Tottenham raised me” For Nippa, Homegrown isn’t simply a title. Across an evening spent moving between stories of Tottenham, family, frustration and the freedom he has found thousands of miles away in LA, home remained the point everything returned to. At 45 Curtain Road in Shoreditch, the idea was given an intimate setting. The dimly lit room had the character of an old-school bar, low lighting, soft furniture and bar occupying the space. Guests gradually filled the room, with food allowing the crowd to settle in whilst DJ Dynamic played throughout the night. The setting created a relaxed atmosphere before everyone eventually turned their attention to Nippa and DJ Ace. As ‘Talking To The Mirror’ played, the room shifted from conversation to attention. Having just heard Nippa explain to DJ Ace where the song came from, there was a sense that the crowd wasn’t simply hearing a new project but being given an insight into the experiences behind it. The lyrics landed differently with that context. Nippa doesn’t shy away from self-reflection on Homegrown, explaining that the opening track was born from thoughts of wanting to “talk about the reality of my situation and wanting more for myself.” For him, the record became a conversation:

After the track played, Nippa spoke about the subtle frustration behind it, questioning, “Why am I still in this position, man?” He reflected on what he had witnessed around him and the effects it had on his family, while still finding himself connected to the environment he was trying to move beyond. That context gave the opening track added weight. Rather than simply presenting his circumstances, Nippa is examining them from a place of greater self-awareness. As he weaved through conversations about how each song came about, he gave the room a collection of thoughts and experiences that shaped Homegrown. ‘Talking To The Mirror’ therefore felt like an introduction not only to the project, but to the perspective behind it. But Homegrown doesn’t stay in that reflective space for long.

But Homegrown doesn’t stay in that reflective space for long. As the project moved forward, the mood in the room shifted with it. ‘Bittersweet’, produced by Kaytranada, and ‘Just Vibe’ brought a more up-tempo, dance-ready energy, giving the crowd room to let go and simply enjoy the music. Both tracks capture different sides of Nippa’s experience away from Tottenham, as he navigates life thousands of miles from home, family and friends. Against their lively production, he explores the distractions that come with being in LA. This spans everything from women and partying to simply getting caught up in the motion of a new environment. Nippa shared how enjoying these moments requires a balance, joking that the EP was made going “back and forth” between London and LA, with “the depressing stuff in London” and “the vibey stuff in LA.” As he put it:

The comment brought some humour to the conversation but also highlighted the contrast running through Homegrown: the weight of home and the freedom that comes with growing away from it. That distance, however, never seems to become detachment.

The Kaytranada collaboration also carried its own significance, with Nippa sharing his appreciation for Rance, whose involvement helped get the link-up underway. Hearing ‘Bittersweet’ in the room, with its infectious production and the crowd moving along to it, offered a different but equally important side of Homegrown. One where Nippa is simply allowing himself to enjoy the moment. Speaking about how he envisions the track being experienced, Nippa said:

The idea seemed to echo through the room as the music video for ‘Bittersweet’ played on the projector behind him, adding a visual layer to the atmosphere he had just described. For a moment, the song felt less like something to simply listen to and more like an invitation to lose yourself in it. This could be seen in the swaying and bobbing of heads throughout the crowd. As the night approached its final track, just as the room prepared to hear it, Nippa decided not to play it. The decision left the crowd in suspense, turning what could have been a final preview into a moment of anticipation for its eventual release. Nippa then answered questions from his supporters concluding with what Homegrown means to him:

He spoke proudly about what he has been able to do for his community and reflected on the significance of seeing his mum attend his shows in LA; a reminder that even as his world expands, the people attached to where he began remain part of that growth. The crowd sung Happy Birthday to DJ Ace, before Nippa called on DJ Dynamic to continue playing music. As he ushered in the night’s close, the furniture was removed, allowing everyone to come together and party. It was a fitting close to the night: a communal celebration that brought Homegrown back to its central themes of community and growth.

What began as a listening session had turned into something closer to a communal celebration. And perhaps that is where Homegrown makes the most sense. Nippa may be navigating new cities, new experiences and a life increasingly removed from the environment that shaped him, but growth here isn’t presented as an escape from home. It is about discovering how far you can go without leaving where you came from behind.