“This is the first proper picture of us together.”
That was Westy’s reaction when he saw the photo of us shared on the Arsenal website, and honestly, it hit different.
We’ve been friends for most of our lives, yet when you’re deep in it, you forget to pause and capture the moments.
That’s also why we’ve been quiet on here. We’ve been heads-down, focused on doing the work, but we haven’t been sharing the journey. That changes now.
Being invited to be part of the No More Red program with Arsenal & Addias means so much to us. We remember Holloway before the Emirates. Things were very different. Abandoned buildings were our playgrounds and I’m not even exaggerating.
I still remember the day I stopped my bike to photograph the change coming to our doorstep. I was so excited. So proud that we were finally getting something nice.
To us, No More Red is vital community work focused on helping young people experience their world safely. An initiative I wish our generation had. The same reason we created Gain Ctrl, because it’s what we wanted growing up. (Shoutout Westy’s old home studio setup 😂 mine wasn’t much better)
So many of our old members have reached out with incredible messages, and there’s one word they all used when describing what Gain Ctrl was to them: home.
And that is what Emirates has always been for us. A part of home to be proud of. Something that brings hope.
Here’s to community, togetherness and home. North London Forever.
Sem - Gain Ctrl Founder
It feels crazy writing this, but Gain Ctrl is now officially over ten years old! We made our first instagram post on the 5th June 2014 and started our first sessions in what was then called Platform just a few weeks before.
So much has happened in that time that we’re proud of and we really wanted to post a celebratory video but the thing is, we’re too busy working on all our exciting new plans 😅
We will get around to it, but for now let’s just enjoy the milestone and celebrate all of the amazing people we have worked with along the way.
All of our previous members, we hope you’re all still creating and carrying those good vibes! Shoutout to our current members also! All the amazing partnerships we’ve had with other organisations over the years and who could forget the amazing previous Gain Ctrl staff members that helped us get to this point.
Huge thanks to each and every one of you!
Big news coming, but for now, go listen to some @officialericiv in celebration 🎉
Ready to elevate & progress your music? Our new additional Camden location with Go Forward Youth offers a fresh unique studio and more.
Collaborate directly with our seasoned team, known for their work on Potter Payper’s award-winning album and other accolades. Each member is credited on UK #2 albums and even a #1 hit on the US Billboard charts. Together, we’ll craft a plan tailored to you.
Our proven support system has propelled our members to independent chart success. Just last year, we saw Gain Ctrl alumni Eric IV as one of only two features on Fredo’s Unfinished Business album that hit #9.
So don’t miss out. We’ve got limited spots available for our Camden offer—apply now! Islington studio attendees are also welcome; we’re committed to maximising your growth.
We’ve not posted on socials much because we’ve been busy doing the work
But here is a little reminder that at Gain Ctrl don’t tell you how we think it’s done, we show you how we do it
Our facilitators 6th top 5 project, let us help you work towards yours
See you next week!
The weather might be cooling down, but things are going to be heating up with GainCtrl!
New term, new energy, new music and new progress. Our weekly sessions are back at @platformislington ! Come down Tues and Thurs 4-8pm for the drop in sessions.
Another #gainctrlboothbars, this time from @labuzzworl who has a lot of music on the way! Stay tuned to GainCtrl for more information and get in touch if you want to get involved in what we do.
Can’t believe we’re already over half way through the year, time is moving so fast
Let’s make sure our work rate keeps up, where are you at with your goals for this year?
Come in on Tuesday to assess and plan to make sure you hit your targets
Brand new #GainCtrlBoothBars series, and what better way to kick things off than with rising Islington talent @nb.2x check him out and expect more soon!
If ever there was a word to describe Jamal it would be supportive
Jamal loved all things that celebrated and supported UK’s youth culture. And that’s why he instantly loved GainCtrl and was involved from the very beginning in 2014
We would speak about bringing what was at Platform to every London borough and beyond. And when Jamal could find the time he did just that, starting his own youth service with @jedelve
Rest in peace my friend, your energy will be missed but your work shall continue to grow.
As much as we can appreciate some classical music now and then, we have always been led by our young people. And that’s why Gain Ctrl has and always will champion rap music, the real sound of Islington
And it’s something we do well, given both Sem and Westy have played huge roles in developing many of the boroughs biggest rap artists
Artists like Islington legend @squeekstp who has racked over 40m YouTube views alone
We go above and beyond for our members weekly, like Westy recently producing the new single for recent @blackboxhub / @fullypaid_clothing U18’s highlight @tyfundo . A single that in just two days had over 100k plays
We will share that soon but for now check out our favourite part of the cypher featuring the man himself
#GainCtrl #SoundOfIslington
Islington has a strong new generation of talent, and we’ve been lucky to work and support most of them
Tho to be honest it hardly felt like work with @ezyblk , in and my it the booth in no time so he could get back to messing about with the others
You would often see him dancing around the building, rolling around on a chair or laughing while trying to share the story of something that happened earlier that week
We love Ezy and can’t wait to not only see more music videos but also the behind the scenes footage full of jokes
#gainctrlmembersclub
#SoundOfIslington
If we didn’t push for our members to own their creative rights and publishing we would have signed @eloi_music ten times over by now
This self produced singer songwriter has everything needed to make some incredible music, we feel it’s only a matter of time before something really special happens here
Working in the studio with Eloi is such a enjoyable experience only topped by the amazing live performances that have been the highlight of any showcase
We look forward to hearing a lot more in 2022
