Selections: Sicaria
In this series, Selections, we invite DJs, producers and label heads to dig into their digital crates and share the contents of their collections. This week, Sicaria spotlights system-shaking sub-bass and percussion from the wide 140 sphere
As one half of Sicaria Sound, Lou Nour’s specialisms in system-shaking sub-bass and rumbling rhythms around 140 BPM have been well-honed over the past six years or so. Alongside Sancha Ndeko, the duo made waves on both sides of the Atlantic with rowdy DJ sets that embodied the spirit of dubstep’s originators, while pushing the sound in bold new directions with a youthful vigour and globally-minded curiosity. It’s an energy they channelled equally into their Cutcross Recordings label, which became a home for releases of rib-rattling bass pressure, with explosive flourishes of technoid breaks and lively percussion peppered through it catalogue.
At the end of 2022, the pair announced that they would be going their separate ways, with Nour set to steer the Sicaria ship solo from here on out, and Ndeko starting a new journey under her Mia Koden moniker. Determined to carry the Sicaria legacy forward, Nour kicked off 2023 in earnest with a string of shows across North America, and will be joining the likes of Mala, Martyn, EVA808 and more at Electric Brixton on 17th February as part of the HVYWGHT 5th birthday party, powered by Sinai Soundsystem. Tickets for that are available here.
Nour also has plans to launch a new platform, Club CONFiDANCE, with a view to producing curated livestreams, radio takeovers and live performances with likeminded artists in the wide world of 140.
In the meantime, Sicaria’s selections encompass the sounds she’s been playing during her North American tour, and the sort of thing folks can expect from her set at Electric Brixton. Dive in below.
“This is an elite collaboration of some of my favourite artists. I’ve got this first on my list because it deserves way, way more recognition.”
“A Russia-based producer who I only recently discovered at the end of last year. Literally anything he makes goes off in the rave.”
“As soon as I opened this link I thought: are you mad!? It’s a proper dancehall-inspired weapon that I throw into my sets for a bit of a switch-up.”
“I first caught this when Mala played it at Outlook Festival UK and I had to have it in my collection. It’s a hard-hitting B-side on the M4 release!”
“Recently released on Dublin-based EMA’s label. It makes a great experimental introduction to a set or mix.”
“A total 140 club tool. I draw for this one any time I need a blender or to help calm down the crowd a little bit.”
“It’s outside of the naughty 140 sphere but - just like the rest of TikTok - I’m in love with Ice Spice and Rebello has made this track a bit more dance friendly with the addition of some baile funk magic.”
“This one is a very cheeky drum-fuelled, bass-driven bootleg of WildChild’s ‘Renegade Master’. I love repping newer reworks of old-school trax purely for the nostalgia element.”
“You’ve most likely rinsed Skanka and Skanka VIP... but have you heard ‘Discovery’? Another Hamdi track that’s an instant pull-up.”
“Sophiya’s a queen who’s already had her track featured in a McDonalds ad. ‘Tanga’ is one I like to throw into my sets for a hip-shaking blend. And don’t get me started on those MENA style strings in the breakdown.”
