The curtain came down on the British summer in style as reggae legend Lee 'Scratch' Perry joined future sounds men Major Lazer – aka DJs Diplo and Switch – in Red Bull's London Studio before a host of exciting DJ talent, reggae legends and beautiful booty shakers came together under the Westway on Portobello Road as the Major Lazer Sound System stage rocked London's famous Notting Hill Carnival.
The day was forecast for rain but Buenos Aires-based tropical mixer, Douster brought the sunshine with a selection of booty bass joints and Baile funk. Red Bull Music Academy alumnus and dancehall mash up specialist Poirier jumped on the buttons to play a set that was perfect for the sunshine.
UK garage renaissance man Sticky killed it with joints like Lady Chan’s Sticky Situation, garage classics by MJ Cole and Lethal B’s, Pow. Sticky’s energetic set was matched by New Yorker Drop the Lime who played a mix of 50s jive swing and energetic bass music which saw Chuck Berry dancing toe to toe with Lime’s Sex Sax tune.
Another British DJ, Joker served up the tune of carnival, Katy B’s chart smash On A Mission. Joker got the crowd excited for the arrival of the original hype man, David Rodigan.
The gentleman rudeboy stole the show with his infectious energy. Sounding out everything from jungle, reggae to a custom dub plate of the haunting Breakage tune Hard featuring Newham Generals. When Rodigan drew for Major Lazer’s Pon De Floor drinks were flying as 1,500 ravers rocked out. David reached deep into the hearts of reggae lovers with a five minute tribute to Bob Marley. Completing the set with a sing-a-long to Johnny Cash’s Ring of Fire. This set was testament to why he has been in the game for over 30 years.
Headliners Major Lazer started their set with the UK funky smash I’m Fly by Donae'o, along with their remix of the Gyptian smash Hold Yuh. Things got dangerous when serial daggerer’ Skerrit Boy rushed the rig dancing and mcing to the sound of Vybz Kartel’s Clarks. The crescendo reached its peak when reggae legend Lee Scratch Perry took over the stage to the tune of their recent London Studio collaboration, and a live rendition of Perry’s cult classic Chase The Devil.
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