Kikelomo
DJ | Presenter | Host
Imagine the genres of bass, UKG, house, techno, trap, jungle, DnB, breaks, footwork and a heap of dance-worthy sounds being thrown into a Tupperware before sliding into a cake tin and banged into the oven at 180 degrees. How did we get here in the first place? Ask Kikelomo, who re-shared this iconic video a few weeks ago which sums up her sound as a DJ.
The London-born artist flits through a motley of genres. Listening to her sessions on HÖR, Rinse FM, Leisure System and her monthly show on Cashmere Radio, Kikelomo seems to be on a mission to pluck her audience out of their comfort zone and push them into a pool of reverberating sonic intensity. With a strong connection to her Nigerian roots, you can occasionally feel the warmth of West African sunshine fizz from the decks before she swiftly swerves back to UK breaks or clattering jungle, as is her style of selecting. You just don’t know what you’re going to get.
When clubs do eventually open, you’ll likely find Kikelomo returning to play in Berghain’s Säule, OXI, ://about blank and Trauma Bar amongst others but for now, the wait continues. Looking back to a moment which many DJs may be familiar with at this point — setting up a live stream — Kikelomo talks about how the last year has given her ample time to reflect and re-evaluate. She also shines a light on the creative buzz emanating from the city of Accra in Ghana at the moment, what changes she hopes for in the electronic music scene post-pandemic and lots more…
Lit 💥
Where was this photo taken and why did you choose it? What was the music vibe at the time?
This pic is a screenshot from a video of my friend @auco_co and I were recording a bass themed DJ set for Beatport at home. The whole day was lovely in the lead up to the recording, and for me going B2B with someone is an almost sacred form of connection. It was an amazing session, and one of my favourite sets this year so far. ☺️
How have you been over the last while and what is life currently like in Berlin?
I won’t lie, the beginning of this year was a struggle. 😫After a brief stint in the hospital at the very end of 2020, January was spent recovering, healing both physical wounds and emotional. Although I think 2020 was not what anyone expected, it was definitely a year in which I reflected, discovered and found peace. I want to build on these this year, but I definitely struggle with cold and darkness in the winter (yes, in spite of growing up in the UK — but Berlin winters hit different!!!).
The lack of clubs on top of the lack of social interaction took its toll, but I’m grateful for the space and options we have in Berlin. I was also lucky enough to make an escape to Ghana in February and part of March, which was truly the trip of a lifetime. There is so much going on there in the creative scenes — art, music, fashion…I truly believe Accra is going to be one of the world's major cultural hubs in the next 5-10 years. This trip really re-inspired me and gave me the drive to start new projects for the year, because before this, I was supremely unmotivated. I'm just glad the weather is getting better in Berlin, I just hope we can get this vaccine nonsense sorted out!
As a DJ, you're known for sharing an amalgam of sounds from hip-hop, house, trap, UKG, jungle, techno and so much more. What kind of tracks or artists are you currently rinsing at the moment?
Jungle/DNB/Breaks is one of my go-to genres, always and forever. 💜There’s nothing like a crunchy break to keep you going when times are low. I’m really loving @borai_bristol’s new release on @clubglowtapes, as well as the babe @yazzus__'s release on Steel City Dance Discs.
I’m also rediscovering my love for techno at the moment — @Platform22_ has some fantastic releases under their belt.
After my trip in Ghana, I’ve definitely been indulging in the amapiano wave that’s taken over the continent too. @djrazzlerman just put out a fantastic EP.
Finally, @theoriginalperception’s March release on @TimehriRecords blew me away — perfect for the UKG heads who love a bit of groove.
As the UK gets ready for a summer of events from June 21st (fingers crossed), hopefully, the events sector around the rest of the world can move forward too at some point this year. What would you like to see different in the music industry once we eventually emerge on the other side of this pandemic?
Firstly, more focus on community — that’s what I get the most from music, that feeling of connection from other people. That’s where the roots of most music lay — communities coming together in safe spaces to revel and celebrate free from judgement or oppression, even for a fleeting moment. I would love to see that be the central focus of the industry, not just money and clout. Put more upcoming artists on line ups, not just the headliners that have been around for a minute!
Secondly, more collaboration — I see so many overlaps in vision between the different scenes (and industries) I intersect, I would love to see people talking to each other more and realising these visions together.
I would also love to see the music industry really following through on some of their commitments to diversity and inclusion that were made at the height of the BLM movement last year.
Let's fantasize for a moment. Everything in Berlin is open and Covid-19 is nothing but a distant memory. What's the first thing you'd do and more importantly, where would you like to DJ and have a dance, and who would you bring along to stay out until sunrise?
Go for a big fat brunch with my friends, with an unnecessary amount of food and pure good vibes. After we’ve had a chance to digest, I would love to head out to play at a day-to-night-to-day rave — location doesn’t matter, as long as the sound system bangs and the energy from the crowd is ecstatic. All are welcome to join me on this adventure, bring snacks!
Back to the present moment. Tell us how the photo below is something that brings you happiness or comfort in your day-to-day life right now?
This photo was taken in a friend's art studio in the back of a semi-abandoned luxury mall next to the Kempinski Hotel in Accra, Ghana. The pic was from earlier in March when I was lucky enough to be able to escape lockdown in Germany for a while, and this trip honestly changed my life.
The creative communities are thriving in the city and it was also thrilling experiencing to experience first hand the immense quality of the music (and other forms of art) that is being produced out there. The photo is of my friend Aseye (@truseye), a really talented producer and engineer. Together with him and a couple of other friends, we’re working on a project that we hope will really add to the cultural landscape of Ghana, and working on this community project is probably one of my sole sources of hope right now! 😊Stay tuned for more info in the coming months. 😉
Aseye✨Photo: Kikelomo