Joseph McDermott is widely regarded across the UK as one of the most important cultural figures in the rap landscape having founded, nurtured and grown his platform Victory Lap. Since its inception in 2019, Victory Lap has been broadcast as a live monthly radio show on the independent station Balamii, showcasing some of the very best UK talent in the scene via freestyles and cyphers recorded on a fisheye camera in the corner of the studio.
Over the years, Victory Lap has built a strong community of rappers, DJs, producers and singers who share a joint passion for creating and celebrating musical talent. From underground UK rap heroes such as BXKS, Ashbeck and Rushy, to more established names such as Dave and Central Cee—who passed by the studio to deliver freestyles as part of the Victory Lap x Corteiz collaboration and their only promo for smash hit “Sprinter”—Victory Lap continues to be a rite of passage for many as it continues to foster and encourage a community spirit and in-person authenticity which we find ourselves drifting away from in the rapid-growing digital world. As a result, the platform has deservedly garnered a huge amount of attention for its contribution to the rap scene, which recently included a 20-page spread in THE FACE shot by legendary photographer Simon Wheatley and a Supreme feature in Japanese tastemaker POPEYE.
Having just moved to a brand new studio space, Victory Lap will always continue to make huge amounts of noise for artists who are on the come up. With plenty more in the locker, we caught up with VLAP founder Joseph McDermott to chat more about his story and the platform…
How’s this year been for you? Have you achieved everything you set out to?
It’s been a transitional year for myself and Victory Lap, we embarked on a new partnership with NTS and obtained our own new studio space / office. It was a long time coming and we have spent 6 months in limbo working on it. So we haven’t put out as much as stuff as we probably intended to this year but it was very important for us to take our time and lay the foundation down right for us to build. Now our first episode is out in the new space and we’re ready to keep on going strong.
What are your earliest musical memories and what did you grow up listening to?
Cliche answer but I’ve always had a really diverse music taste influenced quite heavily by my Dad. The first concert I ever went to was with my family to see French band: Air. When I got in to discovering music for myself I listened to a lot of rap music and a lot of hardcore / punk stuff. I spent my teen years going to a lot of rap shows and punk shows, which I still do now. I played bass in a shoegaze band as a teenager and used to spend all my spare money on grime vinyl’s as I learnt to DJ. I think I’ve always just loved and been fascinated by music that strongly makes you really feel something.
You founded Victory Lap back in 2019, what inspired you to start it? And how did you go about setting it up initially?
It started out on a friends trip to New York where we were doing DJ sets at Half Moon Radio and The Lot for fun and we needed a name to go under for the set to be uploaded. We went back to the airbnb and brainstormed it and I landed on the name Victory Lap being braggadocios, fun and encompassing of what we were playing at the time (my friend Brandon weirdly has the exact moment recorded on a voice note). When we returned to London I wanted to keep doing radio shows and inviting my friends on to feature. I got a slot on Balamii once a month and it kind of snowballed and found itself from there. After COVID I really wanted to focus on live guests and on the mic performances after missing human contact for years— that’s when Victory Lap you see today with cyphers and multiple guest performers really began to take shape.
How’s the journey been so far and did you expect it to take off like it has?
It’s been great and no I never did, to be honest, I never thought or planned for this to become my full time job or for it to become as important as it’s become for the culture. I just did it for fun in my spare time as a passion project as I juggled multiple retail jobs and struggled to pay my rent. But I think the passion and fun surrounding Victory Lap is what has lead to it’s success—genuine passion can be infectious.
What are some of your personal highlights with VLap over the past five years?
A lot of shows to shout out but of course the Dave & Central Cee episode was our biggest moment, it was great that the two biggest superstars in the UK wanted to come and do our show, and it was amazing being able to put some of the best up and coming underground guys in the same session as them. Our Supreme feature in their London editorial was beyond a dream come true for me and my friends, and our 20 page piece in The Face Magazine shot by our legendary Uncle: Simon Wheatley holds a special place in my heart. Also our recent party in Paris with NTS & Jah Jah was definitely fun.
Do you think the UK rap scene is in a good place right now?
Definitely I think it’s the most diverse it’s ever been and it’s the most the entire underground scene has supported and pushed each other in a long while. Everybody in the scene are genuinely friends. Victory Lap sessions kinda showcase the different sounds, styles etc and how they can all live together and how everybody is supportive and celebratory of everything that is going on. We just gotta keep pushing!
How do you stay motivated? What drives Joseph McDermott?
I just love doing what I’m doing so it’s been easy for me to keep pushing and working hard. The great music that comes out from my friends keeps me motivated to push the platform because I really believe in the sounds we’re promoting. I’m also surrounded by like-minded people who are super passionate and driven about whatever it is they’ve got going on too, that always helps.
Quickfire Questions:
An album you have on repeat at the moment?
I keep listening to the soundtrack from this anime, ‘Neon Genesis Evangelion’, on the train right now. Haha, I listen to a lot of weird albums in the background on my travels. Singles I’m playing religiously right now though; Jim Legxacy – “Aggressive”, Chy Cartier – “YO”, Brian Nasty – “Here With You”, FimiGuerrero & Len – “Excuse My French” and LV – “Shit Talking”.
Favourite restaurant in London right now?
Recently went to Dalla in Homerton, best Italian food I’ve had in London. Lebanese Grill in Elephant is bait but goes super crazy too.
If you were curating Glastonbury, who would headline and why?
Young Thug & Daft Punk co-headline because why not? Chief Keef is the special guest.
Three UK artists to look out for next year?
LV, kwes e and Chy Cartier.
Best music venue in London?
Anywhere that’s small with a good sound system.
Favourite magazine?
I love Dizzy Mag, Lily Pad & Popeye. Shout out to The Face & Dazed too, especially for being the first magazines to put us in print.
What makes you get out of bed in the morning?
“If not us then, who else?”