Notting Hill carnival weather
Notting Hill Carnival 2016 will take place on 28 and 29 August in west London Leon Neal/AFP

Europe's biggest street party, Notting Hill Carnival, is set to take place this bank holiday weekend (28 and 29 August 2016). Around two million people are due to flock to west London to dance, socialise and taste the delicious delicacies of the Caribbean.

The heart and soul of Carnival is the music, and as always there are a handful of key songs that will be heard repeatedly on main sound systems on Sunday and Monday.

The street party began in 1966 as a way of settling racial tension in the area and has become increasingly multicultural. That said, soca, bashment and reggae remain at the forefront of Carnival's musical landscape.

Modern-day classics like Gyptian's Hold Yuh and Serani's No Games will be popular choices on the playlists at Carnival, but other standout hits have emerged in 2016. Drake has had two major releases this year.

One Dance, which features Wizkid and Kyla, remained at number one in the UK charts for a record-breaking 15 weeks while Controlla had more of an underground success.

Jamaican dancehall fave Vybz Kartel seems to have a hit single every time Carnival rolls around, and this year is no different. You'll undoubtedly have his latest hit Fever ringing in your ear this weekend, with its infectious, laidback bashment vibe.

If you're looking for something even more feelgood, Konshens' Bruk Off Yuh Back will have you cheerfully dancing around with other revellers. Popcaan dominated Notting Hill Carnival 2015 with I Know There's Gonna Be (Good Times), which featured Jamie xx and Young Thug, but this year he has hit the airwaves with Ova Dweet. Other tunes to listen out for this year include Machel's Stage, Torey Lanez's Luv and of course Rihanna's Work.

Before you head down to the second-biggest street party in the world (after Rio), get clued up on some of the songs you are bound to hear at Notting Hill Carnival 2016.

Rihanna and Drake
Drake and Rihanna's Work will no doubt be heard on most sound systems over the Notting Hill Carnival weekend Roc Nation

Drake – One Dance

Drake – Controlla

Vybz Kartel – Fever

Konshens – Bruk Off Yuh Back

Torey Lanez – Luv

Popcaan – Ova Dweet

Machel Montano – Waiting On The Stage

Rihanna featuring Drake – Work