002: Hak Baker

Immigrant Island Dubplates

Hak Baker's music selection was top drawer. Unexpected gems from Reggae to Ital Disco, via 90's Chill Out and West Coast Hip Hop.

The chat was peppered with laughter, touching moments and revealing stories of MC battles in youth clubs, navigating prison life, blue Ford Focus' and ASDA's champion CD section.

And of course a few live surprises (check out the bonus content).

But could we secure the dubplate...?

Hak Baker is one of a kind. A British-Jamaican musician firmly rooted in London's East End, he is once-in-a-generation storyteller; counting the likes of Skepta, Celeste, Pete Doherty and the late Benjamin Zephaniah as fans and friends, Hak's music is unfiltered and uncategorisable sitting somewhere between The Streets and Billy Bragg, via grime culture and reggae roots. He has performed at Glastonbury Festival's famous Other Stage, and our very own Rum Shack, Royal Albert Hall and headlined Somerset House. He has just released an acclaimed documentary 'Hakeem' which premiered at London's BFI iMAX.

Lyrix Organix reimagines a certain legendary radio show for a new generation, inviting one very special guest to select records to take with them to their desert island.

The twist? One of our guests' track selections, re-recorded as a 'special' by the original vocalist, pressed as a one-off dubplate and presented in front of a live audience.

Imagine each 'Immigrant Island Dubplates' episode as one of those small boats crossing the Channel - carrying change-makers, entrepreneurs, poets, musicians, charity founders, festival pioneers, activists and community leaders. Now more than ever, its time to spotlight the unsung heroes that make this strange island of Britain, Great - powered by intimate stories of immigration, identity and subcultures.

The show was recorded live at Royal Albert Hall's Elgar Room - , in partnership with Royal Albert Hall. Thank you making this episode possible.

On the night there were surprise live performances by acclaimed poet Yomi Sode, and Hak himself. But you had to be there ;)

HAK'S TRACK SELECTION

Click to listen to the Spotify playlist

1. Bob Marley & The Wailers - Who The Cap Fit (1976)
2. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony - Fried Day (1996)
3. Air feat Beth Hirsch - All I Need (1998)
4. Bent feat Zoe Johnston - Swollen (2000)
5. Pino D'Angiò - Okay Okay (1981)
6. Chaos In The CBD - Midnight In Peckham (2015)
7. The Future Sound of London - Papua New Guinea (1991)
8. Sun Kil Moon - Space Travel Is Boring (2005)
9. Janet Kay - I Do Love You (1976)

Host / Director: Dan Tsu @offyellowradio

Event producer: Chris McGuire

Podcast Producer/Editor: Verity de Cala

Theme music: Gnarly @gnarlymusic

Special thanks to: Simon Wheatley, Janet Kay, Tom Bett, Martha Rumney Sara-Jane Powers & Royal Albert Hall

Live photos: Martha Christoforou

Film / editor: Adam Southgate @adam_southgate1

Additional Film: Connors Darling / @chewboyproductions

Britain is the desert island of Europe.

It's no paradise.

This is our culture.

These are our heroes.

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.