Blue Lab Beats - North London Pace (Official Video)
Blue Lab Beats Drop “North London Pace” and Announce a New Album for 2025.
GRAMMY winning and five time MOBO nominated duo Blue Lab Beats are back with “North London Pace”, the first glimpse of their forthcoming fifth studio album due next year.
Fresh from their headline show at the Jazz Café, the track channels the raw spark of the duo’s jam sessions across London and beyond. It opens with crisp, staccato jazz phrasing and 70s leaning fusion before sliding effortlessly into a velvety hip hop instrumental. The slick transition speaks to the long honed chemistry between NK OK and David Mrakpor, a partnership that has powered their sound since day one.
Accompanying visuals pay homage to tap dance, tying into Blue Lab’s deep commitment to Black creative expression and the wider jazz lineage. As the duo point out, tap and jazz have always shared a political and cultural heartbeat, each offering its own voice within the same tradition.
The release caps off a huge run for the London pair: from winning a GRAMMY for their work on Angelique Kidjo’s “Fired Up”, to a three night Royal Albert Hall takeover and a packed out headline moment at JAZZ RE FEST. Their live shows, a riot of drums, keys, guitar, horns and guest vocalists, continue to mark them out as one of the UK’s most electrifying jazz acts.
Starting life as bedroom producers remixing Dua Lipa and Rag’n’Bone Man, Blue Lab Beats have evolved into one of the most sought after production outfits around, collaborating with everyone from Masego to Kojey Radical. They remain one of the few artists ever granted a Fela Kuti sample clearance, a rare nod of approval that underlines their global standing.
With more than 85 million Spotify streams, a Jazz FM Innovation Award and performances everywhere from Montreux to Tokyos Blue Note, the duo continue to push jazz into new territory. Their commitment to community runs just as deep, with mentoring, masterclasses and hands on support for emerging musicians woven into their work.
Following last year’s critically acclaimed Blue Eclipse, “North London Pace” marks the start of an exciting new chapter, one that promises to cement Blue Lab Beats as key architects of the UK’s evolving jazz future.