What Went Down at the Notion 94 Launch Party with Ellesse

Ellesse, Havana Club and Jäegermeister were on hand to help us celebrate the launch of N94 last week, as fans flocked to The Steel Yard for a night of live music, free drinks and feel-good vibes. Black Sherif, one of this issue’s cover stars, headlined the bill, bringing his highlife-inspired drill music to the Victorian railway arches.  

Amapiano flag bearers European305 set the tone with a selection of polyrhythmic blends, warming up the crowd on what was a cold Thursday night. It was then time for Birmingham model cum musician Miss Lafamilia, who provided an injection of attitude with her shuffling dancehall hits, taking the audience to the Caribbean and beyond.

Accompanied by two backup dancers, DEJA strutted on stage with an undeniable swagger, getting the audience to sing along to tracks like ‘Boom Boom Bah’. Opening up for Black Sherif is no easy task, but it was one she relished and comfortably made her own. The Ghanaian polymath showed why the likes of Burna Boy and Popcaan can’t get enough of him. His energy is infectious, his vocals as captivating live as on records, and the pulsating beats of hits like ‘Second Sermon’ filled the room with a giddy excitement.  

In between sets, Cloud X member and DJ JoJo brought some serious vibes to The Steel Yard, mixing edits of classic club tracks from a range of genres. Along with Havana Club and Jäegermeister, who served up ice-cold cocktails for guests and artists alike, she kept everyone two-stepping until close. 

Get an exclusive look below and order your copy of Notion 94 here.