Prom 64: The Breaks @ Royal Albert Hall (6 Sept)

On August 11, 1973, an 18-year-old, Jamaican-American DJ who went by the name of Kool Herc threw a back-to-school jam at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in the Bronx, New York. During his set, he decided to do something different. Instead of playing the songs in full, he played only their instrumental sections, or “breaks” – sections where he noticed the crowd went wild. During these “breaks” his friend Coke La Rock hyped up the crowd with a microphone. And with that, Hip Hop was born.

In a celebration of the music that laid those foundations, co-curators Jules Buckley and Chris Wheeler  reimagine the iconic tracks originally played by DJs such as Kool Herc.  Conducted by Jules Buckley, The Heritage Orchestra along with a stellar cast of special guests  present an exhilarating, 90-minute non-stop musical exploration into ‘The Breaks’; the culture-defining music that has inspired the world of scratch DJs and breaking since the 70’s.

‘The Breaks’ features performances from Atlanta-based singer-songwriter Mattiel. A masterful front woman and BBC 6 Music favourite, her booming, instantly arresting , blues-rock edged voice places her as one of rock’s most electrifying young talents.

The line-up also includes percussion-based funk group Ghost-Note. Headed by Snarky Puppy’s percussion duo of Robert ‘Sput’ Searight and Nate Werth, the band provide funk music with a futuristic edge, their sound infused with their own fresh tastes of Afrobeat, Hip-hop and Psychedelia.

Also performing is one of the world’s top breaking crews, the UK’s very own Soul Mavericks, who represent  UK B-boying to the highest level alongside a live dance battle between B-Boys Kid Karam of SMAC 19 Crew (UK) and Lagaet of Momentum Crew (Portugal).

Completing the line-up is UK turntable royalty and four times World DMC Champion Mr Switch, who is noted for his versatility, party rocking and scratch skills.  Powerful soul vocals come courtesy of Alice Russell, Brendan Rileyand Vula Malinga.

Expect performances of historic and modern-classic breaking tunes from the likes of James Brown, Incredible Bongo Band, Herbie Hancock, Lyn Collins, Kool & The Gang, The Herbaliser, Madcon and Poets of Rhythm.   Let battle commence!

6 Sept, Prom 64: The Breaks, Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London, SW7 2AP, Box Office 020 7589 8212, Seated tickets are still available and £6 ‘Promming’ tickets can be purchased on the day of the Prom. https://www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/proms/bbc-proms-2019/prom-64-the-breaks/