Published
Fri, Aug 19, 2011, 10:00
- The underground is coming up, and hip-hop comes under fire in this week's column.
In last month's movers and shakers column, it was necessary to take a long-term look (viewed over the last five years rather than just 2011) to identify emerging trends on the island. A blinkered look at the first month or so simply doesn't reveal enough. Based solely on that, we could just say that "Cocoon (and the rest) are rammed. End of story." Now that we're closing in on the end of the season, though, some things about 2011 are finally becoming clear.
Making Waves
Kehakuma (Thursday at Space) has emerged as an island party on the rise. After a couple of years of stellar lineups that take in a wealth of underground house and techno luminaries such as Nick Curly and Jamie Jones, the party has fairly exploded in August, hitting 5,000 attendees in the process. Admittedly, Space have adopted a free guestlist policy for the party, ensuring that the large Discoteca—hosted by Wet Yourself!—has been busy and the Terraza has been mobbed. But don't be fooled by that concept ensuring big numbers. It's a well-used trick on the island, but with such fierce competition and quality around these days, free entrance doesn't guarantee a party. What's more important is that it has become a bit of a regular haunt of the island underground glitterati, the ultimate sign that it's somewhere cool and en vogue.
Dangerous Waves
It may have been relatively successful in terms of numbers, but there is a real backlash surrounding the arrival of numerous hip-hop and R&B artists to the island this year. The occasional PA appearance by will.i.am or P. Diddy in previous summers has escalated to full live shows by Snoop Dogg (twice), 50 Cent, Usher and performances by Ludacris, Busta Rhymes and Sean Paul. The feeling is that despite the island's values of freedom and tolerance, gangster rap is one step too far and is, in many ways, the antithesis of what Ibiza represents. This isn't just disgruntled competitor nights annoyed at the heavyweight arrivals. The island's leading DJs and guardians have been vocal in their defense of a perceived threat to the status quo as well.
Hot Waves
The name on everyone's lips in Ibiza this year, though? Jamie Jones. In 2011, he's added gigs at Cocoon and Kehakuma to his burgeoning Circoloco residency at DC-10. Earlier this month, he stole the show at Sasha's Never Say Never party at Ushuaia and then returned the next day to outshine the generally commercial dross surrounding him at the Radio 1 live event—again at Ushuaia. He's a regular at villa parties and afterparties too. Basically, everyone wants a piece of him. I've rarely seen an artist on the underground scene have photos requested so often.
More than anything, his music is the sound of the island—his own productions, his remixes, the artists he's supporting through his record labels. Whether it be the crossover tracks like "Forward Motion," his remix of "Hungry for the Power" or even just the whole Hot Creations back catalogue, it's undeniable at the moment. While it might not be a surprise to many—especially given Jones' long history on the island—it does represent a significant move forward for an artist from a new generation. This can only be a good thing, as there hasn't been a breakthrough like this since Luciano and Loco Dice a few years ago.