RUNNING A VICTORY LAP

Sitting at the helm of the show is Joe McDermott, whose dedication to music and the culture of UK Rap has seen his passion project snowball into his full-time job. “I'm a lover of music but not actually a musician myself, so the radio show was just a way of me to be able to promote a lot of my friends who are rappers, producers, DJs, singers etc,” says Joe, “I think my strength has always been in the creative and curation - all I ever wanted was to have a show that could put people on to what good stuff was happening in the underground in London.”

From underground heroes of UK Rap Kirbs, BXKS, Ashbeck, and Rushy, to household names like Dave and Central Cee, the platform has hosted a wealth of UK talent, focussing on showcasing the artists’ skills without taking itself too seriously in the same breath. Attracting the attention of global names like Drake, VLAP’s prevalence has continued to rise as a hotbed of UK creativity. A rite of passage for many aspiring MCs, the platform’s open-door policy has fostered an environment that encourages community spirit – something that is vehemently desired in the modern era, where we collectively yearn for the authentic in the digital world.

When we trace VLAP’s rise as a subcultural staple in UK Rap, it’s evident immediately that the platform has been forged in a fire of passion and dedication over the past five years. Creating a community along the way, VLAP’s monthly show encapsulates what community can be when it isn’t forced and it’s an authentic by-product of true culture. Reminiscent of Grime’s infamous MC clashes on Lord of the Mics, albeit substantially less competitive, VLAP’s cyphers, radio shows and events offer a platform for the new generation of British MCs, where the emphasis is less on competition and more on enjoying themselves. A springboard for young talent, VLAP’s rise has seen the platform become a place where dreams of becoming a renowned MC can be fulfilled. “The most inspiring thing is seeing what kind of impact being on the show can have for artists. Whether that's them gaining new fans or being granted opportunities,” says Joe, “my radio show, that started as a passion project on the side of my day job with a handful of my friends, being a place where people can come and leave with new fans is definitely a satisfying feeling.”

This feeling that the station is an ever-expanding group of friends permeates throughout VLAP’s outlook, with the show hosting a variety of new artists as well as a host of regulars who have been showcasing their skills since the very beginning. “There isn't an ulterior motive with VLAP which is why artists feel comfortable and want to be a part of the show. We're not a collective or a closed group of certain individuals, we're always looking for new people to come on and feel a part of the show and what we're growing.” Through talking to Joe, it’s clear that his passion for the radio show has been a driving force in its success, although it’s his dedication to showcasing the talents of musicians he admires that has propelled VLAP on even further. “It's gotten bigger and more important than what I had imagined when I started VLAP which is great - I didn't envision it being as impactful as it has been when I started it. It was just started for fun so this new community that's been built from it has been a pleasant surprise and I now feel a responsibility to be able to keep building onto it and taking it further for the sake of the scene.”

Two rappers who have become a part of the wider VLAP crew are Kirbs and BXKS (pronounced Beks), from Highbury & Islington and Luton respectively. Finding Victory Lap through friends, as seems to be the case with a lot of the musicians the platform features, Kirbs connected with the station through his friend Kayode, who works at London’s latest and most hyped streetwear brand, Corteiz. Having started rapping during lockdown, the young North London rapper ended up exploring his creative talents as an outlet for having fun with his friends in a time of restriction, during Covid lockdown; “I had a lot of time on my hands, so I decided to start writing music for fun with my guys and filming iPhone freestyles on our block.” Finding VLAP, Kirbs built on these skills that he first explored in 2020, further becoming enmeshed in the UK Rap scene. Speaking on VLAP, Kirbs reflected, “I don't really class myself as an MC/Cypher type rapper, so being in that space was fun and I learnt a lot from people. It gives a platform to artists who have talent but are often overlooked. It's a very creative space with different types of artists.” Appearing on the show several times throughout the past few years has paid dividends for the young rapper, with him releasing “Back to Business” and “The Game” on Central Cee’s label Live Yours. With only a few singles released, it’s clear that Kirbs is just starting his journey, and VLAP has been a big part of that process.

Having collaborated with VLAP for their first in-person cypher in July 2023 with her GOTNODATA platform, BXKS found herself further involved with the radio station. “I’ve always been a fan of Victory and what they stand for,” says BXKS, “it’s important because it creates a sense of community among all of us. It’s a safe space for MCs and artists to let off some steam.” With material dating back to 2020, BXKS has been steadily dropping solo and collab tracks that display her versatile approach. From club-ready heavy hitters like “Back It Up” to tracks that show off her lyrical ability, such as “Cheque”, BXKS’ talent on the mic in undeniable. What specifically strikes a chord is the importance amongst the musicians that perform on Victory Lap is its potence as a space for decompression, for enjoying the art of rapping and for nurturing the next generation of talent. “It helps shed light on upcoming talent and MCs that you may not have known about but are really good,” BXKS comments, “it’s a good platform to find raw talent.”