Revelations

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In a triumphant London return, JAŸ-Z reminded us exactly why he is widely regarded as the greatest of all time on his JAŸ-Z 30 tour. Carrying the pulse of New York with him, H.O.V. took us on an awe-inspiring drive down memory lane to celebrate three decades of his debut album. “How many people in here have been down since day one? This album changed my life thirty years ago, and hopefully some of these words touch you,” he tells the crowd. Thirty years on from Reasonable Doubt, you still can’t knock his hustle.

His first solo tour in nine years featured a mix of classics, fan favourites, and deep cuts. Hits like “Izzo,” “Empire State of Mind,” “Dirt Off Your Shoulder,” “Hard Knock Life,” and “Run This Town” ignited the crowd. When “99 Problems” dropped, a helicopter swept low over the stadium. JAŸ-Z has a magnetic stage presence that few artists can pull off and spent most of the show alone on stage. He possessed the command and aura of a legend thirty years deep in the game who still knows how to connect. “I see a lot of faces that were here yesterday, welcome back,” he says on stage. 

Backed by his band and orchestra, he fed off the crowd before peeling back his armour with rare, vulnerable cuts of “Song Cry” and “Never Change.” A glance across Tottenham Hotspur Stadium showed a sea of hands throwing up his iconic Roc-A-Fella diamond sign and fans dressed in throwback Yankees jerseys and Timberlands, mirroring the old-school New York visuals displayed on screen. JAŸ-Z honoured London too, recalling 1989 when he spent two months in a flat in Notting Hill with mentor Jaz-O: “I knew there was a bigger world for me out there… so this place has a special significance to me… And I really appreciate you from the bottom of my heart not only for the inspiration but for the love,” he says. Surprise appearances came from Dave and Sampha, who battled a faulty mic on “No Church in the Wild” as the crowd carried him through it. Night two of his London shows may not have featured the legacy guests of the first evening, but it did prove that three decades in, JAŸ-Z is still the whole show.

photography. Courtesy of Roc Nation 
words. Sam Quashie-Idun
music editor. Shama Nasinde

Straight off the stage at Iceland Eclipse Festival, Brazilian DJ Anna headed out into Iceland with a few days to explore what lay beyond the festival site. Waterfalls, volcanic landscapes, geothermal pools and wide-open stretches of countryside made up the route, with stops at Skógafoss, Hvammsvík Hot Springs and the Blue Lagoon along the way. There was time for a record-shop detour at Reykjavík’s 12 Tónar, an encounter with Icelandic horses, and plenty of time spent taking in a landscape that feels almost entirely its own. Here’s a look at her journey.

Right after my set at Iceland Eclipse Festival. Seeing the Northern Lights had always been a dream of mine, and even though they’re not so common in August, I was gifted with this moment right after I finished playing. ✨

East Forest is probably the artist I listen to the most; his music is pure medicine to me. We’ve collaborated three times and have become good friends, but rarely get to meet in person. He was also playing at Iceland Eclipse, so we finally got to spend some proper time together in Iceland. So special. ❤️

Skógafoss. Stunning, powerful, and almost unreal. It was also a filming location for Game of Thrones, and standing there, you understand why. There’s something about the raw power of nature in Iceland that makes you feel very small, but deeply connected at the same time.

Hvammsvík Hot Springs. Warm geothermal pools surrounded by cold air, freezing ocean and incredible nature. The contrast feels amazing. Visiting the hot springs was definitely one of my favourite things to do in Iceland.

At 12 Tónar record shop in Reykjavik holding a vinyl from one of my favourite Icelandic artists, Ólafur Arnalds. The soundtrack of my whole trip was basically Ólafur and his Kiasmos project. I’m a huge fan and had the pleasure of remixing him twice. His music feels like the perfect soundtrack to the beauty of Iceland.

I have such a deep connection and reverence for horses. While exploring Iceland, I suddenly came across these beautiful Icelandic horses and had to stop and connect with them. Seeing them surrounded by so much open space and wild nature made me so happy. They are such beautiful, powerful beings.

Iceland feels like another planet. So much of the landscape has been shaped by volcanic activity and lava, creating the most incredible textures. Everywhere you look, the colours and scenery completely change. I was so impressed by it all, it felt like seeing colours, textures and forms of nature I had never come across before.

There was something about the stillness of Iceland that made me feel deeply grounded. So much of the land feels untouched and raw, like nature is simply allowed to be exactly as it is. Being there slowed everything down for me. I felt very present, very connected to the Earth and to myself. There was something deeply healing about just being there, surrounded by so much space, silence and beauty.

On my last day, I visited the Blue Lagoon and could not believe my eyes. The milky blue geothermal water, surrounded by black lava fields, feels almost unreal. The water is naturally rich in silica and minerals that are known for their benefits for the skin. The perfect way to end my time in Iceland.

Learn more about Iceland Eclipse Festival at explore.icelandeclipse.com.

press photography. Ivan Erick Menezes 

photography. Simone Clay

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In her first official solo London show, Syd transported fans on a journey down memory lane. The London stop of her “Beard” tour at Islington Assembly Hall celebrated the songs that made us fall in love with her and her growth as an artist. She hit the stage with “2 Many Days” and “Always Be Mine” from her first solo album in four years, “Beard.” Syd’s set  was filled with slow jams, mellow tunes and tender vocals. She amped up the room with songs from her second studio album, “Broken Hearts Club,” which left the crowd screaming. 

London’s crowd was the first to hear her sing “My Love” performed live, before Syd took fans all the way back to 2017.  “I never got to perform ‘Fin’ out here or ‘Always Never Home,’ so let’s take it back. Let’s take it way back,” she told the crowd. Vulnerability and connection was central to the show with Syd sharing that she’s “trying to not let my insecurities hold me back anymore, y’all. I think we should all do that.” 

photography. Simone Clay

Syd catered to her OG fans with some The Internet throwbacks like “Girl,” “Hold On” and “Special Affair.” Syd even teased that there is some new music from the group on the horizon and shouted out band members Abraham [Daniel Abraham Jr.] and Simba [Scott] for their contribution to her latest project. “That’s who you hear all over the album playing base and keys, all over Beard,” she said. “You’ll hear them on the next Internet album too. That’s coming out soon.” Ending the show with “Any Time” from Beard felt like a full circle walk through the evolution of Syd before she thanked her audience. “I’m really grateful for you London. I’ll never stop playing here.” From the energy of the crowd, it’s clear the feeling is mutual. 

photography. Simone Clay

photography. Simone Clay
words. Sam Quashie-Idun