If you're going to Notting Hill Carnival on Sunday, the chances are you'll find yourself at the Deviation and Killerwatt sound system, which brings the vibes of one of London's coolest club nights to the streets of West London.
Deviation was founded by Benji B and Judah Afriyie in 2007. It played a part in a pioneering chapter in London's club and music scenes, where a burgeoning Hessle Audio was on the rise, and Plastic People was hosting some of the best club nights in the UK capital.
How did it all start?
Deviation's foundations were laid in the club when Benji was behind the decks and Judah was MCing – a spontaneous meeting that would bring the two together. The first Deviation club night was held at The Gramophone in Shoreditch (RIP), and took place on Wednesday nights, separating the music heads from the weekend warriors. It set itself apart from the pack with its curated genre-spanning lineups, which have seen James Blake, Travis Scott, Moodyman, and Sampha take to the decks.
Building on his formative '90s club experiences, Benji took inspiration from Metalheadz, the legendary drum and bass label founded by Kemistry & Storm and Goldie, an experience he has previously described as "the most intense commitment to excellence in music." This commitment is seen in his own output, where he aims to bless club-goers with new music, opening them up to new music each time he's behind the decks. That's not to say Benji is banger-averse, as anyone who's had the pleasure of seeing him perform at Notting Hill Carnival can confirm.
This passion and unique approach that means Deviation continues to shape music culture around the world. Basically, if it's Deviation, you can guarantee it will be really, really good.
Notting Hill Carnival
Deviation club nights don't happen as often as they used to, but there's one place you can guarantee to see Benji and Judah behind the decks: Notting Hill Carnival. A highlight of many Carni goers' weekends, Deviation teams up with Killawatt Sound System to take over the junction between Tavistock & St Luke's Road in Notting Hill, treating us to eight hours of genre-spanning sickness.
In a video posted on Deviation's Insta, Benji shared his first experience of Carni, describing it as "inspiring, exciting, [and] overwhelming," adding that it is "unlike anything else." And when you deep it, Deviation at Carni makes a lot of sense, with its eclectic anything-goes sounds bringing people together on the streets – it’s perfect for the celebration.
Beyond music
Deviation blossomed from a club night to a full-on cultural powerhouse, stemming from the community spirit it pioneered. With its belter lineups previously including A$AP Rocky, Kaytranada, Travis Scott, and Virgil Abloh, Deviation has made waves across the fashion industry. In 2019, Abloh tapped Benji B as Music Director for Louis Vuitton, where he oversaw show scores and music collaborations, serving as a testament to Deviation's collaborative and community spirit.
Music has always influenced how we dress, with clothing offering a sense of belonging based on our shared interests. Deviation doubles down on this through merch collaborations with labels like Patta and Stüssy, tapping into streetwear's symbiotic relationship with music. Through these link-ups, Deviation translates its signature blend of club culture into a visual design language destined for the dancefloor and nails it every time.
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