Erick the Architect is no stranger to blending boundaries when it comes to music. As one-third of Flatbush Zombies and member of the supergroup Beast Coast, Erick has spent the last decade producing, song-writing, and rapping a number of records with unmatched creativity. Refusing to be tied to any one sound, the Flatbush-native has an authentic energy that thrives off not fitting in. Erick sits down with Original Shift to talk about how his love for London culture inspired his latest solo EP, w

Tightly knit by a childhood bond and a shared love for music, Cooper and Darryl, the dynamic forces behind Y U QT, emerged as a duo in 2019. Mirroring the serendipity of their musical reunion after years apart, their cosmic-inspired name positions them as rising stars that have been reshaping the landscape of the UK club scene.

Although guided by the influential hand of garage DJ Riz La Teef, their musical style isn’t confined to just garage. It’s a blend of ambient pads, basslines, and rhythms from around the world, including melodies they borrow from everyday life. Since their first single, the pair has explored new sonic territories and delivered electrifying DJ sets across the nation.

Just earlier this year, the duo was met with one of their most exhilarating career highs, sparked by the track “Y’all Ready For Dis” going viral during Yung Singh’s Boiler Room set in Melbourne. Gearing up for another exciting year with new announcements on the horizon, we catch up with the pair to see just how they came into their success.

Calling in from their respective homes, the pair embody the infectious energy and laughter that fuels the production of their vibrant club sounds as soon as the call starts.

iagö navigates between sonic and visual realms as mediums to bring his creative essence to life. Translating a design-based approach to music and artistic creation, he finely balances the interplay of delicacy and disruption with authenticity and chaos to orchestrate his visceral projects. Primarily crafting his projects using analog hardware, he embraces the flaws and nuances intrinsic to the equipment. . He describes his hypersensitivity to minute details as both a blessing and a curse – in the realm of sonics, identifying the imperfections within a sound is his favourite part of the process. The result of his approach is distinct yet powerful auditory experiences characterised by drum and bass-infused tones, swaying between melodic peaks and troughs, all while telling a perfectly crafted sonic narrative. His videos equally visualise human fallibility and the journey to break free from internal angst and turmoil.

Ahead of his new EP release, Chemical Wedding, we sat down with Iagö and explored the intersections of his different disciplines, Chemical Wedding’s story and Benicio Del Toro.

For London-based artist Rasharn Powell, authentic and genuine expression is at the core of everything he creates. His current passion for multiple art forms emanates from his childhood, which he spent building make-shift furniture in his nan’s backyard and being in the recording studio with his uncle. Understanding the importance of hard work from a young age, Rasharn proved his dedication as a musician with the release of his debut mixtape earlier this year, titled Dusk & Dawn. A blend of R&B, Soul, and Hip Hop, Rasharn breaks down which of his lyrics convey his most intimate experiences, and what it means to express profound emotion through music. Original Shift’s Tayler Prince-Fraser sits down with Rasharn to chat about his aesthetic, his music, and his perspective on life in general.

Missing his chance to become a pro footballer may have been the best thing that happened for the South-London rapper, DC. Entering the scene in 2014, he’s since proven his versatility and commitment to his craft with each new project over the years. His retrospective references allude to his sincere approach to music. Along with candid lyrics and precise wordplay, this gives a glimpse into the mistakes he made growing up, and how they evolved into vital life lessons. Tracks like “Paro(noia),” “N

Few artists can blend the electric elements of punk with hip hop, rhythmic R&B, and soul with the same class and flair as LA-based Duckwrth. His sophomore album SuperGood, which is also the name of his creative studio, perfectly captured his ability to captivate his audience through vibrant words, melodies, and most importantly, visuals. Released amidst the chaos of 2020, the project was packaged as medicinal music for his listeners. Personifying happiness and spreading positivity, SuperGood was

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Laying the foundation for the new wave of UK Garage, pioneering producer and DJ, Conducta along with his grassroots label Kiwi Rekords are on a mission to revive the genre through a fresh perspective. Original Shift linked up with the Bristol-born artist as he takes us around his home studio where the magic happens as well as giving us a taster of what’s in store from his camp.

Responsible for bringing the sound to a plethora of current chart hits, Conducta has found success through his unique

British singer-songwriter and producer Fredwave has been a force in London’s music scene, weaving together an eclectic array of influences and constantly captivating his listeners. He was drawn to UK rap and Grime growing up, but it wasn’t until his debut single “Faith” that he unveiled a soundscape on his own, embarking on a new journey of self-discovery as a vocalist. As he prepares to release his forthcoming album, he talks about his deeply personal connection to music which allows him to express emotions without words, taking listeners on a profound journey through his life experiences. With a devoted following built through evocative singles and notable collaborations, Fredwave's impact on England's contemporary music landscape is undeniable, leaving us with the sense that he is only just scratching the surface of his true potential.

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When thinking about the meteoric rise of UK music and the figures that have helped push the sound, Kenny Allstar stands tall at the forefront. Influenced by the big personas of DJs from both sides of the pond, the South-East London native has a unique ear for talent which he uses to continually search for the next big thing – earning him the epithet “The Voice of the Streets.”

Jack Harper is shifting the narrative around fashion through his brand AELIZA, not by selling articles of clothing, but by offering a new mindset to people. Aiming to disrupt the typical consumer-producer relationship, AELIZA garments are much more than Harper’s designs brought to life, they are a study of the human on a quest towards freedom and a truthful existence. Exploring the question: “What does it mean to be a free individual?” AELIZA inspires its wearers to reflect on whether the answer

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When you think of UK music, not many artists can boast having as big an impact on the scene as D Double E. From getting reloads off adlibs alone, to dropping some of the most iconic tracks to hit the circuit, the East London native didn’t become your favourite MC’s, favourite MC overnight.



“Oh my word”, “Oeerr, Oeerr”, “It’s me, me” and “Budda Bup Bup” — are just some of the recognisable examples of his laid back flow, signature cadence and illustrious voice. Despite his immense contributio

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A born-and-bred Londoner, Jeshi is an artist whose relatable tracks take aim at the flaws of the inner-city through the lens of a new generation. His witty but hard-hitting lyrics are filled with introspection, penning his journey of navigating through the complexity of one of the largest cities in the world. Often humorously addressing the perils of society, his own issues and typical everyday struggles, he encapsulates his storytelling through vivid visuals which personify his words. Much like

What is the order of importance when designing a garment? Everything for me starts with fabric. Form follows fabric for me. I work closely with my fabric agent - he’s the best! Fabric is a never-ending journey but I know what I like when I see it. Silhouette is informed by my own references and ideas. Both require a certain amount of imagination and functional decision-making. Sometimes I will find a fabric I love and design a piece that allows the fabric to see its truest potential.

There’s a

Rasharn: Taking in all the influences from multiple different designers that I do love, like Hans Wegners, Marcel Breuer, and making sure that when it does come to that point, that I have a certain level of reference that I can then tap into. Ideally, within the next 5 years. It could be way sooner, which is probably why I said within. It needs to make sense within my brand, the trajectory of my career, and where it is that I see myself. But yeah, that’s definitely something that’s in the cards,

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Stepping out of a North-West London flat, Original Shift met with singer Col3trane, who had recently returned from LA. Walking down the residential road on route to his local dry cleaners, he fills us in on the heavy night he had the previous day as well as giving us a preview of his upcoming music video he shot a few weeks ago. Returning from our wander to the dry cleaners, we head back to the flat where Cole connects his phone to the speaker, and sets the mood for our conversation with him.

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Credited with being one the of the first black owned contemporary menswear retailers in the U.K., Hip Store is revered for being the first stop fashion destination for major subcultures since its inception in the 1980s. We caught up with its co-founder, Everton Campbell to discuss his journey, iconic relationships as well as how the evolution of subcultures, music, and racial dynamics played a pivotal role in helping build Hip Store’s DNA.

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With the hunt for vintage becoming ever more prominent, Dukes Cupboard -- a small independent store in the heart of London -- has been the go-to spot for sourcing the rarest pieces of vintage clothing and accessories for close to a decade. Stocking everything from high-fashion to one-off promotional pieces, Dukes have welcomed a plethora of renowned figures through their doors, most recently Bella Hadid. We visited founders Milo Harley and Ned Membery at their Soho store to get an insight into t