I'm thrilled to be part of this forthcoming exhibition celebrating Black History Month, hosted by Beatport at Farsight Gallery, London. The exhibition pays tribute to the cultural legacy of four groundbreaking electronic music genres of Black origin: House, Techno, Jungle, and UK Garage.
As one of the featured photographers, alongside legends Normski, Eddie Otchere and Dave Swindells, I’ll be showing some images that represent the moment when these genres collided to create dubstep.
Join us for the launch event on October 15th, where Josh Caffé, Ama and Mr. Redley will provide insights into their musical journeys. The evening will close with a DJ set by Ama.

5 Years of GD4YA

This year is a special one for me with several anniversaries, including 20 years of my Drumz Of The South project and 5 years of GD4YA.
GD4YA, the record label founded by Sam Levo, is dedicated to releasing the authentic sounds of South London via artists like Benny Ill, Karma, Yaw Evans and El-B. The label draws inspiration from the rich musical heritage of the area, particularly the dark garage and early dubstep scenes that emerged from places like Streatham and Croydon.

Photos from Boiler Room at Three Mills Island

A few of my favourite photos from Boiler Room at Three Mills Island last Saturday.
A return to collective joy with camera...the music was amazing and the vibes were nice and warm.

New Portrait Photography

Here’s a round-up of some portraits all taken in the second half of 2020, and Jan 2021. The bulk of them were taken at two different Boiler Room events, and feature Rada, Bina, fellow photographer Lou Jasmine, Mr Eazi and Haich Ber Na. There is also one of Sagal, taken for GD4YA records. It’s been really lovely meeting new people during the pandemic, especially as it hasn’t happened that often.

The Medium is the message- an article about Dubstep Forum's legacy

A big thanks to Richard Akingbehin who wrote this really well researched and thoughtful feature about the Dubstep forum and its impact on the evolution of Dubstep. It’s illustrated with 5 of my photos of the early Dubstep scene, from my Drumz Of The South series.

I was happy to be mentioned in the feature for my contributions to Dubstep Forum in the form of links to my Flickr Albums of events like DMZ, FWD>> and Skull Disco.

I was an active user of the forum from 2004 onwards and it was very important in building my network and growing an audience for my music photography. I made friends through the forum that I am still in touch with today and while as Richard points out, the forum went from being something fairly intimate to an absolute beast, it’s still very close to my heart!

All of my GD4YA record label photography so far!

I just LOVE LOVE LOVE seeing my photography transformed into the record labels for GD4YA’s releases! Putting them together like this, you can really see what the art direction is all about! The photos are fairly close to those seen in my original Drumz of the South series which wasn’t just about dance-floors & DJs but the environment & the streets I walked around or that the music came from.

Mr Eazi & Young Zilo Boiler Room event photography

A couple of weeks back I had the pleasure of capturing some event photography for Boiler Room x Ballantine’s True Music In The Round. This was the first proper socially distanced live music event that I’ve documented since the pandemic so it felt really exciting to be in among the action again.

BTS with Vision of Sound Podcast

In August I launched Vision of Sound, a fortnightly podcast series in which I chat to other artists and creative people that make work about or inspired by music.

Guests include Jeremy Deller, Wumzum & George Nindi, Emma Warren and Lil Ye’s Ali Graham.

You might notice that while I am a music photographer, there are no music photographer’s mentioned, but do keep an eye on the next episode as they are on their way!

It had been a while since I had a consistent medium to channel my love for and interest in other artists and creative people- whom I’ve championed in various ways throughout my life via zines, or blogs or events. As a fan of podcasts and radio shows like Stance, Creative Rebels, London Scenery and George The Poet, audio seemed like the obvious way to do it.

8 PHOTOS FROM SOUTH CIRCULAR AT LIGHTBOX

Photos from the 2nd SOUTH CIRCULAR at LIGHTBOX, MARCH 2020 by Georgina Cook

Happy 15th BDAY to DMZ All-Nighter

Happy Birthday to DMZ’s All-nighter which began 15 years ago on a Saturday in the basement of a church in Brixton. Here are 6 pictures from the event, featuring Skream, Kode9, Bandit, Scientist, Plastician, Mala, The Nameless Dread, Chef and the Stamina Gang. x

REWIND! Re-visiting The Carvery Studio (& meeting Leo The Boxer dog)

This week I had the pleasure of returning to Carvery Studios, in their new Leyton location.

I first met Carvery while on assignment for FACT Magazine, photographing a story about London’s Mastering Houses and it was really nice to see how much they’ve grown since then.

A Night at Steam Down in Photos

A night with Steam Down

Thanks again to the Steam Down crew for giving me their blessing to document the night which was not only the release of their brilliant single Free My Skin, but also the first time keys player Dominic performed his own music under the name Doom Cannon.

Documenting Steam Down: Ready to Fly

Ready To Fly: Pre-show at Steam Down, Deptford, by Georgina Cook

There’s a buzz in the air, the musicians are on their way down the stairs and in the centre, a couple enjoying some pre show screen time and very aptly, the Steam Down flag, designed by Wumzum, ready to fly with the music.

Photos from Boiler Room Festival's Bass Day

A few photos from Boiler Room Festival's Bass Day at The Bussey Building in Peckham last Friday. I was very happy to be showing a version of my “Who Wants A Rewind?” installation as part of a great line-up of music, art and poetry. This time the images were shown on a wall of tiled TV screens.

Showing Early Dubstep Photography at Boiler Room Festival

I will be showing some music photography from my Drumz Of The South archive as part of Boiler Room Festival 2019: Day 3 - Bass THIS FRIDAY EVENING (11th October).

From The Archives: May Day 2000 Protests

Some archive photos from The May Day Riots / Reclaim The Streets protests on May 1st in the year 2000, in Central London, by Georgina Cook 🌹💪

"A Fortnight of Tears"

Whether a secret & sweaty new jazz night (where phones & camera’s on the dance floor are frowned upon) or the High Art of The White Cube; London’s art often remind me that there is so much power in expression; not least the work of the YBA’s such as Tracey Emin, which I’ve sort of grown up with.

Inspiration is a two-way thing. Thank you Selfridges!

Just wanted to say a big thank you to Selfridges and DARSI specifically, for inviting me to their skate bowl to talk about my experiences photographing music!

I’ve been speaking quite a bit over the past two years about photography, grime, youth culture, the early dubstep scene and contemporary music history and always really enjoy sharing my experiences with and passion for those subjects. It’s even better when I get the chance to have conversations with the audience because then it’s a two way thing!

TalksGeorgina Cook12 March 2019SelfridgesSelfridges, Yellow Drop, Street, Fashion, Skate, Skatebowl, talks, Retail, London, style, designers, high street, influencers, Londoners, LFW, BAPEComment

New work / Portraits of Francis Redman

A recent night-time portrait session with the multi-hyphenated Mr Francis Redman, radio broadcaster, DJ, designer and owner of the Trouble in Utopia record label. Shot in Clapton, East London, where red roses bloom in January.

Chatting about LDN music on Clare Considine's new radio show

Last week I was invited by writer and now broadcast journalist Clare Considine to talk about my relationship to London music for her new show on Radio Primavera Sound “London Scenery.”

The show is on air at tonight (16th Jan) at 9pm UK time and 10pm Spanish time.

LISTEN HERE: https://www.primaverasound.com/radio/shows/london-scenery/london-scenery-1x01

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