Music And Charity Shine At GRM Gala 2025

Last night saw the sixth annual GRM Gala, held at the exclusive Hurlingham Club in Fulham. Hosted by GRM Daily, the leading music platform for Black British music, it’s a celebration for the scene to get together in their finest outfits within luxurious surroundings. Guests of note this year included the likes of Jordan Adetunji, Krept & Konan, Alesha Dixon, Jamelia, Keisha and Mutya from Sugababes, and British rap legend, Bashy.

But all guests most definitely fulfilled the “Dress to Impress” dress code. Women’s outfits were shimmering in the afternoon sun, while the men looked slick in slim-fitting suits, loafers and occasionally, sporting a cigar. Everyone knew to look the part because the venue was sprinkled with plenty of photo moments, including a giant “GRM GALA” sign in mirrored gold letters, not to mention a floral arch with neon branding at the entrance.

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An event like this needs plenty of sponsors to bring it to life, including Moët & Chandon, Rock Angel, Volcan, and Belvedere. But Hennessy was definitely the one delivering this to guests in spades. There was one full bar offering plenty of Hennessy cocktails such as Gala Tropic (Hennessy and pineapple juice) and Capone and Nore (Henessy ginger mojito), as well as champagne. But when this became a little congested, there was luckily a Hennessy cart outside offering Henny-Ritas (the Hennessy twist on margaritas) which meant a fresh drink was never more than a few steps away.

Food was provided by Fireaway Pizzas, which wasn’t quite the level of catering one might have expected from an event so opulent in most other ways. But a highlight had to be receiving a delicious Crack Cookie as you exited, which was the perfect late-night snack for the car ride home.

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The main difference at this year’s gala was the charitable element of the event. When invited, guests were asked to make a mandatory contribution supporting The African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust (ACLT). “Our mission raises awareness of the shortage of diverse donors, as a matched donor from the same ethnic background can significantly improve treatment outcomes. The ACLT provides hope to patients living with blood cancer and blood-related illnesses, such as Sickle Cell, as well as directly influencing policy change to ensure equitable treatment is available regardless of ethnicity. We are driven by a belief that no one should die waiting for a donor to become available.” The invite made it clear that 100% of these funds will go directly to ACLT, and towards the end of the evening, GRM’s founder, Posty, presented the charity with a cheque for over £41,000.

For a platform like GRM Daily that has been there from early blogging days and seen itself through a rapidly changing music industry and social media era, it makes sense to couple a night of celebration and joy for the scene, with one of charitable endeavours for causes that directly affect that same community.

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Words: Nicola J Davies // @nicola_jdavies
Photography: Lawrence Howe + Linalaythi

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Last night saw the sixth annual GRM Gala, held at the exclusive Hurlingham Club in Fulham. Hosted by GRM Daily, the leading music platform for Black British music, it’s a celebration for the scene to get together in their finest outfits within luxurious surroundings. Guests of note this year included the likes of Jordan Adetunji, Krept & Konan, Alesha Dixon, Jamelia, Keisha and Mutya from Sugababes, and British rap legend, Bashy.

But all guests most definitely fulfilled the “Dress to Impress” dress code. Women’s outfits were shimmering in the afternoon sun, while the men looked slick in slim-fitting suits, loafers and occasionally, sporting a cigar. Everyone knew to look the part because the venue was sprinkled with plenty of photo moments, including a giant “GRM GALA” sign in mirrored gold letters, not to mention a floral arch with neon branding at the entrance.

—

—

An event like this needs plenty of sponsors to bring it to life, including Moët & Chandon, Rock Angel, Volcan, and Belvedere. But Hennessy was definitely the one delivering this to guests in spades. There was one full bar offering plenty of Hennessy cocktails such as Gala Tropic (Hennessy and pineapple juice) and Capone and Nore (Henessy ginger mojito), as well as champagne. But when this became a little congested, there was luckily a Hennessy cart outside offering Henny-Ritas (the Hennessy twist on margaritas) which meant a fresh drink was never more than a few steps away.

Food was provided by Fireaway Pizzas, which wasn’t quite the level of catering one might have expected from an event so opulent in most other ways. But a highlight had to be receiving a delicious Crack Cookie as you exited, which was the perfect late-night snack for the car ride home.

—

—

The main difference at this year’s gala was the charitable element of the event. When invited, guests were asked to make a mandatory contribution supporting The African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust (ACLT). “Our mission raises awareness of the shortage of diverse donors, as a matched donor from the same ethnic background can significantly improve treatment outcomes. The ACLT provides hope to patients living with blood cancer and blood-related illnesses, such as Sickle Cell, as well as directly influencing policy change to ensure equitable treatment is available regardless of ethnicity. We are driven by a belief that no one should die waiting for a donor to become available.” The invite made it clear that 100% of these funds will go directly to ACLT, and towards the end of the evening, GRM’s founder, Posty, presented the charity with a cheque for over £41,000.

For a platform like GRM Daily that has been there from early blogging days and seen itself through a rapidly changing music industry and social media era, it makes sense to couple a night of celebration and joy for the scene, with one of charitable endeavours for causes that directly affect that same community.

—

Words: Nicola J Davies // @nicola_jdavies
Photography: Lawrence Howe + Linalaythi

—

Last night saw the sixth annual GRM Gala, held at the exclusive Hurlingham Club in Fulham. Hosted by GRM Daily, the leading music platform for Black British music, it’s a celebration for the scene to get together in their finest outfits within luxurious surroundings. Guests of note this year included the likes of Jordan Adetunji, Krept & Konan, Alesha Dixon, Jamelia, Keisha and Mutya from Sugababes, and British rap legend, Bashy.

But all guests most definitely fulfilled the “Dress to Impress” dress code. Women’s outfits were shimmering in the afternoon sun, while the men looked slick in slim-fitting suits, loafers and occasionally, sporting a cigar. Everyone knew to look the part because the venue was sprinkled with plenty of photo moments, including a giant “GRM GALA” sign in mirrored gold letters, not to mention a floral arch with neon branding at the entrance.

—

—

An event like this needs plenty of sponsors to bring it to life, including Moët & Chandon, Rock Angel, Volcan, and Belvedere. But Hennessy was definitely the one delivering this to guests in spades. There was one full bar offering plenty of Hennessy cocktails such as Gala Tropic (Hennessy and pineapple juice) and Capone and Nore (Henessy ginger mojito), as well as champagne. But when this became a little congested, there was luckily a Hennessy cart outside offering Henny-Ritas (the Hennessy twist on margaritas) which meant a fresh drink was never more than a few steps away.

Food was provided by Fireaway Pizzas, which wasn’t quite the level of catering one might have expected from an event so opulent in most other ways. But a highlight had to be receiving a delicious Crack Cookie as you exited, which was the perfect late-night snack for the car ride home.

—

—

The main difference at this year’s gala was the charitable element of the event. When invited, guests were asked to make a mandatory contribution supporting The African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust (ACLT). “Our mission raises awareness of the shortage of diverse donors, as a matched donor from the same ethnic background can significantly improve treatment outcomes. The ACLT provides hope to patients living with blood cancer and blood-related illnesses, such as Sickle Cell, as well as directly influencing policy change to ensure equitable treatment is available regardless of ethnicity. We are driven by a belief that no one should die waiting for a donor to become available.” The invite made it clear that 100% of these funds will go directly to ACLT, and towards the end of the evening, GRM’s founder, Posty, presented the charity with a cheque for over £41,000.

For a platform like GRM Daily that has been there from early blogging days and seen itself through a rapidly changing music industry and social media era, it makes sense to couple a night of celebration and joy for the scene, with one of charitable endeavours for causes that directly affect that same community.

—

Words: Nicola J Davies // @nicola_jdavies
Photography: Lawrence Howe + Linalaythi

—

Last night saw the sixth annual GRM Gala, held at the exclusive Hurlingham Club in Fulham. Hosted by GRM Daily, the leading music platform for Black British music, it’s a celebration for the scene to get together in their finest outfits within luxurious surroundings. Guests of note this year included the likes of Jordan Adetunji, Krept & Konan, Alesha Dixon, Jamelia, Keisha and Mutya from Sugababes, and British rap legend, Bashy.

But all guests most definitely fulfilled the “Dress to Impress” dress code. Women’s outfits were shimmering in the afternoon sun, while the men looked slick in slim-fitting suits, loafers and occasionally, sporting a cigar. Everyone knew to look the part because the venue was sprinkled with plenty of photo moments, including a giant “GRM GALA” sign in mirrored gold letters, not to mention a floral arch with neon branding at the entrance.

—

—

An event like this needs plenty of sponsors to bring it to life, including Moët & Chandon, Rock Angel, Volcan, and Belvedere. But Hennessy was definitely the one delivering this to guests in spades. There was one full bar offering plenty of Hennessy cocktails such as Gala Tropic (Hennessy and pineapple juice) and Capone and Nore (Henessy ginger mojito), as well as champagne. But when this became a little congested, there was luckily a Hennessy cart outside offering Henny-Ritas (the Hennessy twist on margaritas) which meant a fresh drink was never more than a few steps away.

Food was provided by Fireaway Pizzas, which wasn’t quite the level of catering one might have expected from an event so opulent in most other ways. But a highlight had to be receiving a delicious Crack Cookie as you exited, which was the perfect late-night snack for the car ride home.

—

—

The main difference at this year’s gala was the charitable element of the event. When invited, guests were asked to make a mandatory contribution supporting The African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust (ACLT). “Our mission raises awareness of the shortage of diverse donors, as a matched donor from the same ethnic background can significantly improve treatment outcomes. The ACLT provides hope to patients living with blood cancer and blood-related illnesses, such as Sickle Cell, as well as directly influencing policy change to ensure equitable treatment is available regardless of ethnicity. We are driven by a belief that no one should die waiting for a donor to become available.” The invite made it clear that 100% of these funds will go directly to ACLT, and towards the end of the evening, GRM’s founder, Posty, presented the charity with a cheque for over £41,000.

For a platform like GRM Daily that has been there from early blogging days and seen itself through a rapidly changing music industry and social media era, it makes sense to couple a night of celebration and joy for the scene, with one of charitable endeavours for causes that directly affect that same community.

—

Words: Nicola J Davies // @nicola_jdavies
Photography: Lawrence Howe + Linalaythi

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