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The 10 songs that define Notting Hill Carnival, according to the people who know it best
The 10 songs that define Notting Hill Carnival, according to the people who know it best -  Copyright  Credit: Channel One Sound System/Seduction City Sound
Copyright Credit: Channel One Sound System/Seduction City Sound
Copyright Credit: Channel One Sound System/Seduction City Sound

60 years of Notting Hill Carnival: 10 essential songs chosen by its veterans

By Theo Farrant
Published on •Updated
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For Carnival’s 60th anniversary, Euronews Culture spoke to 10 people who have helped shape, celebrate and document its culture - asking each of them to choose the one track that, for them, captures the spirit of the festival.

This weekend, Notting Hill Carnival returns to the streets of west London for its 60th anniversary - six decades since a small community celebration grew into one of the world's biggest street festivals.

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Each year the two-day event is a joyous and physical reminder of the enduring influence of Afro-Caribbean culture on London. Its roots lie in the Windrush generation and the sound system culture brought over from Jamaica, against a backdrop of the racial tensions and violence that gripped Notting Hill in the late 1950s.

Following the 1958 race riots and the 1959 murder of Antiguan carpenter Kelso Cochrane by a gang of white men, local social worker Rhaune Laslett organised a children's street party in 1966 in the hopes of bringing the divided community together. And then when Trinidadian steelpan player Russell Henderson and his band took to Portobello Road, the foundations of Carnival were laid.

By the 1970s, sound systems had become central to the festival, with organiser Leslie Palmer introducing more Caribbean masquerade and live music. As he put it himself: "The sound systems were the voice of the youth." Since then the soundtrack of carnival has continually evolved - from calypso, reggae, dub and soca to jungle, drum & bass, hip-hop, grime and UK garage.

So for carnival's big 6-0, we rounded up ten people who've lived and breathed Carnival - from Channel One legend Mikey Dread to Seduction City's Lady Banton, to costume designers and photographers - and tasked them with picking one track that for them epitomises Notting Hill Carnival.

Mikey Dread (Channel One)

Mikey Dread of Channel One at Notting Hill Carnival
Mikey Dread of Channel One at Notting Hill Carnival Credit: Ruby Bevan

Notting Hill Carnival wouldn't be the same without Mikey Dread. He co-founded the illustrious Channel One Sound System and has been behind the decks since 1983. A serious legend. Don't miss him this weekend - he'll be playing out his collection of conscious reggae and exclusive dubplates for all to enjoy on the corner of Westbourne Park Road.

Mikey's track selection - 'Guess Who's Coming To Dinner' - Black Uhuru (1979)

We choose this tune because it’s what Channel One is about. Roots, Rastafari, heavyweight bass and unity from Jamaica to London, we’ve carried that message at Carnival for over 40 years.
Mikey Dread

Wayne Crichlow

Wayne Crichlow
Wayne Crichlow Credit: Wayne Crichlow (IG)

Crichlow is a London-based documentary photographer who has spent more than 15 years immersed in Notting Hill Carnival. He's recently released Carnival of Resistance, a photobook made with Wayne Campbell, documenting the festival’s sound systems, Mas, dancers, community and spirit of resistance.

Wayne's track selection - 'Warrior Charge' - Aswad (1980)

I was never really a soca or calypso guy growing up - my musical world was much more reggae, hip-hop and, later, jungle - but 'Warrior Charge' takes me straight back to my early years at Notting Hill Carnival. I remember standing around sounds like Aba Shanti-I and Jah Observer, physically feeling that deep, rolling bass, with those huge brass lines sounding almost like a chant of resistance. You didn’t just hear that music at Carnival - you felt it through your body. For me, that sound captures something fundamental about Carnival. Beneath the colour and celebration, there has always been resistance, identity, community and the assertion of Caribbean culture in Britain. That connection has stayed with me and is very much reflected in Carnival of Resistance, the book I’ve co-authored with Wayne Campbell.
Wayne Crichlow

Linett Kamala

Artist and DJ Linett Kamala attending Notting Hill Carnival
Artist and DJ Linett Kamala attending Notting Hill Carnival Credit: Linett Kamala

Linett broke into London's sound-system culture as a teenager, becoming one of the first women ever to DJ at Notting Hill Carnival. She's now a Notting Hill Carnival Board Director and has spent decades promoting music, art and making sure the next generation of women get their rightful turn behind the decks.

Linett's track selection - 'Rum & RedBull' - Beenie Man, Future Fambo, Seanizzle

Absolute Notting Hill Carnival timeless anthem. It's a guaranteed crowd pleaser, which completely sums up the vibes, because Jamaican dancehall classics like this being pumped out of a giant sound system speaker is unsurpassed!
Linett Kamala 

Oxman (Greensleeves HiFi)

Oxman attending Notting Hill Carnival
Oxman attending Notting Hill Carnival Credit: oxmanreggae

The primary host and selector of Greensleeves Hi-Fi, the sound system project carrying the name of one of reggae's most iconic labels. This Carnival weekend he'll be on deck duties with Becca D and YNG CPTN at The Hoxton in Shepherd's Bush.

Oxman's track selection - 'Police and Thieves' - Junior Murvin (1976)

The soundtrack to a time where it felt as though the song was penned for that specific event. A bittersweet feeling of enjoying the carnival but being weary of the police at the same time.
Oxman

Lady Banton (Seduction City Sound)

Lady Banton (pictured left) on decks at Notting Hill Carnival
Lady Banton (pictured left) on decks at Notting Hill Carnival Credit: Lady Banton

A Carnival veteran. Lady Banton is the force behind Seduction City Sound, a Carnival institution she founded over 30 years ago. Seduction City became the first all-female-led sound system at Notting Hill Carnival. Three decades on, she's still behind the decks, and this Sunday she'll be doing what she does best on Telford Road.

Lady Banton's track selection - 'Three Little Birds' - Bob Marley & The Wailers (1977)

This track always creates a sense of community of all nations to sing along to on our sound system during the event.
Seduction City Sound System

Ras Sherby (Channel One)

Ras Sherby attending Notting Hill Carnival
Ras Sherby attending Notting Hill Carnival Credit: Ras Sherby

One of Channel One’s legendary resident MCs. Mikey Dread's trusted right-hand man with more than 20 years experience at Carnival.

Ras' track selection - 'Live In Love' - Ras Sherby (2024)

I am going to be a bit selfish and choose my own song released on the Channel One Sound System record label titled 'Live In Love'. It was created from my experiences of Carnival, which I see as a melting pot where people of different cultures and races come together in one big celebration of our Caribbean culture and all its elements. Notting Hill Carnival reminds us that we can all come together in love and unity. It can be a blueprint for greater togetherness and bigger causes, but most of all, I love seeing people happy together. It’s much better than disharmony! Hope I haven’t gone on too much!
Ras Sherby

YNG CPTN

Chris Reid attending Notting Hill Carnival.
Chris Reid attending Notting Hill Carnival. Credit: Chris Reid

A London-based DJ known for blending reggae, dancehall, Afrobeats, jungle, garage and house. A regular on London’s Carnival and sound system circuit. This Carnival Sunday, he’ll be busy shelling out at both the Notting Hill Arts Club and The Hoxton.

YNG CPTN's track selection - 'Soul Rebel' - Gappy Ranks ft. Nereus Joseph

I picked this track because without the rebels who stood up against racism and oppression following the racially motivated attack that killed Kelso Cochrane, we wouldn't be able to experience Carnival as the celebration we know it today. The original Soul Rebel is by Bob Marley, but I choose Gappy Ranks' version as he's from North West London. Ultimately, the song represents standing up for who you are, what you believe in, and refusing to accept oppression.
YNG CPTN

Helen Davenport

Award winning artist and Carnival costumier Helen Davenport
Award winning artist and Carnival costumier Helen Davenport Credit: Helen Davenport

For 27 years, Carnival costumier Helen has been helping make Carnival look as wild, colourful and larger-than-life as it does. She’s also passionate about passing the craft on, running workshops for people of all ages, cultures and abilities.

Helen's track selection - 'Savannah Grass' - Kes (2019)

I love this song. It’s infectious. It’s Carnival.
Helen Davenport

Jamie Rodigan

West London-born DJ Jamie Rodigan
West London-born DJ Jamie Rodigan Credit: Jamie Rodigan

West London-born DJ Jamie Rodigan grew up immersed in reggae, thanks in part to his father, legendary broadcaster Sir David “Ram Jam” Rodigan. His sets draw on everything from reggae and dancehall to jungle, garage and house. He'll be bringing the sound to the Notting Hill Arts Club afterparty on Sunday along with YNG CPTN.

Jamie's track selection - 'Promised Land' - Dennis Brown

I’ve chosen this song as it brings back memories from my youth attending Carnival. The song always resonated with me on two levels - the incredible production by west London’s own Aswad and the subject matter. I was fascinated by the connection with Ethiopia and Jamaica and the fact that Emperor Haile Selassie provided a land grant for Rastafarian people to repatriate and settle in Shashamane. A true Carnival anthem!
Jamie Rodigan

Roachee

Roachee
Roachee Credit: Roachee

A certified barrer. East London MC and former member of pioneering crew Roll Deep, joining the collective in 2004. A product of the youth-club and pirate-radio scene that birthed grime.

Roachee's track selection - 'Who Am I' - Beenie Man

For me, going to the carnival back in the days it was always the Rampage stage I would visit, that's where it would always be going off, and one song that sticks out that used to beat through the sound systems was 'Who Am I' by Beenie Man. I will just never forget the weight of the baseline and how it made everybody dance. It was vibrational. Not only was the place vibrating but I mean it was spiritual too. I can't explain it - it was just mental. Big up Beenie Man and the producer because that instrumental is phenomenal work.
Roachee
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