Jun 20 2022

Strawberries & Creems 2022: A Fun Day Out at Saturday’s S&C Despite Rain

The much-loved Cambridge festival was hit with major setbacks as the weekend approached. The three-day festival became a two-day festival as the Friday lineup was dropped. To add salt to the wound, fans have to wait longer for Lil Wayne’s return to a UK stage as the Home Office rejected his VISA application, and as a result, he was no longer able to headline the Saturday lineup. Nonetheless, Grammy-award winner Ludacris took a break from shooting the latest Fast & Furious film to step in for Weezy’s vacant boots.

The Atlanta-rapper reminded everyone why he dominated the charts in the noughties. Running through staple tracks like “Area Codes”, “Southern Hospitality”, “What’s Your Fantasy” and many more. He also performed a slew of classic features like his verse on Fergie’s “Glamorous” which is of course topical now thanks to Jack Harlow’s viral track “First Class”. Luda had the crowd moving when he performed his verse on Usher’s ubiquitous track “Yeah!” and closed the show with his monster of a hit “Move Bitch” which expectedly caused a rampant mosh pit in the pouring rain.

Whilst Luda was the main act, Tion Wayne and his crew ran through his bangers with his huge hit, “Body”, which features Russ Millions, causing bedlam among the on-watching S&C faithful. What many, and myself included, weren’t expecting was to see popstar La Roux come out to perform the chorus on his latest track “IFTK” which samples her 2009 single “In For The Kill”. UK Rap DJ Kenny Allstar brought out a host of UK rap stalwarts including North West’s leading rapper, Nines and Potter Payper who paid his respect to the recently-passed-away UK media legend, Jamal Edwards, with a moment’s silence.

Although there was Ludacris and a number of the UK’s best talent on the main stage, I spent most of my time at Girls Can’t DJ’s stage which brought all the vibes for revellers to really rave it out in Cambridge. Playing the best of dancehall, afrobeats and R&B classics with Kiss FM’s Henrie hosting to keep everyone going. Fans were delighted to see Katy B come out and perform her bangers including the UK club classic “Katy on a Mission”. The Girls Can’t DJ stage captured the mood of the day; rain or shine, the vibes have to continue!

Despite the number of setbacks, the weather and disruptions Saturday’s 2022 Strawberries & Creems was a reminder of how much people have missed being outside to enjoy great music and great vibes. We can’t wait for next year’s!

Words by Gerald Onyango

If I was a celebrity I'd be Will Smith. If I was an album I'd be The Low End Theory. My party trick is that I can tell you the year any rapper was born.