• Spotify’s Carnival Sounds returns with all-new playlist takeovers, exclusive essays and more
• Writers including Candice Carty-Williams contribute original new writing on Carnival 
• Legends such as Billy Ocean curate Carnival playlists
• Carnival sound systems such as King Tubby’s go virtual on the microsite
• Scannable mural artwork by London-based artist Bokiba transports passers-by straight into the world of Carnival

Spotify has today gone live with its support for Notting Hill Carnival as an official partner for the second successive year. As part of the collaboration, Spotify has created an all-new Carnival Sounds experience, in collaboration with NHC, with a virtual curation of everything we love about Carnival. 

The microsite, launching today, features a whole host of new content including: original pieces from some of the UK’s bestselling authors; all-new playlists from legends including Billy Ocean; a suite of bespoke podcasts; and can be activated by a scannable new mural artwork in the heart of Notting Hill, celebrating Carnival in anticipation of August bank holiday weekend. 

New for 2021 will be exclusive essays on the theme of Carnival from some of the UK’s most renowned Black writers and creatives. The names sharing their stories of carnival on the Carnival Sounds microsite will be:

• Candice Carty-Williams - writer and author of the Sunday Times bestselling novel, Queenie, for which she became the first black woman to win the “Book of the Year” accolade at the British Book Awards in 2020
• James Massiah - celebrated poet, spoken word artist and musician who has read at the Tate Modern, Southbank Centre and the Houses of Parliament
• Malika Booker -  writer, poet, artist and pioneer of the spoken word movement in the UK
• Eddie Otchere - photographer, educator and curator whose work recounts the Black British experience in art spaces
• Lava La Rue - Ladbroke-Grove based visual artist, rapper and founding member of NiNE8 COLLECTIVE
• Dawn Hill CBE - former chairman of the Black Cultural Archives the UK’s only national repository of black history and culture

The Carnival Sounds microsite for 2021 will once again give fans a chance to explore 42 of the official Notting Hill Carnival sound systems and DJs playing a mixture of dub, reggae, soca, soulful house and everything in between. Sound systems to explore include:

• King Tubby’s - Carnival’s oldest sound
• Rampage Sound - one of Carnival’s most coveted spots
• Seduction City Sound - Carnival’s all-female line up
• Martin Jay - the prince of UK soca

Spotify has also worked with some of the UK’s most iconic Black creators to help curate the soundtrack to Carnival through some of the most popular playlists. Selectors this year include:

• British soul icon Billy Ocean makes his selections for The Gold List
• Reggae is in expert hands as Protoje takes over the Irie playlist
• West London’s own WSTRN put their spin on Afro Bashment
• Hosts of Who We Be TALKS_’s Harry Pinero and Henrie curate Who We Be, the U.K.’s biggest hip-hop, Afrobeat, dancehall and R&B playlist

Spotify is also working with London-based multidisciplinary artist Bokiba who has created a stunning mural artwork, right in the heart of Notting Hill, capturing movement and sounds of Carnival as well as incorporating emojis as a nod to the virtual element of this year’s event. As with all of her work, women of colour are at the heart along with bold colours and patterns. The artwork mural features a scannable Spotify code so that passers-by can dive straight in, and immediately immerse themselves in the sounds and experiences of Carnival from their phones.

To further delve into the history and culture of Carnival, Spotify’s microsite will also host special podcasts featuring important Black voices. At home on Carnival Sounds this year will be:

• Ace Records Podcast - with Norman Jay, legendary founder of Good Times sound system
• Black History Bites - Jodi-Ann from BLAM talking through Carnival significance 
• Windrush Stories  - Matthew Phillip, Director of Notting Hill Carnival shares his story
• Who We Be TALKS_ - Harry Pinero and Henrie joined by dancehall icon Beenie Man.

Leroy Harris, Spotify UK and Ireland, Artist Marketing Lead said: “At Spotify, we are committed to supporting the Black community and elevating Black voices. Notting Hill Carnival is a monumental part of British and Caribbean culture: Spotify’s online platform and curation of Carnival provides an avenue for existing fans and those new to the experience alike, to continue to experience some of the utter joy of the weekend’s celebrations and what makes Carnival so special.”

Wherever they may be in the world, Spotify users can get inspired, energised and excited for Carnival Weekend by visiting the dedicated Spotify and Notting Hill Carnival microsite at: www.spotify.com/carnival.

You can see detail on the activity on Spotify’s blog, For The Record.