Live report: Metro Boomin at Deviation

KOKO in Camden set the scene for Metro Boomin’s return to London at Deviation on Saturday night. Strolling up the street towards the venue you couldn’t miss the musical mob of forward thinking Deviation followers, eagerly waiting to burst open the doors and sink into some blazing trap sounds.

Deviation regular Martelo didn’t hold back while warming up for Metro. I propped myself on a balcony and witnessed Skepta’s new force Man being unleashed to an army of grime fans who'd probably had the track on repeat since it dropped online first thing Friday morning. 

Step forward Metro Boomin with the most exclusive DJ/producer drop in hip-hop right now: “If Metro don’t trust, I’m a shoot you…” Future’s distinctive voice looped through KOKO and the intensity of the ravers popped off.

The young producer sliced up some of Atlanta’s new school anthems, laying down a proper journey into the roots of trap music from the get go. Mosh pits were standard and even dance offs fired the masses up to a new level. Metro shouted out UK fans who’ve been there from day dot as he dropped his earliest material and of course it didn’t go a miss – showcasing just how much Deviation's following know their shit.

After tearing the place up with Drake and Future's Big Rings, the Atlanta master-producer switched up the pace and entered into the realms of Kanye West's ‘The Life Of Pablo’ material. Throwing down some of his proudest Yeezy productions such as FML and Waves, before bouncing out and letting London know that Metro Boomin most definitely trusts our city.

To wrap up the evening, Deviation’s creator and chief Benji B jumped on the decks with Judah to do what he always does best: slay the dance floor. Benji's sharp ear and passion for Transatlantic sounds have helped to build an underground tunnel between the UK and US scenes, with Saturday night being yet another prime example of that.

Big up the Deviation crew!