“Outside Inside” - Neoprene Genie & Leap Recordings

In association w/ No Vista

Author & Photographer: Charles David (ElevateWelcomeReimagine.com),

On Friday, Dec 15th 2023 the hypnotising baselines of Jersey Club shook the dance floor.

Though often overshadowed by its neighbour New York, Newark, the largest city in New Jersey (300,000+), has a rich music history of its own that many are unaware of:

In the post Disco era, club culture spread as a resistance to the Anti-Disco Movement, to provide a “safe havens for partygoers who wanted to escape from social issues and enjoy a euphoric experience away from public scrutiny”.

Newark grew to be arguably one of the most influential cities that has shaped the global phenomenon that is Club Music. Home to the legendary club Zanzibar, home of a sound system designed by the infamous Richard Long & Larry Levan (who pioneered their precision sound systems at clubs like the Paradise Garage & Studio 54).

The groundbreaking work, leveraging, large (up to 12 feet tall), entirely hand-built horn loaded sound systems helped craft the “Jersey Sound”, that started as House, birthed Deep House, and “Garage” as it became known in the UK, and in 2023 being the epicentre of infectious, high energy sound of Jersey Club.

Authentic club culture is inclusive, providing escapism for all the concerns of the world, free from racism, sexism, ageism, ableism, no transphobia, body shaming & misogyny. While many mainstream clubs are catering to bottle service and taking care of the VIP’S, The Jersey club sound continues to provide the outlet many need.

Cited by GQ as “the Blueprint for Your Favorite Hip-Hop Songs Right Now” , The growth of Jersey Club sound is showing no signs of slowing evidenced by the energy brought to Allure Lounge on Halsey Street in Downtown Newark.

The rolling baselines and hard hitting drum patterns energised the dance floor, with early attendees unafraid of the dance floor spotlight, moving in perfect sync to the hypnotic, pulsating beats. The variety in DJ’s showcased perfectly how music can influence across borders with artists from Newark, New Jersey, Queens - NY, Detroit and the UK (London), all sharing their unique musical style and flavour into an infectious groove that is hard to not dance to.

Newark DJ/Producer (and local legend), NADUS described the night as:

“West London’s @ikonika_ and Detroit’s @dreambeachhh to Newark, NJ for ‘Outside, Inside’ a collaborative event and initiative by @tice.cin’s @neoprenegenie from London and my newly formed label @leaprecordings in association with @no.vista meant to archive cultural heritage and community spaces globally through fictive narratives such as novels and films, so that we can protect the spaces that provide safety and recognition for underrepresented communities – in turn making it more possible for community ownership, sustainable nightlife and safer spaces to be grounded in media. To coincide with the evening of talent and sonics we will be shooting a short film about connection and love as well and would love if the tribe made it out. Though this film is meant to also amplify OUR Club music it is also meant to show the connectivity of sounds and culture throughout the diaspora. Hope to see you all there.”

LINEUP

IKONIKA (LDN - UK)

HOODBABY BLUE (NJ - USA)

A.SARR (QNS - USA)

NADUS (NWK - USA)

89 THE BRAINCHILD (NWK - USA)

TAH (NWK - USA)

dream beach (DET - USA)

D3NIM (NJ - USA)

TICE CIN (LDN - UK)