Not just a collective by name, NiNE8 are determined to do things differently. Their inclusive and eclectic approach to writing and production has seen their ‘No Smoke’ series of experimental hip hop mixtapes rewrite the rules on creativity and collaboration.

The nine-strong crew insist on writing everything together in the same room, thinking out loud and sharing credit equally, whether everyone eventually features on the music or not. This egalitarian approach is about more than just the music though. According to producer Mac Wetha, ‘Anyone who thinks like us is part of the gang’. Well then, count us in!