Campaign launched to encourage more women to get involved in soundsystem scene

A new mentorship programme has been launched to encourage more women to get involved in soundsystem culture, curated by Notting Hill Carnival pioneer Linett Kamala.

The campaign, titled Original Sounds Collective, is supported by Guinness and includes tailored training, experiences, and access to equipment, The Guardian reported earlier this week.

Fronted by Linett Kamala, one of the first women to perform at Notting Hill Carnival at the age of 14, Original Sounds Collective aims to bring more women into the soundsystem culture and scene ahead of the next annual carnival event.

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“Women have always been around and part of soundsystem culture. It’s just not always been as visible,” Kamala told The Guardian.

“So me stepping into the fore as a young woman back then was bringing more visibility to the females who were around, but not as prominent and taking on some of those roles like DJ or MC.”

Kamala, who has been an integral part of Notting Hill Carnival for more than 35 years, is set to host the mentorship programme alongside other carnival mainstays including Dubplate Pearl and Ella Davidson-Smith.

The first round of mentees have been selected, but the programme will reopen soon for prospective applicants.

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“People feel like they’re perhaps in isolation,” Kamala said on the lack of support for female artists. “They’re feeling like they’re the only ones doing this or feeling this way, and really want to learn more about it. The first step is about connecting and having that courage.”

“Everyone brings different skills, but it’s a collective and everyone’s going to have different facets to different qualities and personalities that they’ll bring to it as well,” she told The Guardian. “So that’s what’s quite exciting, to hopefully find that and connect with other people and other women out there.”

Find out more about Original Sounds Collective here.

[Via The Guardian]

Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Assistant Editor, follow her on Twitter