The new dance music event at AMP Studios in Peckham

We caught up with South London based DJ Kola Adefope ahead of his latest dance music event at the stylish AMP Studios in Peckham on Saturday 14th July.  

Funk, salsa, Afrobeat, reggae and Brazilian beats are just some of the sounds that will be pumping out of AMP studios this July. South London based DJ, Kola, is sharing his extensive vinyl record collection with Peckham via his latest dance event I Got Rhythm.

Kola Adefope who is originally from Nigeria but has lived all over the world, says his music is widely influenced by different cultures and genres “I have been collecting vinyl since I was 12, my taste in music is quite broad.” His collection consists of many genres, from funk to afrobeat, salsa, African traditional, Iranian classical, Jazz to drum and bass. He says, “For me, great rhythm is the most important thing, whether it is for dancing or relaxing, I only buy music that I love the rhythm of.”

Having been involved in concert promotions at both the Royal Festival Hall and the Queen Elizabeth Concert Hall in London as well as recently co-curating a BBC radio London show. Kola says he has always loved to share his music with others, a desire which has led him to organise I Got Rhythm “I want to share with people multi genre dance music, to free their inner rhythm, dance, and, have a good time.”

The concept behind I Got Rhythm is, a lively and inclusive event for anyone who enjoys and wants to dance in a relaxed venue, without the “pressures” that sometimes comes with being in a club setting.  The night will begin with the option of opting in for a salsa dance lesson with Salsamotion – a dance club that has been running regular salsa classes for both beginners and intermediate levels for many years in Blackheath. “I hope to incorporate lessons for other dance styles such as funk, afrobeat, reggae and Brazilian dance for future I Got Rhythm events” says Kola.

The second part of the night is all about listening and dancing to various dance genres from Kola’s broad vinyl collection, “I don’t have a favourite genre” he says, but he does have favourite musicians “The top three, whose music I would take to a desert island with me, is the funk Godfather James Brown, the afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti and the great dub master King Tubby.”

The venue is also an important aspect of the night “I was looking for somewhere relaxed but also atmospheric” says Kola. He stumbled across the stylish AMP Studios in Peckham. AMP studios is one of the unique locations Maverick Projects lets out for events, art exhibitions, theatre and photo shoots. The architecture and style of the building is quite impressive, with its huge brickwork archways and glass pavilion. “When I saw the old arches, high ceilings and courtyard, I knew I had found the perfect place for the event” he says. Kola is also excited by the fact that the studios are in a non-residential area, meaning there is no noise restriction “So, the music can go as loud and deep as I want.” He also expresses his enthusiasm about holding the event in Peckham. “I think that Peckham is really cutting edge and a multi-culturally vibrant area of South London, which is why I’m excited to hold the event in SE15”.

With Peckham transforming at quite a fast pace Kola says he is keen to explore more of Peckham’s music scene but for now, his focus is to put on a night that gets the people of South London dancing to various styles of music!

Interested in checking out Kola’s style of music? Have a listen to some of his playlists here.  

For a sneak peak at Kola’s extensive vinyl collection then check out I Got Rhythm’s Instagram and to find out about Kola's events check out his Facebook ,Twitter or website.

I Got Rhythm event is on Saturday 14th July at AMP Studios, 889 Old Kent Road, SE15 1NL

7pm – midnight

Tix £12.50 plus booking fee - Get your tickets here 

Beginners Salsa dance class, AMP Studios - Get your tickets here

5.30pm-6.30pm

Tix £5.00 plus booking fee