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Sound systems have driven the development of music in the UK, powered by hard work, passion and innovation. But preserving UK sound system culture, its knowledge and history, while also pushing it forward, is no easy task today. Ria Hylton traces its path through ska and reggae at blues dances in West Indian households, to soul, boogie, hip-hop and house in ’80s warehouses and at the Notting Hill Carnival, to nationwide tours and global popularity, and finds out how initiatives like the Sound System Futures Programme are seeking to secure its future 

After hugely successful residencies in Ibiza, a festival in Croatia, and regular tours around the world, Defected’s latest festival destination is in Malta. Ria Hylton heads to the island to take in the inaugural event

Blending hip-hop, house and influences from New York’s ballroom scene, Cakes Da Killa has been opening up the conversation around LGBTQ+ artists in rap. He speaks to Nathan Evans about developing his style, the appropriation of queer and ballroom culture, and finding inspiration in the Harlem Renaissance for his new album ‘Svengali’

NYC/Berlin-based DJ, producer and vocalist Perel records a mix of wavy nu disco, thumping house and Italo for the On Cue series, and speaks to Katherine Rodgers about regaining her confidence after a debilitating label experience, and her bold and irreverent new album, ‘Jesus Was An Alien’

Having made his name as a key figure in the bassline and drum & bass collective CruCast, Bru-C is now pushing himself further with a signing to the UK wing of iconic hip-hop label Def Jam. He talks to DJ Mag about the importance of keeping it real

Ploy demonstrates his percussive, pulse-racing and sub-bass-shaking sound for the Recognise mix series, and speaks to Katie Thomas about gradually finding his groove on imprints like L.I.E.S, Hessle Audio and Timedance, and his new label and party, Deaf Test