When I first moved to London, I had the honour to experience my first Wray Residency night, which coincidentally was launch of the first ever Wray Residency – a series held from the infamous Wray and Nephew. Now I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t pass up on an opportunity to pay less than a tenner for entry, 3 drink tokens AND carribean food to keep me appeased post-night out. With the array of exotic drinks including my personal fave Uncle Wray’s Reggae Rum Punch, Wray ‘n’ Ting or Ginger Nephew, it is definitely worth the dollar.

The first of the Wray Residencies was kicked off in my favourite Brixton headlining Gaika and special guests El Heist and The Gaza Strip. An impeccable bashment party and Gaika’s energy was infectious, particularly the dancehall stage show at the end.

Unfortunately I didn’t get the privilege to Ms Banks – with special guests Monique Lawz, Te Dness and DJ One Touch – in Peckham, South London, but here is a photo of the brudda IsaacB having the time of his life there…

I did make it to the third wray residency, again at Bilex Money Transfer Shop at Peckham High Street, to party with Joe Grind and South London MC’s Struggle Made Boost and Peckham Raver.

The final Wray residency for 2019 was held in another favourite, Hackney, where I saw J Spades. The East London MC headlined at A.C.E. African Carribean Emporium alongside Kaos and Margs.

Wray Residency series is hosted by local artists and DJ’s taking over unusual community spaces in the UK. It is known to turn up ‘true yard style right in the heart of the community’ and donates all proceeds to local charities. To find out when to ‘turn up’ to the next Residency, keep an eye out on their Instagram page and website below:

Instagram: @wrayandnephewuk
Website: http://straightfromyard.co.uk/events/