Listen to a playlist of soundsystem bangers from General Levy, Toddla T, Naomi Cowan, Idris Elba

Notting Hill Carnival is just around the corner, which means that in just a few days’ time, you can expect to hear a barrage of soundsystem scorchers direct from some of London’s biggest and best carnival floats. Think huge feather plumages, colourful costumes, and massive jungle cuts blasting from three-story soundsystems – West London is about to get rowdy.

This year, an unlikely link-up between four carnival legends is taking place on the Rampage stage as things kick into action on day one. Actor-turned-DJ Idris Elba is joining forces with some longstanding carnival favourites General Levy, Toddla T, and Naomi Cowan to celebrate the release of their new reggae-bassline banger, ‘We Run The Area’, a collaborative track released earlier this summer, just in time for carnival.

So to warm up for their set this Sunday, Idris Elba, General Levy, Toddla T, and Naomi Cowan have selected three tracks each that are sure to pop off on a hefty soundsystem – some of their favourite carnival-ready cuts. Check it out below.

“A timeless classic, this one always gets me hyped”

“Such a mad tune, a masterpiece!”

“Proper wicked tune, so crisp – one of the best”

“Set the tone & let them know yuh come fi war”

“Can’t go wrong with empowering women in the crowd!”

“The general of clash music, Bounty always finds a way to empower the people with grit”

“Test your subs with this UK classic”

“Northern soundsystem sheller from Manchester’s Chimpo – this got a massive forward when we drew it in Sheffield recently”

“Biggest tune from Trini Carnival this year which is gonna do absolute madness on the truck”

“Probably the first dancehall-style rhythm everyone could DJ on King Jammy’s”

“The message and the vibe are special. It’s a time travel rhythm, iconic!”

“Because it was the first rhythm we would train on, DJs used to chat on it – it’s a classic old skool MC tune”

Toddla T, Naomi Cowan, General Levy and Idris Elba are performing on Notting Hill Carnival’s Rampage stage at 3:15PM on Sunday, August 27. Listen to their new track, ‘We Run The Area’, below

Gemma Ross is Mixmag’s Assistant Editor, follow her on Twitter