Home / Arts and Entertainment / Recessland Festival: Black Culture Takes Over Margate
Recessland Festival: Black Culture Takes Over Margate
31 May
Summary
- Recessland festival celebrates Black nightlife in a predominantly white English town.
- Brothers Jojo and David Sonubi organized the event with a DIY ethos.
- The festival aims to create a space for fun and challenge stereotypes.
Last weekend, Margate, England, experienced an unusually hot May day, drawing thousands to its shores. Among them was a significant crowd for Recessland, a two-day festival hosted at Dreamland, one of Britain's oldest amusement parks. This event was the creation of brothers Jojo and David Sonubi, known for their Recess parties which cater to a predominantly Black audience.
Inspired by 1990s Black British nightlife, the Sonubi brothers adopted an "independent" and "DIY" approach, leveraging industry connections to bypass traditional routes and foster creativity. The festival featured classic amusement park rides alongside a roller disco, arcade games, and a main stage hosting major artists like JT and Destin Conrad.
Beyond the festival, Recess organized supplementary programs in Margate, including panel discussions and run clubs, aiming to introduce Black culture to the largely white local population. The initiative has evolved from early house parties to larger-scale events, fueled by a loyal following built through social media and word-of-mouth.
During the pandemic, the brothers launched No Signal, an online radio station for Black music, which gained traction with its "10v10" sound clash show. This venture capitalized on the rising popularity of genres like amapiano and the public's eagerness to experience music live post-restrictions. Despite a general trend of young people going out less, Recessland tapped into a strong demand for community-focused events.
The festival's aesthetic deliberately evokes a '90s vibe, with a curated approach to photography that aims to preserve memories rather than create hyper-staged content. David Sonubi emphasized the festival's core message: "Enjoy your life." He also addressed common stereotypes, stating, "When you look at the nitty-gritty, that's not really the reality." The brothers view Recess's success as a significant contribution to Black London's cultural exports and a benchmark for party curation, benefiting the wider scene.
