If you didn’t enjoy your life at Recessland then maybe you need to re-evaluate it

It’s the 25th of May, the sky is blue, the sun is shining and enjoyment is in the air – it can only mean one thing. For the second year in a row the helmsman of Black cultural nightlife – Recess – took over Margate’s Dreamland and transformed the space into a hub of community, togetherness and of course, enjoyment.

After visiting Recessland last year I left with nothing owed to me. As promised, the perfectly curated DJ lineup encapsulated the vibes to a t, the performances elevated it all, the food range took you all over the diaspora and honestly my only thought was how could it get any better. But somehow, it did.

Let me take you through my journey on the day, starting in the Market House. A room that from corner to corner is confirmation of the teams pledge to uplifting and supporting their surrounding community. From the inclusion of the CsCb chess club spearheaded by Kojo Dwimoh, to the BooksDem Book Swap – it was small elements such as these that built an air of fellowship on top of it all. As you made your way through the rides, the bumper cars, the roller rink – it was hard for your eyes to not be drawn to the collaboration merch speckled throughout the people in the crowds. Gclo, Gbemi Girls, Meiji Meji, The New Originals – it was a melting pot of music, fashion and community collaborators that felt beautiful to witness.

Now, to the stages. The main stage took us on a journey from new school to old school and every genre, country and generation in between. As per last year the PlayPiem set championed upcoming artists and DJ’s such as Deela, Bxks and K[9]* who offered audiences a promising look into the future of our musical landscape. The DJ lineup was strong – from Tayo Iku to DJ L.A.J – there was never a dull moment. Watching the crowd gradually fill each crevice of the main stage area as the night came along and we communally sang high school musical hits and did the candy to close it all of- there was an effervescence that you couldn’t find anywhere else. And that is why Recess was, is and always will be at the helm of it’s space.

Recessland to me every year feels like a coming together of everything that encapsulates and encompasses the diaspora and its communities all in the name of joy. Creating a space where black people can witness Venna, Super Jazz Club or The Cavemen in one corner and then Donaeo and Deela in the other whilst wearing a collaboration t-shirt by Gbemi Girls and munching food from the Black Eats Market, whilst one friend is RollerSkating to an Aychibs set and the other is playing chess – there is and never will be anything else like it. Thank you always to the Recess team for curating those once in a lifetime experiences – we go again next year (please).