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Encompassing parties, a record label and a beloved radio show, Errol and Alex Rita’s Touching Bass has created an open space to celebrate Black music in all its forms, from jazz to jungle and beyond. Alongside a woozy mix exploring the DNA of Touching Bass’ past, present and future by Sammseed, Ria Hylton documents the movement’s ethos and story so far 

Marcia Carr is into her fourth decade behind the decks and has seen many trends come and go in that time. Throughout, she’s stuck with what truly moves her: an assortment of Black music from jazz, funk and boogie to gospel house, broken beat and beyond. She’s thought about giving up DJing on more than one occasion, but — driven by passion and faith — is now enjoying a well-deserved moment in the sun. Alongside an uplifting On Cue mix, she tells Ria Hylton her story

It’s an exciting time to be both a new and old fan of African music, but how does it feel for African artists raised and working in the diaspora? As producers and consumers, these artists have a unique vantage point on this cultural shift. Jessica Kariisa speaks to Nazar, Hagan, Juba and Chief Boima and asks: what does music from “back home” mean today?

From her first release as Octo Octa in 2011, there’s always been an element of rapturous freedom inherent to Maya Bouldry-Morrison’s music. But since coming out as a trans woman and meeting her life/work partner Eris Drew, that feeling is rendered in brighter shades than ever. Taking time out from a European tour, Bouldry-Morrison details her road to house music happiness

Soaring ascents, the kind that can take an artist from obscurity to stardom in what seems to be the blink of an eye, don’t occur often, in dance music or elsewhere – those who are lucky enough to have that experience often disappear just as quickly. But there’s little chance of a quick fade for South Africa’s Palesa Desiree Shilabje, the DJ and producer known to the world as DESIREE, who in just a few short years has proved to be one of the international festival circuit’s most exciting new stars. Here, Bruce Tantum hears her story, and about how her evolution through music has been as organic as they come

A rapper, producer and head of the No Days Off brand, Knucks smashed into the UK album charts this year with his ‘Alpha Place’ project, presenting his ‘chill drill’ sound in all its evolved glory. His triumphant homecoming show at KOKO in Camden saw collaborators like Stormzy, SL, Youngs Teflon and Ragz Originale join him on stage. Here, Yemi Abiade meets the Londoner to learn how there are now no limitations on his future