Offie Mag

Welcome to Reviews with Lou, a regular journal from Offie Mag’s first-ever intern, Louis Rowland. Known as Wachuwan when producing music or spinning tracks with Offie Mag DJs, Intern Lou can be found on our socials with a mic in hand — or right here on the blog, documenting the nights out, last-minute gigs, and everything in between.

He’s been spotted recently at Tash LC’s Club Yeke in Peckham, a Mac Miller candle lit listening party at NT’s Loft, Plentyppl at Colour Factory and 10k at Pitchfork Festival.

This time out he’s at Deptford Junction, for Papo2oo4 and YL.

Sometimes the best way to know you’re in the right place is to look around at who else bothered to show up. In this case: John Glacier, Lucien Clark, Omari Lyseight, Jaydonclover and Jadasea, to name a few. When the punters are already that creatively accomplished, you can only imagine what the event will be like. Luckily, we didn’t have to.

The last time I was in Deptford, I fell off a Lime bike and scuffed the fuck out of my loafers (tassled). That night, I was there for a good friend’s open mic. I’m such a good friend that I missed his set - right place wrong time but this time around I was not going to miss this. Deptford might have it out for me, but I wasn’t letting it sabotage my night again.

My interest in independent and underground music is a blessing and a curse. On one hand, I feel more connected to each artist I listen to because their audiences tend to be smaller; on the other, a lot of popular music completely passes me by.

Even though I feel so connected to these artists, the reality is that touring is expensive. Unless they’re based in the UK, it’s rare I get to see them live. So when the stars seem to align and an artist you really fuck with makes the effort to get out here, you cannot pass on the opportunity.

The opportunity that presented itself was New Jersey’s Papo2oo4 and YL at Deptford Junction. I’d seen Papo once before when Offie Mag booked him at Chalk a few years back as support for Wiki on his European tour. I had never heard of him before then, but I left thinking I might’ve just found my new favourite rapper.

And then there’s YL. I wasn’t too familiar with him until this summer. I’d been told to listen to his and Subjxct 5’s joint album and had it downloaded for two months without pressing play. Then I found myself at We Out Here, waiting for my tent to arrive. With no internet and no one to entertain myself, all I had was RRR & 2oo4 presents… Only Ones Taxin’. I don’t need to describe how good it is, it’s in our music of the year for a reason.

So that was the reason for attendance. Also on the bill were Oracl3, P From Lee and Goya Gumbani, who really held it down despite the incredibly delayed start. Doors were at 6:30; I don’t think anything kicked off until maybe 10. I guess good things come to those who wait.

I give nothing but respect to everyone who performed, but I was there, in the right place, for the main event. Gucci-cap-wearing YL brought unlimited energy to the smoke-filled room. His music makes me nostalgic for a childhood I never had. I’ve never been to America, but this shit makes me wanna grab my Timbs and a hard hat.

Papo took to the stage after, bottle of Jameson in hand, foams on his feet, Lyle & Scott on his chest. Subjxct 5 — his DJ and frequent collaborator — unfortunately couldn’t attend due to personal reasons, so we were blessed with Lord Unknown as an equally accomplished stand-in. Having Subjxct produce a lot of his tracks usually joins the two artists’ energy; like Nash and Amar’e, these guys work well together.

‘Had 2 Ball’ was a real highlight. I honestly believe it’s the perfect rap song, and I have no idea why it’s so slept on. And Papo — possibly down to the liquor — was monologuing and sharing his overall thoughts on life. What life was like growing up in NY and NJ, how UK immigration sucks, and how much he loves a now, not-so-underground rapper from Essex.

I left the venue feeling satisfied. It’s not every day these guys come to London, and I think it’s so important to show love to the artists for whom it probably means a lot that you’ve turned up. Right place, right time.

Thank you Kieran from DOTWAVNOTWAVE for sorting guestlist, and thank you to everyone who performed for the music.

Words by Louis Rowland