November 22, 2024 |
Peckham-born imprint Rhythm Section International has been stamping its mark on London’s music scene and beyond since its humble beginnings. Starting its life as a radio station, founder and DJ Bradley Zero grew it from a broadcast alone, into a party, and then eventually into the label it is today in 2014, with this year marking its ten year anniversary. To celebrate, Zero and his RS team have put together a 30-track compilation that pays homage to the label’s far-reaching impact, as well as planning a big ‘ol knees up in Hackney’s Earth on December 13.
“Discovery, sharing, coming together and growing,” says Zero when asked to describe the label’s grounding mission statement, emphasising how community has always been Rhythm Section’s bread and butter. “Rhythm Section was born out of this outsider group of creatives living in SE15. The locale and its people have been the building blocks and primary influence for everything we’ve done,” says Zero. “That element of luck isn’t lost on me – I stumbled into the most exciting community in the world and it inspired me to add something to it.”
Zero has indeed added, and in droves. Over the past decade, Rhythm Section has become one of the most recognisable names on the London club scene. Seeing an RS logo stamped onto an event poster or a radio schedule has become synonymous with people who really know their music. “There’s major milestones like winning DJ Mag’s ‘Label of The Year’ in 2021, hosting shows on BBC and NTS and completing residencies at XOYO; touring in new continents and hosting stages at iconic festivals like Glastonbury and Gala, but really, it’s the small wins, the personal stories,” says Zero. “Seeing the hard work of artists we’ve supported finally pay off and watching their dreams come true… That’s the stuff that matters.”
The artists are pretty grateful too. Manchester-based producer and vocalist Private Joy who released her EP Desire with the label earlier this year, using it to unveil work that showcases her distinct tone of alternative R&B and street soul. “Rhythm Section has always championed the outsider and as an outsider, that has meant the world to me,” says Joy. “There’s so much interesting work coming through and the tone the label has set to give people their creative freedom… I think that that sets it apart from anybody else. It’s been such an honour to release with Rhythm Section.”
Soul, RnB and Jazz artist Douniah, who isn’t currently signed to the label but whose track ‘A Fever Dream’ with Berlin-based producer Dhanya is featured on the 30-track anniversary compilation is a big Rhythm Section fan. “I think they do great work combining a variety of sounds, meaning a lot can be represented within that compilation. It’s truly an honour for us to be a part of it,” she says. “I think labels that are willing to take a risk and be genre fluid… I think is really beautiful.”
So what can we expect from the rest of the sprawling release? “A delicious, vinyl box set designed by my good friend Ahmed, aka Mr. Stretch at AOK,” says Zero. “[It’s] six discs split into three parts: Past, Future and Reimagined. [It’s] ten unsung gems from the back catalog, ten upfront exclusives from friends of the label and then ten remixes of classic label songs by different label artists.”
If that wasn’t enough, Rhythm Section fans (of which there are many) are in for a treat if they cop a ticket to the anniversary party on December 13. “We wanted to include elements of the live concerts we’ve been doing for almost ten years, alongside the club events we’ve been doing since 2011,” says Zero. “We got Jack J, MMYYKK and Klein Zage to perform live for the first time in London, alongside Manchester sensation Private Joy. We then take it down to the basement to get sweaty with Nicolá Cruz and Make A Dance, plus myself alongside a very special guest. It should be pretty wild. Carhartt came on board to help make it affordable. We’re offering £10 tickets to people who sign up for the pre sale….this was an important thing for us to do.”
Rhythm Section has its heart in the right place. Those that get welcomed into the label’s ever-expanding family might sit right across the genre spectrum but they’ll always one thing in common – talent. It means the Rhythm Section output is reliable and always, always meant to be enjoyed. Sure to brighten these cold and dark days, you can now listen to the release here and purchase your tickets to the Earth event here. Don’t miss out on either.
Photography courtesy of Rhythm Section.
