Hot Girls

HOT GIRLS is a new female focused, music centred conversation pulling back the curtain on the tenacity required to forge a career in the creative industries, and the resilience necessitated to stay there.Examining the intersection of music & contemporary cultureHOT GIRLS is a chronicle of the fighters, the divas & the dreamers.

This week, Lex was joined by Selina Hannaford (Luna Lisabet), a spoken-word artist, photographer, and the founder of creative platform and management agency, Luna Legacy. Selina has had a fascinating career journey, really finding her passion and tribe after some personal battles. We spoke about her influences growing up, the role of the manager and how to create and manage events against the challenges of London night life. Artists Mentioned:KDotMelody, Fela Mi, Maverick Quest, Kendrick Lemar, Shocka, D Double E, FKJ, Masego, J Cole, Subten, Elliott Yorke (Ebow), Nas, B.I.G., Common, Talib Kweli, Pharrell, Snoop Dogg, Jagged Edge, Dave, Kojey radical, George The Poet, GhettsLuna Handles:IG: @lunalisabet / @wearelunalegacyTwitter: @wearelunalegacyHost Handles:Insta / Twitter / Soundcloud: @LexOnTheDecks

For the penultimate episode of Season 1 I wanted to bring it closer to home and look at one of the only female MCs to have sat at the top of the UK charts. It sounds like an exaggerated statement, but it isn’t. That woman is Ms Dynamite and her voice was one of the defining sounds of early millennium music. She’s a brilliant blend of grime and dub basslines with really smart lyrics and has been the winner of a mercury music prize, mobo awards and brit awards. She’s also the older sister to Akala who also started his career as a rapper but went on to write the novel “Natives”; a fascinating book which challenges the British squeamishness about it’s class and race issues, both his experiences of them and also the history as to how we’ve got to the oppressive place we’re in today. I was interested to know what background and education Ms Dynamite had had, particularly knowing that these two very successful individuals grew up together - what lessons on success did they learn which we can listen to.As always, this isn’t just a biography, but we’re looking at the decisions she made in her career and challenges, to get to where she has.Hot Girls Handles:Mixes - https://soundcloud.com/lexonthedecks/sets/hot-girls-the-mixesPlaylist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0M8WInsGc6kYGht82WXPgzInsta - @LexOnTheDecksTwitter - @LexOnTheDecksTiktok - @LexOnTheDecks

This week I'm joined by the super talented Producer and DJ, Melle Brown. Having done a taster course in music production when she was 14, Melle became comfortable with Logic early on, releasing her first EP Blossom as her dissertation project. Having met label owner and Radio DJ Jamz Supernova at a Soho House event, Melle ended up releasing her second EP "Intersection" on her label Future Bounce. It's house at its centre but with soul infusions. As a DJ she's played for the likes of Gorrilaz, Little Simz, Lovebox Festival, AFROPUNK & more.Melle and I chat about her life, from stage school to radio, to DJ booths and the family that's supported her through it all.Artists mentioned:Omar, Oli Hannaford, Jazz Supernova, Tiana Major9, LayFullStop, Blue Canarino, Goldlink, Emmavie, Digital Mozart, Blue Lab Beats, KG, High Class Filter,IntalektMelle Handles:IG: @melle.brownTwitter: @melle_brownSC / Spotify / Apple: Melle BrownHost Handles:Insta / Twitter / Soundcloud: @LexOnTheDecks

This week we are going to be exploring the life of the soulful, seductive, romantic and mysterious Sade. One of the most successful solo female artists in the history of British music, Sade’s iconic sound blended elements of jazz, soul and funk to create a timeless sound which has been lusted after by listeners for decades. In fact, she has released a successful album in every decade since her initial 3-hit series in the 80s. One of the amazing things about Sade was that she achieved an incredible amount of success without being an active figure in the media.As always, this isn’t just a biography, but we’re looking at the decisions she made in her career and challenges, to get to where she has.Hot Girls Handles:Mixes - https://soundcloud.com/lexonthedecks/sets/hot-girls-the-mixesPlaylist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0M8WInsGc6kYGht82WXPgzInsta - @LexOnTheDecksTwitter - @LexOnTheDecksTiktok - @LexOnTheDecks

This week Lex is joined by Bklava. A multi-talented artist and DJ from London who's singles are distinctive for their fresh, restrained take on Garage. Known for singing and DJing at the same time, Bklava also co-founded the female and non-binary DJ platformSpin Suga, which has a radio show on Brighton stationPlatform B,as well as hosting DJ workshops and panel talks. Bklava also did a mix which you can listen to on the Hot Girls mix series on Soundcloud.Songs Played:Bklava - Got it GoodBklava - Through the NightArtists Mentioned: Wookie, Aretha Franklin, Amy Winehouse, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Rosalia, Yaeji, AMAGuest Handles:FB: /bklavadjInsta: @BklavaSoundcloud: /BklavaHost Handles:Insta / Twitter / Soundcloud: @LexOnTheDecks