Kwake Bass

Giles King Kwakeulati Ashong, known as Kwake Bass, is from Lewisham, South London. A keen drummer since the age of 5 years old, his passion has led him to become musical director for both Sampha and Kate Tempest’s latest tours. He has played with the likes of Lianne La Havas, Mica Levi, Joey Bada$$, MF DOOM, Roots Manuva, Shabaka Hutchings, Novelist and his own four piece - Speakers Corner Quartet and duo =CoN+KwAkE=. His role as a producer has grown through his exploration of live electronic improvisations and the studio experimentation of what lives between the cracks of structured programming. In addition to music, a working relationship with production company Lemonade Money is in place, having presented his own segment in ‘Oh My Gosh’, a production made for Red Bull TV.

Kwake’s first solo collection: DEM1NS - pronounced “Dem Ones” - is the capsule collection comprised of both music and clothing, of which a collaboration with fellow South London creatives DONE London has yielded the apparel. DEM1NS is the product of Kwake’s journey experimenting with his own street culture, but as a phrase it's a common term to acknowledge a situation with an air of fluidity and demonstrating flexibility with an ability to adapt to change. This ability to adapt is a strength of Kwake Bass in both musical and cultural situations and his creative output demonstrates how such flexibility can become an asset when carving a path for yourself.