Jordan Mackampa

Musician — London

01Profile

A Jordan Mackampa Photo

03Interview

Name, where are you from?
Jordan Mackampa - North London raised, now South London living.

Describe your style in three words?
Monochrome, layered, minimal, cool af. That's four words, couldn’t resist.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
There’s a few that come to mind but two years ago I saw Kendrick Lamar at the O2. I had just moved back to North London at the time, wasn’t really sure where my music career was heading, false promises being made and things I wanted to do kept falling through, but I went to that gig and felt reborn afterwards. He put on a masterpiece performance from start to finish, there was never a moment where I felt a dip in quality. Visionary. I also met Uncle Idris (Elba) and told him I loved his work.

If you could be on the line up with any two artists in history?
Anderson .Paak and Bombay Bicycle Club, both have had a huge influence on me musically - I feel as though the transition sonically from one artist to the other would be cool to spectate.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
There’s always been an interest for me in indie culture, particularly the fashion. I implement some of it in how I dress with my monochrome colours, beanies, Vans/Doc Martens, cuffed jeans or trousers. I spent my teen years in the Midlands between Coventry and Northampton, both of which have great music scenes and historic emblems of fashion. So I took a little inspiration from both and now here I am, living my best carefree Black boy, plus size life.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Probably Kaytranada, I think we could bang out a tune in 60 minutes.

Of all the venues you’ve been to or played, which is your favourite?
Selling out my Village Underground show last year was a full-circle moment for me. From going there as a fan to see shows, to opening for my friend Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly to headlining my own show there was nuts! The energy in the room was magnetic, I can’t wait to do the same thing at Scala in May, bring back some of that intimacy I miss.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Alexandra Ampofo, she gave me first ever slot at Boxpark Live in Shoreditch five years ago and has been consistently working her arse off in this industry. If you know, you know. Give her all the flowers.


Jordan Mackampa will release his debut album 'Foreigner' on 13th March 2020. He will also be heading out on a tour of North America, UK and Europe in support of the album. Further details available at www.jordanmackampa.com.

04Playlist Notes

The first track you played on repeat?
'The Avenue' by Roll Deep. A classic.

A song that defines the teenage you?
'Beggars' by Bombay Bicycle Club. I had this album on repeat for way too long, or some might say not long enough.

One record you would keep forever?
'Whoa' by Snoh Aalegra.

A song lyric that has inspired you?
“Still don't know my origin,
Still don't know who's listening,
Still can't tell the difference between,
Strength and my conditioning.”

From ‘Water’ by Kojey Radical (ft. Mahalia).

The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'10%' by Kaytranada ft. Kali Uchis.

A song you wished you had written?
'Weird Fishes/Arpeggi' by Radiohead.

Best song to turn up loud?
'Fluorescent Adolescent' by Arctic Monkeys.

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Like Before You Were Born' by DIIV.

Best song to end an all-nighter on?
'Trippy' by Anderson. Paak (ft. J Cole).

Any new music you are listening to right now?
'Disco' by Surf Curse.
'Cross My Mind' by Joe Hertz, Sophie Faith.
'Ava' by Pip Millett.
'Talk In The Morning' by Sam Wills.
'George' by Arlo Parks.

03Interview

Name, where are you from?
Jordan Mackampa - North London raised, now South London living.

Describe your style in three words?
Monochrome, layered, minimal, cool af. That's four words, couldn’t resist.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
There’s a few that come to mind but two years ago I saw Kendrick Lamar at the O2. I had just moved back to North London at the time, wasn’t really sure where my music career was heading, false promises being made and things I wanted to do kept falling through, but I went to that gig and felt reborn afterwards. He put on a masterpiece performance from start to finish, there was never a moment where I felt a dip in quality. Visionary. I also met Uncle Idris (Elba) and told him I loved his work.

If you could be on the line up with any two artists in history?
Anderson .Paak and Bombay Bicycle Club, both have had a huge influence on me musically - I feel as though the transition sonically from one artist to the other would be cool to spectate.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
There’s always been an interest for me in indie culture, particularly the fashion. I implement some of it in how I dress with my monochrome colours, beanies, Vans/Doc Martens, cuffed jeans or trousers. I spent my teen years in the Midlands between Coventry and Northampton, both of which have great music scenes and historic emblems of fashion. So I took a little inspiration from both and now here I am, living my best carefree Black boy, plus size life.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Probably Kaytranada, I think we could bang out a tune in 60 minutes.

Of all the venues you’ve been to or played, which is your favourite?
Selling out my Village Underground show last year was a full-circle moment for me. From going there as a fan to see shows, to opening for my friend Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly to headlining my own show there was nuts! The energy in the room was magnetic, I can’t wait to do the same thing at Scala in May, bring back some of that intimacy I miss.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Alexandra Ampofo, she gave me first ever slot at Boxpark Live in Shoreditch five years ago and has been consistently working her arse off in this industry. If you know, you know. Give her all the flowers.


Jordan Mackampa will release his debut album 'Foreigner' on 13th March 2020. He will also be heading out on a tour of North America, UK and Europe in support of the album. Further details available at www.jordanmackampa.com.

04Playlist Notes

The first track you played on repeat?
'The Avenue' by Roll Deep. A classic.

A song that defines the teenage you?
'Beggars' by Bombay Bicycle Club. I had this album on repeat for way too long, or some might say not long enough.

One record you would keep forever?
'Whoa' by Snoh Aalegra.

A song lyric that has inspired you?
“Still don't know my origin,
Still don't know who's listening,
Still can't tell the difference between,
Strength and my conditioning.”

From ‘Water’ by Kojey Radical (ft. Mahalia).

The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'10%' by Kaytranada ft. Kali Uchis.

A song you wished you had written?
'Weird Fishes/Arpeggi' by Radiohead.

Best song to turn up loud?
'Fluorescent Adolescent' by Arctic Monkeys.

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Like Before You Were Born' by DIIV.

Best song to end an all-nighter on?
'Trippy' by Anderson. Paak (ft. J Cole).

Any new music you are listening to right now?
'Disco' by Surf Curse.
'Cross My Mind' by Joe Hertz, Sophie Faith.
'Ava' by Pip Millett.
'Talk In The Morning' by Sam Wills.
'George' by Arlo Parks.

 

05Videos

Jordan Mackampa | Magic (2020)

Jordan Mackampa | Parachutes (2019)

Jordan Mackampa | What Am I (2019)

Jordan Mackampa | One In The Same (2018)