has been involved in soundsystem culture since childhood. Some of her earliest memories are standing close to bass bins at Bradford Carnival, with family and friends toasting their heritage and the sounds of the Caribbean.
A fixture on the UK dance scene, Nia Archives scooped a coveted Mercury nomination for her excellent debut album. A few weeks ago, follow-up album ‘Emotional Junglist’ was named on the competition’s shortlist for 2026 – could it go all the way…?
Nia will be celebrating in the only way she knows how. The jungle artist hits today (August 22nd) at the behest of close friend and collaborator Jorja Smith, part of an intense summer of activities.
This month, Nia Archives joined Hennessy to toast 60 years of Notting Hill carnival, linking with Notting Hill Carnival CEO Matthew Phillip and Rhythm Section guru Bradley Zero to build the ultimate carnival playlist.
The influential trio took part in a special Q&A at Peckham venue and community space Jumbi to inaugurate the partnership, one that continues with a number of carefully curated events throughout August.
Lucky us, CLASH chatted to Nia Archives over t’interweb to discuss her passion for soundsystem culture, her glowing new album, and that all-important Mercury nomination.
Do you remember your first time at carnival?
My first carnival was actually Bradford Carnival! Which we used to run up here. My family were involved so I’d been on floats. And I loved it. I’d normally be the last one standing!
Even from a young age you knew where you wanted to be.
What kind of music did they play?
Oh all sorts but our floats would normally have soca.
Soca is the lifeblood of carnival.
Yeah. It’s definitely the soundtrack of carnival. In the past few years there’s been a debate about the type of music that gets played, and I think it’s good that different cultures and backgrounds do get represented but soca is the root of it all.
When was your first trip to Notting Hill Carnival?
I came down when I was a kid in the late 2000s with my mum. My first adult experience was when I was 17, 18 and I came down with some friends.
What are some of your memories of that first time?
I mean, it’s incredible – it’s kind of too much to take in at first. I just loved it – there’s so much variety between the soundsystems. I loved it, it’s one of my favourite days of the year.
The sounds have grown so much, and there’s so much diversity now – you can even get Brazilian music, for example – but it’s all rooted in the Caribbean.
What is it that makes carnival so special?
It’s a good question. The atmosphere is really what makes it. And there’s a community aspect which you don’t always see in London.
They’re just a lot friendlier up North aren’t they Nia?
This is a great project, what was the attraction of taking part?
It’s great to be associated with, and to be associated with Hennessy, as they do a lot with carnival. Making the playlist was a great challenge – we got to choose 20 tracks each. It was a real education, seeing what everyone chose. I went with 20 jungle tunes!
We all need some system rattlers at carnival, don’t we?
We do! It’s what I play, and it’s what I’m drawn to at carnival. Playing systems like Original Soundboy. That’s where my ear goes.
But you can find anything at carnival. It can be spiritual, or you can get really messy with it. Especially on the Monday – the adult’s day!
You must have played Notting Hill carnival a few times now?
I have, yeah. I’ve been lucky enough to do that. I’m always really nervous – it’s my most nerve-racking set of the year! Getting to the stage with my equipment is a mission, weaving through the crowds. And there’s also so much competition – the Original Soundboy guys will be making exclusive dubs for weeks, tweaking all their productions. You have to be on your game! But it’s friendly competition.
What was your ultimate carnival pick overall?
On the night I went with Ranking Ann, ‘Liberated Woman’. It’s from her album ‘A Slice Of English Toast’, which nobody seems to know but it’s a brilliant album!
Do you think it’s part of your role as selector to educate people about releases like that?
Definitely. I think as selector you’re introducing people to music that they might not know, which might also become their favourite songs.
Jumbi is a great space, and part of a new wave of listening bars opening up across London and beyond. Have you been checking those out?
Yeah I have, and I always enjoy them. I’ve actually been lucky enough to travel to Japan a few times, so I’ve seen listening bars at the source, they’re amazing out there!
And also: congrats on the new album! I think ‘unanimous acclaim’ just about covers it. How do you feel?
I think I’m relieved?! If I’m being really honest. It’s definitely an evolution in my sound, and I wasn’t sure everyone would follow me on it… but it seems to be going down really well. For me, it’s committing to the bit, seeking out the way I’ve been going over the past six years. But it seems to be connecting with people.
It’s an amazing blend of your jungle roots with alt guitars – was it hard to strike that balance?
I think so. The last album, I was very conscious of representing the jungle lineage I work in. Whereas with this project, I learned to let go of some of those pre-set rules.
It’s quite a personal record as well, and while I might end up cringing at some of the things I saw 10 years down the line it felt right for me. Everything I’m talking about is real, it’s what I’ve been experiencing, so I have to be true to myself.
It’s been a big few weeks for you because you were given a Mercury nomination!
Oh I was so surprised when that happened! It was great. I wasn’t sure if it would get nominated as it’s only just come out. I’m looking forward to going to Newcastle, and we might throw a party while we’re there, look out for that one!
‘Emotional Junglist’ is out now. Hennessy continues their Jumbi takeover throughout August. Notting Hill Carnival takes place in West London over August Bank Holiday weekend.