Rappers Lounge / Rappers Circle
There are certain gatherings that go beyond being simply an event. They become an opportunity for people to come together, reconnect with one another, celebrate a shared culture and, sometimes, remember someone who left a lasting mark on their lives. On 8 October 2023, the hip hop community came together at Hekspace, 33 Pepper Street, 14 NRP, for a special edition of Rappers Lounge / Rappers Circle, dedicated to the memory of their dear friend Defesis (1976–2018). It was a night built around hip hop, live performance, friendship and remembrance — bringing together people who shared a passion for rap while honouring the life and memory of someone who was no longer there to share the moment with them. 8 October 2023 | Hekspace, 33 Pepper Street, 14 NRP Entry: £10 | Livestream: $1
A Gathering in Memory of Defesis
The story behind the event was deeply personal. Defesis, who lived from 1976 to 2018, was remembered not simply as someone who had passed away, but as a friend whose presence and memories continued to mean something to those around him. The decision to dedicate the Rappers Lounge / Rappers Circle to his memory gave the gathering a different kind of meaning. It was an opportunity for friends, artists and members of the wider hip hop community to come together and celebrate the person they remembered. Rather than allowing the occasion to be defined only by loss, the evening created a space for people to remember Defesis through something full of life — music, conversation, performances and community. That is one of the things that makes music so powerful. A song, a verse, a familiar voice or even simply being surrounded by people who shared the same memories can bring the past into the present.And on this night, hip hop became part of that remembrance.
While the tribute to Defesis was at the centre of the gathering, Rappers Lounge / Rappers Circle was also a celebration of hip hop and the people who continue to keep the culture alive. The event provided a platform for rap artists and hip hop enthusiasts to come together in one space and experience the energy of live performance. For an audience that appreciates the art of lyricism, rhythm and storytelling, the night offered an environment where the music could take centre stage. Hip hop has always been more than just a genre of music. It is a culture built around expression, identity, storytelling and community. Rappers Lounge / Rappers Circle reflected that spirit by creating a setting where people could come together around the music they love. There was no need for the evening to be about spectacle alone. The real value was in the people in the room — the artists, friends, supporters and fans who contributed to the atmosphere and made the gathering what it was.
One of the significant features of the evening was the appearance of renowned UK rap icon Blade, known for his work associated with Mark B and Blade. Blade's involvement brought an important connection to the history of UK rap and added another layer to an evening already centred on the culture. For followers of British hip hop, Blade represents part of a generation of artists who helped establish and develop the sound, identity and underground spirit of UK rap. His presence at the tribute made the occasion even more meaningful, bringing together remembrance of a friend with a celebration of an important part of hip hop culture. It also reflected the wider purpose of Rappers Lounge / Rappers Circle — creating opportunities for artists, audiences and people connected to the culture to share the same space.
The Rappers Lounge / Rappers Circle Spirit
At its heart, the concept behind Rappers Lounge / Rappers Circle is about bringing people together. It is about creating an environment where rappers can express themselves, where audiences can experience live music and where people with a common interest in hip hop can connect. The 8 October gathering carried that spirit while adding a particularly personal purpose. People were not simply attending another night of entertainment. They were coming together for someone they cared about. That combination of music and memory gave the event its own character. The performances provided the soundtrack, but the people and the reason behind the gathering gave the evening its emotional foundation. For those who attended, it was an opportunity to spend time with friends, meet fellow lovers of hip hop, enjoy live rap and take part in something that honoured the memory of Defesis.
One of the most important parts of any event is the audience. Without the people who show up, support the artists, share the experience and contribute to the atmosphere, even the best-planned event can feel empty. Rappers Lounge / Rappers Circle brought together a community of people who understood the importance of the occasion. Some came because of their love for hip hop. Others came because of their connection to Defesis. Some came to support the artists and the organisers. Whatever brought them through the doors of Hekspace that evening, they became part of the same gathering. That is what made the night more than a collection of performances. It became a shared experience.
There is a unique relationship between music and memory. A particular song can take you back to a particular period of your life. A familiar beat can remind you of a person. A verse can bring back a conversation or a moment that you thought you had forgotten. For a tribute such as this, that connection becomes even more powerful. The evening allowed Defesis' memory to exist alongside the very culture that brought his friends and community together. Instead of simply looking back, the gathering created new memories while honouring old ones. Every person who attended carried away their own experience of the night. For some, it may have been a particular performance. For others, it may have been seeing old friends again, meeting someone new, sharing stories or simply being part of the atmosphere. Together, those individual experiences became part of the story of the evening.
The event took place at Hekspace, 33 Pepper Street, 14 NRP, providing the setting for this intimate celebration of hip hop and remembrance. The venue became a meeting point for artists, friends and members of the community, giving everyone a shared space in which to experience the evening. With an entry price of £10, the event was made accessible to those who wanted to attend in person, while a $1 livestream option also allowed people who could not be physically present to connect with the event remotely. That meant the tribute could reach beyond the people inside the venue, allowing others to participate in the evening from wherever they were.
More Than Just One Night
Although Rappers Lounge / Rappers Circle — A Tribute to Defesis took place on 8 October 2023, its significance does not end with the closing of the event.Events like this become part of a community's history. The photographs, videos, performances, conversations and memories created on the night become records of a particular moment — something that can be revisited years later. For Grinders & Shakers, documenting these moments is important because events are not only about what happens on the day. They are also about the stories that remain afterwards.This event deserves to be remembered because it brought together two important elements: the celebration of hip hop and the remembrance of a friend.
A Tribute Through Culture
The most fitting way to remember someone connected to a creative community is often to continue creating. Rappers Lounge / Rappers Circle did exactly that. Through rap, live performance and the coming together of friends and fellow creatives, the evening transformed remembrance into celebration. It recognised that while Defesis could no longer be physically present, the memories people shared with him could continue to be carried forward. The night was therefore not only about looking back at 1976–2018. It was also about celebrating the people, relationships and culture that continue beyond those dates.
Today, the event stands as a memorable chapter in the Rappers Lounge / Rappers Circle journey.On 8 October 2023, Hekspace became the meeting place for a night of hip hop dedicated to a friend whose memory remained important to the people around him. With performances, community, the presence of UK rap icon Blade, and an audience united by music and remembrance, the evening offered something that went beyond a conventional rap event. It was a celebration of a life remembered. A celebration of friendship. A celebration of hip hop. And most importantly, a gathering of people who came together to say, in their own way.