Notes from The Steeze Factory

Outside the Dr. Martens store in Soho, on a warm night in October, the thumping sound of Wizkid’s 2017 smash Daddy Yo rattles through and out of the building. One of three modish camo-wearers in a variation of Dr. Martens loafers and boots, checks my name off the guest list. I'm here for Steeze Factory's one-night takeover, part of Jordan Stephens’ With Bouncing Soles week-long curation of the store, celebrating the power of words and the joy of IRL connections.  

Downstairs, copies of The Face and Dazed sit among the mix of magazines on the shelves between double-buckle loafers and classic black and brown 1461 shoes. Upstairs, the party is warming up. Guests have grins plastered on their faces, eating patties supplied by Jamaica Patty Co. Drinks are on tap, and Wizkid transitions into Tyla’s Water. 

People slowly fill the room, from a guy dressed in a pale blue Corteiz tracksuit to another in a Lil Kim Supreme tee. A woman pairs a Palestine football top, shorts and fishnets with beaten-up grey Dr. Martens boots. Varying in style, they have one thing in common: they’re all amped up with energy, practically vibrating with excitement, waiting for the cyphers to start. 

Jojo Deevoy is behind the DJ decks. She’s spinning a mix of Afrobeats as bodies get closer on the impromptu dancefloor. Behind her in a custom Steeze Factory boilersuit, is DJ and producer Toddla T. The Steeze Factory is a project he started to spotlight grassroots talent and encourage friendly cyphers. Alongside him are DJ Redyfaymus and host for the night, Deli OneFourz. 


TWO FACTORIES FOR CREATIVITY
Ahead of the first cypher, Toddla T shares that bringing “a literal factory” to the Dr. Martens store played a part in the vision for the night – including a large silver bin enveloped in Steeze Factory-approved stickers.  

Everyone circles the decks as Toddla T sets the tone and Deli makes it clear: if you like the tune, shout “jacket potato” to reload it. A grime beat permeates as Vee takes to the mic, alongside Shelbee and Nubia. Vee is ferocious, with the confidence of someone far beyond her 19 years, spitting out bars without taking a breath as the Steeze bin is raised in the air, Toddla T so excited he’s clanging the lid against it. As the beat switches, Shelbee croons into the mic, adding smooth vocals. Nubia’s cheeky wit shines and the crowd erupts into screams and laughter.  

Post-cypher, Vee is “excited to share the stage with my friends”. Since meeting the Steeze team, it’s been a great platform for her, and as for what makes her sole bounce, naturally, it’s music.

BE YOURSELF AND NO ONE ELSE  

Cassie’s Long Way 2 Go fades into the background as the next round of cyphers kicks off. Pioneers and established artists take to the mic, from singers Terri Walker to Cherri, Soul II Soul’s Rose Windross and Steelo. Terri sings with vim, before handing it over to Steelo. Cherri then sings about the importance of seeing the “value in her art” without music chart validation.  

Rose, with sunglasses glued to her face, is the last performer, singing to the cheering crowd to ‘be yourself and no one else’. Terri says a cypher is always “a homely environment”. It’s about connecting with other artists. “I want people to feel good about themselves, and life, when they hear my music.”  

A short Pop Smoke session keeps the momentum going (not that the night’s lacking in that department), and back in the thick of it, Louis the Hippie and Randy Valentine go head-to-head to a beat with heavy kicks and snares. “I’m getting older and remorseful,” Louis says, before they rap “I’m just trying to find my peace” in sync.  

Louis’ influences range from “90s and 2000s sets filled with energy”. When he’s not battling another artist, you’re likely to find him on a Lime bike. “London is one of the best cities in the world – especially in the evening. Lime biking along the Embankment makes my sole bounce. You can’t beat it.” 

UNTIL NEXT TIME 

With the final hour approaching, Toddla T quite literally wheels out a large unicycle (yep, you read that correctly), impressively climbs on it (“I’ve hurt myself on it before!”), and then Lady Ice, DeeRiginal and LZEE finish things up. It’s almost hard to keep up with the speed at which all three spit rhymes: they flow together over a penetrating grime instrumental, like a supergroup. There’s something magnetic about Manchester native Lady Ice, in particular, as she spits ice-cold, just like her name: ‘Everybody wanna be famous but they don’t wanna put the work in’, and each time she clutches the mic, she never loses her intensity. “She’s so good!” someone says as she makes her way down the winding stairs after finishing up.  

“I’m a Manc, and Jamaican, so my music is influenced by my mother tongue,” she says. Having been in music for a long while, the hunger and “fire in my belly” have never dampened. Heading out, the bass now more muffled, she shares a vulnerable glimpse of her life outside of music. As a full-time carer for her mother and a musician, it’s the small things that still mean plenty. “Seeing my mum smile and have a good day – it sends electricity through me.” 

A night of music sparring, energy in spades and passion comes to a close, just like that. Catch you at the next one?