Hennessy is celebrating the 60th anniversary of Notting Hill Carnival with a special archive of 60 records chosen by Nia Archives, Bradley Zero and Notting Hill Carnival CEO Matthew Phillip.
For six decades, music has been at the heart of Notting Hill Carnival, providing the soundtrack to one of the UK’s biggest and most influential cultural celebrations.
To mark the Carnival’s landmark 60th anniversary, Hennessy has partnered with three voices deeply connected to its musical heritage — Mercury Prize-nominated artist Nia Archives, Rhythm Section and Jumbi founder Bradley Zero, and Notting Hill Carnival CEO Matthew Phillip — to curate an archive of 60 records that have shaped their experiences of Carnival.
The resulting Hennessy 60 Years of Notting Hill Carnival Sounds archive celebrates the records, artists, sound systems and musical movements that have helped define Carnival across six decades.
A Musical History of Notting Hill Carnival
From reggae, calypso and soca through to jungle, UK garage, dancehall and grime, Notting Hill Carnival has played an important role in introducing generations of British audiences to Caribbean music and influencing the UK’s wider musical landscape.
The official Notting Hill Carnival website confirms that the event is celebrating its Diamond Jubilee in 2026, with the main Carnival taking place across Sunday 30 and Monday 31 August.
The story of Carnival began in 1966, when community activist Rhaune Laslett organised a street party designed to bring together a neighbourhood affected by racial tension and social division. Music quickly became central to the celebrations, with steelpan pioneer Russell Henderson and his band helping establish the procession that would evolve into today’s Carnival.
Now, 60 years later, music remains one of Carnival’s defining features.
Nia Archives, Bradley Zero and Matthew Phillip Choose 60 Records
Rather than simply creating a conventional playlist, Hennessy’s archive draws on the personal Carnival experiences of its three curators.
Matthew Phillip, CEO of Notting Hill Carnival, brings a perspective rooted in protecting and preserving the event’s cultural heritage.
Nia Archives, whose own music is heavily influenced by jungle and sound system culture, has selected records connected to her experiences of Carnival and the wider musical influences behind her work.
Meanwhile, Bradley Zero, founder of Rhythm Section and co-founder of Peckham cultural hub Jumbi, has helped bring the archive to life through a month-long programme of events.
Matthew Phillip said:
“For sixty years, Carnival has been powered by its music. It’s part of how its story has been told, generation after generation.”
He added that the sound of Carnival belongs to “a whole community” encompassing sound systems, steelpan, organisers and everyone who has helped carry its musical heritage forward.
Nia Archives said being involved in the project was particularly meaningful because she “grew up around sound system culture”, adding that Carnival has played a major role in shaping her own sound.
Hennessy Carnival 60 Comes to Jumbi in Peckham
Throughout August, the archive will be showcased at Jumbi in Peckham, transforming the South London venue into a hub celebrating the sounds and stories behind 60 years of Notting Hill Carnival.
Visitors can explore the vinyl archive through listening experiences and crate-digging sessions, alongside a programme of live events and community gatherings.
The programme includes:
12 August – Heartless Crew Terrace Party
UK sound system favourites Heartless Crew will celebrate 30 years of UK garage, jungle and dancehall with a special terrace party.
15 August – Jumbi Jamboree
The free community gathering on Peckham Rye Common will bring together South London DJs, live performances, food and conversation, with a special appearance from British reggae pioneer Dennis Bovell.
An afterparty will then continue the celebrations at Jumbi.
20 August – Juls ‘Junction’ Listening Party
Grammy-nominated producer Juls and Jamaican artist Projexx will celebrate their collaborative album Junction, bringing together Ghanaian rhythms and Jamaican dancehall.
25 August – Linett Kamala
British Caribbean cultural pioneer Linett Kamala, one of the first women to DJ at Notting Hill Carnival, will share her experiences and selector skills during an evening dedicated to music and conversation.
The programme reflects the sheer breadth of Carnival’s musical influence, from reggae and dancehall to jungle, UK garage and Afro-fusion.
Stream the 60 Notting Hill Carnival Records
For those unable to make it to Jumbi, the complete Hennessy 60 Years of Notting Hill Carnival Sounds archive is also available to stream on Spotify.
Bradley Zero said Jumbi’s focus on music selection and deep listening made it a natural home for the archive.
“Notting Hill Carnival taught a lot of us that a record isn’t just something you play but it’s something you carry, share and pass on,” he said.
The archive therefore serves as more than a collection of songs. It documents how records have travelled through generations and how Carnival has helped shape London’s evolving musical identity.
Hennessy and Notting Hill Carnival
Hennessy’s relationship with Notting Hill Carnival extends beyond this year’s anniversary celebrations.
The brand has previously supported local independent businesses around Carnival, including working with London artists to create bespoke artwork for corner-shop boardings during the Carnival weekend.
For 2026, Hennessy is also releasing a limited-edition Spirit of Carnival bottle, inspired by the Caribbean and the communities that have helped make Carnival what it is today.
At Jumbi, the limited-edition release will feature in a special cocktail menu, including the Henny & Ting, Hennessy Cooler and Henny Mule.
The campaign forms part of Hennessy’s wider relationship with music, culture and community. You can find out more about the brand via the official Hennessy website.
Notting Hill Carnival Turns 60
The Hennessy archive arrives during a particularly significant year for Notting Hill Carnival.
The official 2026 programme runs from 29–31 August, beginning with the UK National Panorama Steelband Competition on Saturday before the main Carnival celebrations on Sunday and Monday.
The organisation has described 2026 as a celebration of six decades of costumes, colour, steelpan, calypso, soca, sound systems and community.
Beyond the Carnival weekend itself, a wider programme of exhibitions, conferences and cultural events has been taking place throughout the year to explore Carnival’s history and future.
With Hennessy’s 60-record archive, another important part of that history is being preserved — through the songs that have provided the soundtrack to generations of Carnival-goers.
Notting Hill Carnival 2026 takes place from 29–31 August in London. For the latest information, schedules and events, visit the official Notting Hill Carnival website.
