Hot Press & Jack Daniels' Backyard Beatz lights up Whelan's

Backyard Beatz, was conceived as a night of super cool, rising hip-hop and dance, presented by Hot Press and Jack Daniels. And that's what it turned out to be! It made for a lively, fun ansd musically savvy evening, in Dublin's iconic Whelan's. With DJ sets by DJ Jesse, Mona-Lxsa, and CC, and a special guest appearance by ENI, the Camden Street venue was the place to be last night.

Kicking off the night was Mona-Lxsa, a multi-talented DJ who's been busy reinventing Dublin's music scene, creating GXRL CODE, a collective for women across the industry and generally making good things happen. Mona-Lxsa is hot off a busy summer of festivals including sets at Electric Picnic, Longitude and Body & Soul. The Dublin-based DJ graced Whelan's last night with an eclectic track list that flowed together superbly.

She had the whole room getting down to The Notorious B.I.G.'s 'Juicy' and 'Hypnotize', and Slum Village's 'The Look of Love'.

Mona Lxsa at Hot Press + Jack Daniels present Backyard Beatz at Whelans. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

Up next was DJ CC – all the way from Limerick. The DJ/producer has been spotted playing club sets alongside Jax Jones, MK and more, as well as performing with Denise Chaila, MuRli and God Knows at Electric Picnic, as part of their new collective Narolane. CC effortlessly mixed songs from different genres, creating an impeccable vibe that the crowd adored. There was high energy in her set with tracks like Travis Scott's 'SICKO MODE' and Cardi B's  'Up'. CC and Mona-Lxsa danced on stage together, their contagious energy spreading into the crowd.

Mona Lxsa and CC at Hot Press + Jack Daniels present Backyard Beatz at Whelans. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

Very special guest ENI made an appearance, joining all three DJs on stage to perform. Dublin-born and Galway-raised, ENI's music celebrates her mixed Irish, Nigerian and South American nationalities. She was on fire delivering her hip-hop meisterwerk 'Boss Flow', released in July. The song has no hook, no chorus, just straight bars that blew the crowd out of the water.

ENI at Hot Press + Jack Daniels present Backyard Beatz at Whelans. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

Last – but certainly not least! – DJ Jesse took to the stage to close out the night. He is a self-described multi-genre DJ, who sure knows how to get people dancing. He opened with a Snoop Dogg track, while rapper Mister KYB hyped him up and ad-libbed into the mic. The energy was beyond high at this point.

Jesse spun fan-favourite throwbacks like Montell Jordan's 'This is How We Do It', Souja Boy's 'Crank That (Soulja Boy)', Beyonce's 'Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)' and more. Dancers Adam O'Rua and Suleman Sode tore up the dance floor, drawing everyone else into the circle to show off their moves.

DJ Jesse at Hot Press + Jack Daniels present Backyard Beatz at Whelans. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

Backyard Beatz was truly a night to remember - filled with great music, fab Jack Daniels cocktails, loads of energy and a rocking crowd. On this evidence our emerging DJ crew members have lots to offer. Hopefully, we'll be returning to the Backyard soon...

Hot Press + Jack Daniels present Backyard Beatz at Whelans. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.