010). "Natalie Storm & Footsteps, "Play Di Ting (Heatwave Refix)" MP3". The FADER. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  10. ^ a b "The Heatwave pick five unstoppable Carnival tunes". Red Bull. 4 December 2016.
  11. ^ "WORLDWIDE AWARDS 2018 // THE WINNERS – Worldwide FM". Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  12. ^ "BBC Radio 1Xtra - DJ Target, Toddla T sits in for Target, Coldest Record: Heatwave - Closer To Me". BBC. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  13. ^ Banquet Records - Advent Calendar 14 - 2012, retrieved 30 November 2021
  14. ^ Banning, Tristan (12 May 2011). "Music: Adele/Jamie xx "Rolling in the Heat" (The Heatwave... | Sidewalk Hustle". Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  15. ^ Zeichner, Naomi (9 May 2011). "Adele + Jamie XX f. Ce'cile, Mr. Lexx and Timberlee, "Rolling in the Heat (The Heatwave Refix)" MP3". The FADER. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  16. ^ "Listen: TNGHT Riddim (The Heatwave Refix)". Clash Magazine. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  17. ^ a b c Anderson, Errol (15 March 2013). "The Heatwave Gave Us A Mixtape". Vice. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  18. ^ Kenner, Rob (5 January 2016). "HEAR THIS: Popcaan "Where We Come From" Heatwave Remix". Boomshots.
  19. ^ "Download The Heatwave's Carnival-ready refix of Stylo G's 'Call Mi a Yardie'". Fact Magazine. 21 August 2012. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  20. ^ "Summer sessions: The Heatwave's soundtrack to Notting Hill carnival". the Guardian. 21 August 2014. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  21. ^ "The Heatwave Talked Us Through the 10 Most Insane Jamaican Basslines Ever". www.vice.com. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  22. ^ McDermott, Patrick D. (10 March 2014). "Download The Heatwave's Texas Carnival Mixtape". The FADER. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  23. ^ "The Heatwave: International Showcase Fund". PRS for Music Foundation. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  24. ^ "Seyi Shay To Perform Alongside Sean Paul Tonight In London". Naijaloaded | Nigeria's Most Visited Music & Entertainment Website. 13 September 2016. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  25. ^ "What Could It Be | Jaguar Records". 9 August 2020. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  26. ^ "Hot Wuk". Time Out London. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  27. ^ "The Heatwave presents Hot Wuk Birmingham - Party". eventsget.com. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  28. ^ a b "The Heatwave presents Hot Wuk Bristol". Thekla Bristol. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  29. ^ "Hot Wuk - Concorde 2". www.concorde2.co.uk. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  30. ^ a b "Hot Wuk". DesignMyNight. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  31. ^ "Carnival 2014: Hot Wuk Truck Party". Time Out London. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  32. ^ Keith, James (23 August 2017). "Premiere: This Blazing 58-Track Mix From The Heatwave Is Essential For Your Carnival Warm-Up". Complex. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  33. ^ "The Heatwave presents Hot Wuk: London - Beach Party! | Oval Space". ovalspace.co.uk. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  34. ^ "The Heatwave Presents – SHOWTIME - The History Of UK Dancehall Live On Stage | Sounds of the Universe". soundsoftheuniverse.com. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  35. ^ Bleep. "Various Artists - The Heatwave Presents: SHOWTIME - The History Of UK Dancehall Live On Stage (DVD). Bleep". Bleep. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  36. ^ "The Heatwave Presents: Showtime! The History Of UK Dancehall Live On Stage DVD". shop.oogaboogastore.com. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  37. ^ Dummy. "The Heatwave interview: "Full carnival."". DummyMag. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  38. ^ "SHOWTIME! // BIRMINGHAM EDITION". Eventbrite. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  39. ^ "The Heatwave: Showtime - 4 Decades Of UK Dancehall". See Tickets. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  40. ^ "Showtime: 4 Decades Of UK Dancehall · Overview · Promoter ⟋ RA". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  41. ^ Radio, N. T. S. "The Heatwave". NTS Radio. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  42. ^ Dummy. "Dummy Mix 337 // The Heatwave". DummyMag. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  43. ^ "BBC Radio 1Xtra - MistaJam, The Heatwave 60 Minutes of Xtra Talent, 60 Minutes of The Heatwave". BBC. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  44. ^ "BBC Radio 1Xtra - Seani B, Kiko Bun & The Heatwave, Heatwave in the Art of Juggling Mix". BBC. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  45. ^ "BBC Radio 1Xtra - Dancehall with Robbo Ranx, Runthrough of Gyptian's New Album, Xtra Talent with The Heatwave". BBC. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  46. ^ "BBC Radio 1Xtra - Dancehall with Robbo Ranx, Reggae Sumfest Special, Gabriel Heatwave - Xtra Talent". BBC. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  47. ^ "The Playlist: Clean Bandit / Earl Sweatshirt / The Vaccines". The Independent. 25 July 2013. Archived from the original on 18 June 2022. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  48. ^ Jones, Lucy (16 July 2013). "Listen - The Heatwave Release Stereotype-Challenging 'Gyal Power' Mix". NME. Retrieved 30 November 2021.