Editor's Log 010
Streaming Wars, Grime Anniversaries, and My New Kano-Based Personality
Hi all,
Welcome back to the Editor’s Log - your weekly digest of what mattered, what didn’t, and what I got weirdly invested in anyway. This week was maybe the busiest so far, even though I barely left the house. As always, feel free to reply to this email or DM me on Instagram if you’ve got thoughts.
Monday
Palace announced their new collaboration with UGG with a groovy video scored by dubstep/garage legend El-B. Love the video, don’t love the garms.
Jorja Smith’s label FAMM challenged the use of AI to replicate her voice on the TikTok hit ‘I Run.’ They’re completely right to. In my opinion, AI in music only makes sense when it isn’t trying to steal someone else’s voice, whatever that ends up meaning.
Ray Solace announced the next edition of his dinner and screening night Break Bread, this time fundraising for the people of Congo, Jamaica, Sudan, and Palestine. I haven’t made it down to the previous ones, but Ray is a great soul and an equally great director, so this is defo worth heading to.
Yaz XL released her Whiptail bags, manufactured by Eden Tan. Very cool, very sculptural, and worth a cop if you can pull them off (and stomach the price).
The Fashion Awards took place - no invite for me unfortunately, hopefully next year. Grace Wales Bonner won Menswear Designer of the Year (yay), Sarah Burton won Womenswear Designer of the Year (expected), Jonathan Anderson won Designer of the Year (boring), and Dilara won the Vanguard Award, which should’ve obviously gone to Aaron Esh. It does get a bit stale seeing the same names recycled every year, so fingers crossed for fresher nominees in 2025.
There was this cool Simz and Kano moment, which he basically predicted earlier this year on ‘Chapter 16:’ “You and Simbi, go grab the accolades that they would never give me.” Also always nice seeing Lulu Kennedy and Raphaelle Moore get their flowers. I really want to meet Lulu - so many people we both know have said we’d get on, and she’s easily one of the most important figures in modern British fashion.
Tuesday
Tenderbooks and Dal Chodha are hosting an exhibition of Veronica Ditting’s miniature book collection. Veronica Ditting is very cool, so I’ll definitely be heading down.
Pitchfork released their Albums of the Year list. Very Pitchfork. No real comment yet as I haven’t listened to everything, but always nice seeing FKA Twigs, Djrum, aya, and Joanna Robertson get their due.
I interviewed someone, but it won’t be out until February :( Afterwards, I visited my friends Kazna and Charlie’s studio. Always a good time. Me and Kazna now have a shared, profound admiration for Kano, which feels spiritually correct.
Wednesday
Dazed published a piece asking various writers whether Substack is still for writers. I’ve been on here for a few years now and it has definitely changed, but at its core it’s still pseudo-intellectual Twitter, and I don’t see that shifting anytime soon. Feels like its peak hype moment is slowly cooling, though.
Pitchfork released their Songs of the Year list, featuring Four Tet, dexter in the newsagent, Sherelle, and more of my faves. Good list tbh.
The UK announced a £1.6 million fund to support touring musicians. Great to see, it’s helped so many artists before (Dave, Ezra Collective…), so it’s nice to see that support return.
Darcus Beese has his own show coming to Channel 5 and YouTube, a BET UK original about his life. His book was super interesting, so I’ll definitely be watching.
Thursday
Netflix might be buying Warner Bros. This SUCKS. I love the cinema, and this will just mean more straight-to-streaming everything. In the meantime, I’ll be celebrating independent cinema regardless, probably at the BFI.
Wretch 32 and Avelino announced the deluxe version of their classic ‘Young Fire, Old Flame.’ Very sick to see. Though I hate to be that person: I don’t think their Fire in the Booth is that good. Kano’s clears.
The Face is on the best cover run I’ve seen in ages - Romy Mars, Cindy Sherman, Amelia Gray, Dave… it’s like they rounded up the only Americans I rate (+ Dave) and lined them up just for me. Amazing.
Friday
Eden Tan got interviewed by Highsnobiety. I’m a big fan, and I may be meeting him later this week, so very exciting. The interview itself is cool but quite surface-level. Still, I’m excited to see what Eden does for his next show, especially with the Paul Smith backing.
Saturday
I released the start of my Favourite Tracks of the Year list, have a read here.
I also checked out the Taylor Wessing Portrait Prize exhibition, but nothing really blew me away tbh.
Sunday
Martin Parr died. So, so sad. One of the few “old guard” photographers who actually seemed lovely. Dazed did a great interview with him a few years back that’s definitely worth reading if you’re unfamiliar with his work.
Grime heads and Londoners everywhere celebrated 10 years of Elf Kid’s eternal classic “Golden Boy.” Lewisham grime was never my fave, but Elf Kid was up there.
It was Jawara Alleyne’s birthday, so happy birthday to one of my favourite designers!
Until next week,
P.S. Please give me TV recommendations. I’ve rinsed everything.