We chat to the guys behind London’s pioneering queer hip-hop night
Queer hip-hop nights are HUGE now, as are queer hip-hop stars (Hey Mykki Blanco, hey LE1F, hey Kiddy Smile, hey Will Smith).
But that wasn’t always the case – in fact, in London terms at least, it could be said R & She was quite the trailblazer. When she stomped into East London in 2012, there wasn’t much like it around.
Little surprise then that she was a HIT. It cemented itself pretty quickly as one of the scene’s most recognizable regular parties, with a fab fun crowd, major music and an electric atmosphere.
Seven years, several venues, and twenty (!) Rihanna singles later, we caught up with the R & She boys to find out more.
1) THE MUSIC
NEIL – The music!
MARCOS – Hands down that’s what people rave about and what we focus on.
DAVID – The singalongs!
MARCOS – We as DJs are all about the music. The party is constructed around that and it then attracts a crowd who are equally all about the music. This shared passion unites us and helps make the party what it is.
NEIL – R & She was borne first and foremost out of a love for old school R&B and Hip-Hop – and beyond!
DAVID – As it’s such a focused music policy it means that we get to dig deeper into the tracks we play, as well as playing some of the more obvious bangers. Our crowd are generally up for a bit of a surprise, so we have almost 30 years of incredible music to dig from.
NEIL – The music is the thing that unites us as DJs with the crowd. The best atmosphere always comes when the music is the focus.
2) THE CROWD
DAVID – We have an incredible mix of people who come to the night. It really connects such a diverse mix of people who are all there because they love this music, and they want to feel the love and passion that the music inspires in those people who come. It’s such a positive vibe at every party.
NEIL – We have a loyal crowd that come for exactly the same music that both we and they love.
MARCOS – We as DJs can provide a great score to your nightlife but the vibe of the party is supplied by the party goers attending. We are blessed to have a super friendly warm queer core crowd who have been dedicated to providing a great atmosphere over the past 7 years.
NEIL – We always get comments on how we have such a friendly crowd. And again, I think it’s because we’re all united by the music. It’s not a night geared towards how you look or how you dress or who you want to pull.
3) THE MESSAGE
DAVID – As the artists we play and focus on are some of the most talented women in music, we’re able over the course of the night to really celebrate the viewpoints and messages that these women bring. It can feel so empowering for everyone who comes.
NEIL – Sticking to just female artists does away with so much of the misogynist male hip-hop/r&b that has far more focus on bragging about what you have and what you’ve earned and who you’ve fucked and la la la.
4) THE QUEENS WE’VE WORKED WITH
MARCOS – R & She have been so lucky over the years to have featured or supported some of our most treasured Queens. At Winterville, Mel Blatt of All Saints DJed a set and UK girl group M.O also featured at our 3rd birthday. We had DJ Spinderella of iconic group Salt-N-Pepa play for us at my birthday and then, thanks to the organisers of Mighty Hoopla, we had the opportunity to support and open for both En Vogue and TLC. All very special moments for us and we feel very lucky to have worked alongside artists we’ve loved for years.
5) THE SUMMER PARTIES
MARCOS – Our first summer party at the Magic Roundabout some years back ran from day until night with people dancing in the sunlight. It was so amazing and we’ve done one every year since somewhere.
NEIL – Following the Magic Roundabout’s closure last year we took it to the Cause in Costa Del Tottenham, complete with a pool!
MARCOS – I love a day party and the R & She vibe is perfect for it! I also get a bit more opportunity to play a few more slow jams and soulful grooves earlier in the day before we hit the floorfiller hits later. I do love a slow jam!
NEIL – Yeah there’s something special in a different way to playing outdoors. I love it. And it doesn’t happen enough in this country due to our unpredictable weather. Which takes us to…
6) THE INTERNATIONAL PARTIES
NEIL – Last year we played one of the stages at Amsterdam’s Mikshake Festival, which was a brilliant, magical afternoon with the sun beating down. I never dreamed at the start that our little themed party would end up going international! For the past few years we’ve thrown R & She parties regularly in Berlin, joining forces with Berlin based talent such as Tchuani of Berries and drag DJ royalty, Destiny Drescher.
DAVID – Plus we have our NYC residency at C’Mon Everybody and recently launched in L.A. with a party at The Lash!
7) CHARITY
NEIL – We all feel it’s important to give something back and our party allows us to raise funds and increase awareness for charities close to our hearts. Proceeds of previous parties have gone to the likes of Black Lives Matter, He For She and Women’s Aid, to name but three.
FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE NEVER BEEN – DESCRIBE THE VIBE
MARCOS – Imagine a playlist of every amazing R&B and hip hop song since 1990 that you love – but without any male artists. Then add in a sweaty, friendly, all-singing all-dancing mixed queer crowd of people who love every song as much as you. Put them in a room together and there you have it. R & She magic
DAVID – The vibe is pure sweaty, cheeky, saucy, inclusive, no bullshit, ass on the floor, arms in the air, winking at the hottie, going home with the hottie, singing with your best friend, soaking up the love and fierceness… JOY.
NEIL – Just a joyous celebration of uplifting music. It’s exactly what we need right now.
WHAT CAN WE EXPECT ON THE NIGHT?
MARCOS – The main room will of course be our all night dedication to the Queens Of Hip-Hop And R&B playing 90s classics to brand new hits including Cardi B, Mariah Carey, Stefflon Don, Salt-N-Pepa, Aaliyah, Rihanna, Missy Elliott and of course Beyoncé and those other children of Destiny…
NEIL – Room 2 is hosted by We Love Pop and they’ll be sticking with the all-female theme and doing the Princesses Of Pop. Think Ariana, Britney, Katy, Kylie, Madonna, Shakira…
DAVID – Room 3 is hosted by R & She regulars DJ Misty B and DJ Chillz. Both are super skilled in Afrobeats, Bashment and Dancehall with alternative remixes and mash-ups.
MARCOS – With 3 different rooms and no work on Monday there is nowhere else you should be this Bank Holiday Sunday!
R & She 7th Birthday is this Sunday 5th May at Heaven Nightclub, 9 The Arches, WC2N 6NG. 10pm – 5am.