Funky Dee's Birthday Bash: 30 April 2011
Taking place in Ilford’s IF Bar, I set out completely unaware of what to expect. Offering a line up consisting of names serving the full musical spectrum, it was clear that whatever your genre of preference, there would be something to serve the highlight for all the ravers tonight.
Entering the club approaching the midnight hour, it was immediately obvious that I had missed the warm up as the dancefloor had already started boiling up. Minus a line of guys standing across the back wall, the building felt and looked like it was literally shaking!
Observing a crowd of revellers predominantly around very early twenties all chanting along to DJ Larizzle’s Hip-Hop set, it was disappointing that classic music like Nas ‘Made You Look’ didn’t get much reception. In fact, nearly killing the dancefloor, which was quickly revived by Kanye’s ‘All Of The Lights’.
The noise levels hit their peak as DJ Pioneer touched decks and horns and whistles were handed out. Inclusive of a Happy Birthday sing-a-long for Funky Dee as he nonchalantly navigated through the venue, I wondered why he hadn’t been brought to the stage to receive his greeting from the ravers properly on stage. As the set recommenced, ravers resumed dancing and blowing horns and whistles consumed by the entertainment, despite the frequent adaptations of hooks from host/MCs who weren’t present.
Dancefloor getting crowded, both rooms became available as Quincy delivered some sounds from the island of sun while sporting his new peroxide fade with Undisputed continuing the funky vibes in the smaller room with Mr M in the microphone. Handing over to Sneaky and Scottie D respectively, at this point both rooms were on fire, all ravers getting down!
Pleasantly surprised by the selection from Scottie D, the knowledge of the ravers also impressed. Contributions from both old, new and popular all included within his set, while the host made reference to some of his more veteran counterparts such as Gemini while interacting with the ravers.
Everybody still dancing when the lights came on, Trickster cooled things down with a slow jam set as everybody cordially exited the venue to make their way home, some taking a moment to enjoy a last song of two in the arms of another.
The atmosphere outside the building still happy and highly sociable, I’m sure that when all finally rested, they felt that at some point of the night they had definitely been living their lives…..
