Editor's Log 025

V&A East, Forbes 30U30, Fela Kuti, and a DJ who can't read a room.

Hi all,

Welcome back to the Editor’s Log. A lot this week, but fun on the whole.

Monday

Who knew Snoop Dogg was tapped into Kode9?

I watched Rachel Sennott’s new show, Big Mistakes, co-written with Dan Levy of Schitt’s Creek. Honestly, very boring and very millennial. Her internet-born humour and irony feels completely flattened. Whether that’s Levy’s doing or Netflix’s, I can’t say.

Tuesday

W Magazine has launched WYouth. I hope it reimagines the space that the now-shuttered Teen Vogue once held; one of the only publications that engaged young people on politics, art, and fashion with the grace they deserved (most famously their Donald Trump is Gaslighting America essay). That was, until Chloe Malle decimated the masthead (firing mostly women of colour and trans people), installed herself as EIC, and folded the whole thing into Vogue.com. WYouth will be led by W Editor-in-Chief Sara Moonves and Ava Nirui, former Creative Director of Marc Jacobs’ Heaven. The full team is still unclear, but if they’re hiring, I’m right here.

Saul Nash has designed the costumes for Wayne McGregor’s Quantum Souls at the Royal Opera House. His fashion films are always brilliant, and there’s something special about seeing his work in actual motion, really looking forward to seeing this in the flesh.

The Forbes 30 Under 30 is full of familiar faces: Corbin Shaw, Petra Fagerstrom, Jim Legxacy, Sinead Gorey, Gabriel Moses, and more. Congrats to everyone selected.

And I finally bought the Mark Fisher Bible. Still working through it, but I already feel inspired.

Wednesday

Some unseen work by George Condo is heading to auction, courtesy of his wife. I’m a mild fan of Condo’s work, and some of these pieces are truly striking. I hope at least a few find their way into a gallery rather than a private vault.

London’s largest independent book fair is back, 15–17 May at 180 Studios. Participants include ISOLARII, Perfect Lives, Reference Point, and plenty more. Already saving up.

Fela Kuti will become the first African artist inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this November. Long overdue for a true legend.

I caught the press day for V&A East’s first exhibition. I was disappointed. Presenting itself as an expansive and definitive guide to Black British music, it falls remarkably flat. Too much of the space is devoted to the history of African migration to the UK, so by the time you reach the actual music, there’s barely room to breathe. The reggae section is a highlight, but the UK Garage section has no mention of Wookie and Lain’s Battle; Grime barely references Wiley and omits D Double E, Wretch 32, and so many others entirely; and the Dubstep section is just two pictures (one of Skream, one of Benga). Full stop. The timeline ends there, with some throwaway nods to V9, Stormzy, and Little Simz. No Afroswing, no UK Drill, nothing from the underground, not even a gesture toward Grime 2.0, let alone 3.0. Very, very disappointing.

I did pick up Dean Blunt’s Black Metal on vinyl from the gift shop, and consoled myself further with Jim Legxacy’s Black British Music on vinyl and 2Pac’s Greatest Hits on CD. DaMetalMessiah made me Proud to be a Londoner to close out the day.

Thursday

Myles Lewis-Skelly is Wales Bonner’s latest muse and I am completely here for it. The predators he’s been wearing lately, chef’s kiss.

Charli XCX is on the cover of British Vogue. Really strong, possibly my favourite Chioma Nnadi cover so far. And she’s making a rock album?! Really intrigued.

Hans Ulrich Obrist was interviewed for Cultured Magazine. So real. He mentions buying a book a day and namedrops Ebun Sodipo…a man after my own heart. I’d love to work with him one day. Might have to get through at least one book on his reading list first.

Burnermunde are back with W*NKER. I enjoy their stuff, though I wouldn’t call myself a fan; it’s very British anti-humour. Their documentary 6 TILL 6 is defo worth your time though.

Friday

Fakemink linked HUNTER BIDEN at Coachella. This is like when Skepta linked Michael Jordan, so random.

Susie Cave, the coolest person alive, is back with a new brand. Very intrigued to see how it shapes up.

Kindred is hosting Sadie Coles’ Gargle next Thursday. Fan of both, so should be a good one.

Took a friend to Rowan’s: smoked him at bowling and pool, though he edged me at air hockey, before we headed to the Sammy Virji concert. Sammy Virji is one of the worst DJs I’ve seen. In the AI era, clean mixing is a baseline, not a skill. You need to read the crowd, curate the room, take people somewhere. Virji isn’t it (bad pun sorry).

Saturday

Solange is previewing a series of glass decanters designed via Saint Heron. They’re beautiful.

Sunday

Started watching Curb Your Enthusiasm. I’m not usually one for American culture, their TV shows are my only vice, but this is really hilarious. Apparently an old English teacher of mine wrote his university dissertation on it.

Until next week,
Sik

P.S. Open for business x