CARNIVAL GUEST EDITOR | AUGUST 2026
Linett Kamala
DJ | SOUND SYSTEM QUEEN | LIN KAM ART
“I’m proud that I’ve brought through so many women to play Carnival for the first time.”
LINETT KAMALA
THE JOURNEY TO CARNIVAL
From Harlesden to History-Maker
I was born in Harlesden in the 70s, and Jamaican culture and reggae music were everywhere. My mum settled in the area when she came from Jamaica as a teenager, so going to Carnival was always part of my earliest memories.
With Carnival, a lot of people associate it with the costumes but for me it was never that. I was always going for the sound systems. And then I was like, I want to do this, I want to be on the turntables.
My bestie’s brother was in a sound system, and when I asked if I could join, he said, “Yes, but you’ve got to practice.” So a whole year before, I was going into record shops, probably only just being able to look over the counter, and practising.
The big moment came on Children’s Day in 1985; they hadn’t seen children on the decks before. And if there were any females before, I hadn’t seen them DJ – they might have been on the mic. Around that time I played (Tyrone Brunson’s) ‘The Smurf’, electro, Trouble Funk, go-go. Music that would shake the sound system. Then you had people like LL Cool J coming in, early hip-hop. Once I joined the sound system, that was my Carnival. You don’t have time to see everything else.
DISRUPTING THE BOYS’ CLUB
The Sound System Queen
I’m one of the Notting Hill Carnival Board Directors and have always advocated for more equity on the gender front. For decades I had always been boldly saying to the sound system leads, “We need to catch up with what’s going on in the culture behind Carnival. Why aren’t there more female selectors?”
30 years later, in 2023, with the GuinnessGB x Linett Kamala partnership, they started to listen to me. It changed. The sound systems were pushing forward the females. There was a big change then. I’d been telling them that for years. I’m still trying to innovate.
So, I’ve been proactive, like the first time I heard DJ Flight play, I went up to the decks and said, “Have you done Carnival?” And she hadn’t. So I invited her to my sound system. DJing at Notting Hill Carnival is on most DJs’ wish list – it really propels you. I’ve helped a lot of people, but that being said, I’m still looking for my female MC, the dancehall stylee-one haha.
I’m proud that I’ve brought through so many women to play Carnival for the first time – like Dubplate Pearl, Jada Pink, Pastakebab, Chlxxe, there are many more names that until then hadn’t been invited before. For me, it should be for both the newbies and established names, it doesn’t matter.
I do feel in some aspects things have stagnated. There’s a repetition of how some women are presented at some sound systems – as accessories, with a focus on twerking and daggering in front of the decks. I find the latest, in-sync, choreographed group dancehall moves more exciting. And Uncle Waffles has successfully taken performance to a whole other level.
“When people think of presenting or documenting sound system culture, typically the go-to imagery is of roots reggae, but this is quite limiting and not reflective of the breadth of Jamaican culture. “
LINETT KAMALA
CULTURE CLASH
Beyond the Bass
When people think of presenting or documenting sound system culture, typically the go-to imagery is of roots reggae, but this is quite limiting and not reflective of the breadth of Jamaican culture. It’s common to hear a mixture of music genres played in Jamaica, such as R&B, dancehall and even the occasional country tune – many Jamaicans love tunes by Celine Dion and gospel music is huge!
Five years ago, I explored folk and dancehall culture in Jamaica, and I’ve found the folk community have been lovely. I’ve been secretly thinking about it (maypole dancing) since the 70s when I first danced it. No one talks about it.
I can hear the steps and the rhythms in the culture, including dancehall music. A rhythm called ‘The Hill & Gully’ by DJ Genesis recently went viral, which is a remix of a popular folk song. My family in Jamaica are from country; we’re country folk. I do a summer camp out there with the children, up in the hills of Hanover, and created Basstone Maypole where I get people to move to instrumental dancehall riddims.
There’s a whole element of the culture and foundations that more people should learn about.
THE FUTURE
Bringing Through the Next Gen
I decided to set up my own company and use my funds, and I set up the LIN KAM ART programme.
A young person called Kieran came in and asked if he could DJ. And I said, “I’ll show you but you’re not just going to turn up on the day; you’re going to see the build-up, what goes into it.” They’ve (the young people) done so well. They’re putting on their own radio shows, they’re putting on their own events. They’ve done brilliantly.
After a few cohorts, I realised that most of the participants on my programmes just wanted to focus on their DJ sets and not the sound system equipment or event production, so I turned it into a Young Festival and Carnival Producers programme.
They learn everything from first aid and safety, licensing legislation, to stringing up a sound system. At the South Kilburn CarniVale, a free community festival I organise, they gain valuable experience for their CVs. Some go on to get paid roles with LIN KAM ART.
In 2024, we did the entire production for my LIN KAM ART sound system at Carnival. We invited the Deep Medi family, including Mala, and my crew had to work alongside me from the morning until night and set it all up. They were brilliant, and people called it Dubstep Corner. That’s when DJ Mag nominated me for an award.
We have these chill spots up in the hills where my family are from in Jamaica. And that’s what I want to bring to Carnival this year. There’ll be dominoes, archival photo displays, intergenerational conversations and just good laid-back vibes to soak up Carnival’s 60th anniversary.
Check out the LIN KAM ART Chill Spot
12pm – 6pm, Sunday 30 & Monday 31 August 2026
St Stephen’s Gardens, W2 5NJ
