The latest episode of Vice Versus, an original weekly urban culture series on London’s Babelgum Metropolis channel, takes a look at an emerging club scene in London catering to those with hearing difficulties. Known as Deaf Raves, these so-called hard-of-hearing parties are organized by deaf people for deaf people and include a wide range of music styles such as, reggae, R&B, house, and drum and bass.

The music is turned up loudly enough where partygoers can feel the strong vibrations through their bodies from the bass.

According to the program, London was lacking social events for deaf people–such as parties or discos, which sparked the idea by Troi "Chinaman" Lee to create a club experience for them. The first Deaf Rave, which initially drew in 300 international deaf people from Poland, America, Japan, Sweden, and Italy, has turned into a global phenomenon, with raves popping up in England and spreading through Europe. These Deaf Raves include high-energy MC’s and DJ’s, which further add to the joyous atmosphere.

 

Every Tuesday, Vice Versus takes Babelgum viewers to another of the world’s major cities to unearth underground scenes and cultures. Vice Versus is the first VICE production for Metropolis, the Babelgum video channel dedicated to urban culture, art, design, and fashion.

[Source: Vice Versus]