Rampage Sound — Sound Di Alarm!
Celebrating 30 award-winning years of radio, legendary shows and an omni-present relationship with Notting Hill Carnival, Rampage are one of the UK's most renowned Sound System…
Notting Hill Carnival Sound System (1994/1994) by Peter MarshallNotting Hill Carnival
The very first sound system was introduced to the world in 1940s Jamaica, a setup initially designed to bring music and entertainment to the people by way of disc jockeys and deejays (MCs) chatting over reggae riddims.
Past and Present of Rampage Sound by Vivian MorrisTRENCH
It has since gone on to inspire club music at large all over the world, including the UK’s very own Rampage Sound.
Heavily inspired by the late '80s era of sound systems in JA, Rampage–from their legendary house parties in South London to Rosebury’s, Za Bar and SW1 to Ayia Napa and beyond–have been an integral part of the Black British contemporary music scene for more than thirty years.
The crowd at Rampage's Soundsystem in Notting Hill Carnival (1996) by StylesTRENCH
Colville Terrace, W11
Since 1993, for two days in August, Rampage has been an unmissable event at Notting Hill Carnival. Setting up shop every year in the same location, DJs/mic-men Treble T, Maurice and Mike Anthony have played host to a wide range of musical talents.
An Abstract Image of a Rain In A Puddle by Matheus NatanTRENCH
Artists like Wiley, Sean Paul, Shaggy, Buju Banton, Idris Elba, Mos Def and Dizzee Rascal. Growing to become one of the largest static sound systems in Europe, Rampage entertains thousands of carnival-goers every single year, and some events have become the stuff of legend.
Legendary Moments
When Ms Dynamite performed a drum and bass version of her 2001 hit with Sticky, "Booo!", the surge from the crowd put a 45-degree bend in the metal barriers, or when Lethal B performed “POW!” in 2004 and people got so hyped they tried to pull a tree out of the ground.
When BBC Radio introduced 1Xtra in August 2002 as the first national radio station aimed at a Black audience, Rampage launched it with a live, five-hour showcase. 21 years later, the crew continues to hold a weekly residency on the popular station.
Rampage Sound at Notting Hill Carnival (2005) by Laura BrosnanTRENCH
On their 1Xtra show they continue to spotlight classic albums and play a variety of Black musical styles, such as hip-hop, grime, UK funky, garage, jungle, R&B, reggae and dancehall.
Past and Present of Rampage Sound by Vivian MorrisTRENCH
"Rampage has had longevity in the scene for so long because we're great at what we do,” the trio explain. "But also because we're first and foremost fans of music–all three of us live and breathe the culture, love nothing more than discovering new artists and records..."
Past and Present of Rampage Sound by Vivian MorrisTRENCH
"We still get the same buzz from DJing and doing radio as when we first started. Being around for so many years is such a blessing and it's amazing to see our audience grow with us…."
"Over the years we've seen so many people who may have had some of their first big performances at our stage at carnival or do their first interviews on the radio with us go onto greatness–Stormzy, Stylo G, Kano, Bashy, Ms Dynamite, Tinie Tempah, Rema and more..."
Words by Dr. Joy White
Photography by Styles, Vivian Morris, Laura Brosnan [Frank Archives], Notting Hill Carnival
Videos by BBC 1Xtra, BPM, No1styles
Commissioned by TRENCH
