01Profile
A Rivah Photo
Rivah
DJ — London
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Rivah, South London born and raised.
Describe your style in three words?
Depends. On. Day.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Kendrick Lamar at Camden Electric, 2012. It was his first show in London, 'Good Kid, M.A.A.D City' hadn’t been released yet so the setlist was compiled of songs solely from 'Section 80' and 'Overly Dedicated'. Which was amazing because I knew of course, as soon as his debut album did drop, there’d be no time for a lot of his earlier material during shows. So this felt kind of special. Plus, towards the end of the night he took a few requests from the crowd - when does that ever happen?
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
The Wailers and The Isley Brothers.
I’d just be floating the entire time.
Which Subcultures have influenced you?
UKG has always been a major influence. It was cool to look like you spent time and effort on your outfit, it was cool to dance all night and give it your all. It was homegrown and sexy.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Prince Rogers Nelson, becaaaause Prince Rogers Nelson.
Of all the venues you’ve been to, which is your favourite?
Village Underground, Shoreditch. I’ve always appreciated the layout, its high ceilings and banging sound system - it's like a playground.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
The Illersapiens. A group from Brixton, who were honestly like nothing you had ever heard at the time. They held a night upstairs at The Ritzy called ’Soul Jam’ and it was such an enriching experience. They created music that perfectly encapsulated the true essence of South London.
With an encyclopedic knowledge of all things R'n'B, Rivah has established herself on the London scene with her peerlessly smooth track selections.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
Jon B - 'They Don’t Know'.
I specifically remember the intro playing over and over and over and over - no idea who I was crushing on at the time but, I was feeling it. Whew.
A song that defines the teenage you?
Giggs - 'Talkin’ The Hardest'
One record you would keep forever?
Bob Marley - 'Waiting In Vain'
A song lyric that has inspired you?
“I’ve got life, I've got my freedom
I've got life
I've got the life
And I'm going to keep it
I've got the life”
Nina Simone - 'Ain’t Got No, I Got Life'
A song you wished you had written?
Most recently, Alex Isley - 'I Know There Was Love'.
I think it’s stunning and recounts the ending of a relationship in the most graceful of ways. Even with all the hope and openness to change, things can't always be kept together and people drift apart. BUT at the end of the day, there was love, which is unmatched. That’s beautiful.
Best song to turn up loud?
Future - 'March Madness'
(LOUUUUUUUUUD AF).
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
Lady Antebellum - 'Need You Now'
(Not even like, I LOVE this song haha).
The song to get you straight on the dance floor?
Bucie - 'Get Over It'
Best song to end an all-nighter?
Buju Banton ft Wayne Wonder - 'Bonafide Love'
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
Phony Ppl - They’re not new but they were the last band whose journey I stumbled upon early on and was obsessed with instantly.
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Rivah, South London born and raised.
Describe your style in three words?
Depends. On. Day.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Kendrick Lamar at Camden Electric, 2012. It was his first show in London, 'Good Kid, M.A.A.D City' hadn’t been released yet so the setlist was compiled of songs solely from 'Section 80' and 'Overly Dedicated'. Which was amazing because I knew of course, as soon as his debut album did drop, there’d be no time for a lot of his earlier material during shows. So this felt kind of special. Plus, towards the end of the night he took a few requests from the crowd - when does that ever happen?
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
The Wailers and The Isley Brothers.
I’d just be floating the entire time.
Which Subcultures have influenced you?
UKG has always been a major influence. It was cool to look like you spent time and effort on your outfit, it was cool to dance all night and give it your all. It was homegrown and sexy.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Prince Rogers Nelson, becaaaause Prince Rogers Nelson.
Of all the venues you’ve been to, which is your favourite?
Village Underground, Shoreditch. I’ve always appreciated the layout, its high ceilings and banging sound system - it's like a playground.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
The Illersapiens. A group from Brixton, who were honestly like nothing you had ever heard at the time. They held a night upstairs at The Ritzy called ’Soul Jam’ and it was such an enriching experience. They created music that perfectly encapsulated the true essence of South London.
With an encyclopedic knowledge of all things R'n'B, Rivah has established herself on the London scene with her peerlessly smooth track selections.
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
Jon B - 'They Don’t Know'.
I specifically remember the intro playing over and over and over and over - no idea who I was crushing on at the time but, I was feeling it. Whew.
A song that defines the teenage you?
Giggs - 'Talkin’ The Hardest'
One record you would keep forever?
Bob Marley - 'Waiting In Vain'
A song lyric that has inspired you?
“I’ve got life, I've got my freedom
I've got life
I've got the life
And I'm going to keep it
I've got the life”
Nina Simone - 'Ain’t Got No, I Got Life'
A song you wished you had written?
Most recently, Alex Isley - 'I Know There Was Love'.
I think it’s stunning and recounts the ending of a relationship in the most graceful of ways. Even with all the hope and openness to change, things can't always be kept together and people drift apart. BUT at the end of the day, there was love, which is unmatched. That’s beautiful.
Best song to turn up loud?
Future - 'March Madness'
(LOUUUUUUUUUD AF).
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
Lady Antebellum - 'Need You Now'
(Not even like, I LOVE this song haha).
The song to get you straight on the dance floor?
Bucie - 'Get Over It'
Best song to end an all-nighter?
Buju Banton ft Wayne Wonder - 'Bonafide Love'
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
Phony Ppl - They’re not new but they were the last band whose journey I stumbled upon early on and was obsessed with instantly.