ILUVLIVE’s new home at Proud Galleries, Camden worked well for the floods of people coming in from the cold for the first ILUVLIVE of 2010.

Some slipped round to the bar for a beer then found a comfy spot to take in the night's proceedings, while others... they were clearly upset that Ras Kwame wouldn’t be on hosting duties. However, once they discovered that the incomparable Little Man - in his rolled up jeans and 'I love girls' socks - would temporarily replace Ras, all was well with the world again.

'Oli, oli, oli's were met with 'oi oi oi's (and 'wedidit' with 'wediditagengengens'), as Little Man kick-started the night of music with a little comedy.

An eclectic range of artists stepped onto the platform throughout the night. Northern lass Roxxxan performed two tracks. Shaking off the nerves and spittin’ hot, rapid-fire with a tight flow like only Brummies do, the lyrical lady demonstrated how she won-over audiences at Industry Takeover and the previous ILUVLIVE.

Genesis Elijah was next. He came on like an axe-swinging warrior on a warpath, almost taking stage equipment down as he stormed back and forth on stage. "If you don't give a fuck what the government say..." Seemed to go down well with the crowd.

With a full live band and about 6 inches on her heels, the stunning Wreh-Asha took her place on the stage and blew us away within the small time she was given. More impressive than her vocals were the well-written verses of 'Superwoman'. The band made way for Little Man to introduce Fumin, who has returned to the grime scene after his long hiatus, proving that even time couldn't mess with the skills. It might be his ability to write songs and not just bars that has set him apart from most of the original grime squad in my mind.

Headlining act Clement Marfo & The Frontline were more like a full on musical experience than a band. The brilliance behind the band is their ability to enjoy their own performance with each member smiling and loving every moment on stage. Clement flows confidently over the tight live set until the last song, which turns out to be second to last as the audience scream for an encore. The organisers conceded defeat as Marfo and the gang jump into ‘A Whole Lot Of Malibu’, ending on a great high.

CLEMENT TIME: MR MARFO & BAND GIVE IT TO THE PEOPLE

The open mic finished off the night with singers, rappers, poets (and a keys player) battling against 60 seconds on the clock for the crowd’s approval and a chance at winning a slot a the next show. Once the winners were announced, Twin B spun back into action and kept the party going well past 12 O'clock.

• Check out the photo gallery here

WORDS: LAWRENCE GICHIGI

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