Linett Kamala Reinvents Maypole Dancing with Bass, Lights and Urban Beats

Linett Kamala, a British-Jamaican DJ, artist and educator, has revitalised the traditional maypole dance by integrating it with dancehall, drum’n’bass and contemporary visual elements. Initially encountering the maypole in her youth in the UK, Kamala witnessed the practice fading from schools as multicultural activities gained prominence. Decades later, during a visit to Jamaica, she discovered children continuing the maypole tradition in a rural school, maintaining it with joy despite its colonial origins. Inspired, Kamala brought a maypole back to her London community centre and began hosting workshops, blending history, art, and music. Her signature creation, the Basstone Maypole, features LED lights, a bass bin and Tannoy speakers, transforming the dance into an immersive sound and light experience. The initiative has resonated with people across generations, allowing participants to reconnect with cultural heritage while celebrating creativity and diversity. Kamala emphasises that traditions such as the maypole can be reimagined to reflect modern, multicultural identities, demonstrating the intersection of English folk heritage, Jamaican cultural practices, and contemporary urban art.