PUMA and Hypebeast Hosted “Suede Sessions” in London

Under the arches of Waterloo in London, Hypebeast hosted “Suede Sessions” in collaboration with PUMA last week. Inspired by generations of music subcultures connected to the iconic Suede silhouette, the event set out to platform the distinct sounds and eclectic genres shaping the local music scene today.

As the first event of its kind, Yussef Dayes was enlisted to unite emerging music artists and a handful of established rappers, musicians, and vocalists through a unique two-part format. Comprising an artist workshop, followed by a live performance later in the day, each activation was hosted by the drummer and composer who brought his genre-blending jazz to the forefront.

Dayes kicked off the event with the music-making session. Acting as a creative incubator, the workshop saw the drummer offer advice to help the participants elevate their respective sounds. After collaborating, the workshop culminated in a collective jam as the artists showcased their latest material to the group.

A few hours later, the venue was prepared for a live performance headlined by Dayes. In keeping with the graffiti-emblazoned tunnels outside, it was lit up in moody orange lights and featured spray-painted branding on the walls around the main stage. Elsewhere, a pop-up studio was erected for guests to take their own Polaroid portraits.

For the first performance, Nepali-American singer-songwriter Parijita set the mood with her ballads, layering deeply melodic vocals and gentle piano notes. London-based music duo ZENA then picked up the tempo, playing a mix of Ethiopian-inspired jazz and dub. Riffing on the melting pot of music styles, Saiming, a rapper hailing from South London, followed on with his blend of grime and neo-jazz.

In a crescendo to the night, Dayes took the stage for the final performance. Having recently announced a feature in Wyclef Jean’s new album Q, guests crowded around eager to get up close to listen to his latest music. Over the 30-minute set, he opted for a mix of tracks from his albums, including Black Classical Music, while also going freestyle to honor the playful and experimental edge of London’s music scene.

If you missed out, check out what went down at “Suede Sessions” in the gallery above.

You can also shop the latest colorways of the PUMA Suede on the brand’s website, global stores and partner retailers.

Click here to view full gallery at Hypebeast