eng

What struck me about S.Rise, Reggae and Conscious artist from Guadeloupe, is his commitment to self-development and to inspire others. His vision is huge, so much so that he seems to always think he takes babysteps where others would consider they have arrived.

S.Rise owns up to his actions and their impact within the society he lives in. Unlike some, he chooses not to use You but rather personnifies what he sings using I « I don’t want to position myself telling people what to do with themselves but by reminding myself of staying in a positive mindframe, and say I « as an affirmation », it can then resonate within the listener too".

S.Rise would further say « The way I write at the moment is very mindful of the way I will say, formulate stuff and take ownership of the lyrics … This is me now, aware of who I am and where I am coming from, more focussed than before, self-disciplined, knowing the importance of having the mind, soul and body strong. If your thinking process is negative, it’s like eating bad food, you are harming yourself »

And his frame of mind is clearly expressed in his last song « I am winning », available to download for free on his website http://sriseofficial.com and out since the 1st August 2018.

Continue to read below for more info on S.Rise

The inspiration came while S.Rise was performing at a show in St Pancras with the live band called (ONE THE BAND) in Spring 2018. The band played the instrumental of the song « Hello » from an artist called Kes. « I really love this song. When the band played it, I wanted to write something on it. Then I downloaded the instrumental and the chorus came to me. I was at home. »

I am winning is a great song for Summer which willl uplift you on your way to work remaining hopeful while on the « plantation ». The song also encapsulates S.Rise’s general feeling « everything that happened so far this year, Gambia, #Iamnot4sale, Kalash, Etana in Guadeloupe, blessings and babysteps and progress ». He is full of appreciation.

See S.Rise performance with Etana in Guadeloupe and at Kalash's concert in London on 9th June 2018

Continue to read below for more info
 

His manager Red would also mention a significant performance at Hootananny where S.Rise performed his first 45mns set with his live band. It was the 1st time he would headline a concert.

I am winning also states his convinction and his plans. It takes us right into S.Rise’s world with family and friends featuring in the video clip in cartoon forms. « The whole cartoon itself are friends and family. I like how everybody has been showcased…. I liked the way he put my mum and dad from the beginning. I greet them and then am in Guadeloupe with the sun shining. »

The wole concept of the cartoon was hugely important to S.Rise « When you are looking at music videos nowadays, children can’t look at them. For most of them, they are very sexualised. » S.Rise wanted to change that and connect with youth who can easily play it.  And the children do love the characters and seeing S.Rise as a super hero.. S. Rise particularly likes his parents portrayed as a King and a Queen just like the lyric « I am the son of a King and a Goddess ». It is so important to him that young people respects their parents who are life-givers and he also wants to promote a counter culture which does not degrade women, nor hype drugs and the use of alcohol ; which he swaps for « having a bottle of water in his hand »

See still shots below and continue to read for more info on S.Rise

When it comes to S.Rise plans « I am plannning to go to Gambia in 2 years and live there, the plan is to have a business running over this side (UK) and keep being creative in Gambia. I want to set up smthg not as the boss, where I end up working even more than the employee but be the owner of the business, » echoed in the I am winning song :

« I don’t want to be the boss but the owner » ; nor will he follow the leader. « I am not a follower an I dont want people to be followers….. We are the leader. I am going to stand my ground, have my own thoughts and do my own things »

If you haven’t listened to the song yet, here is the link below and website to download.

S.Rise last words for you readers :

« Thank you for all the feedback I have got so far, thank you to Afro Culture with the interview, this is exclusive : stay connected, I am working on an album, debut album, out in 2019"

To see S.Rise perform in the next coming weeks,  join him at Trafalgar Square on Saturday 18th August for the African Holocaust Day Commemoration and at Monday Notting Hill Carnaval Parade with Batuke on Monday 27th August 2018.

The Founder of Slavery Remembrance - Shezal Laing

Shezal Laing is a trailblazer. She’s just the type of person that would make things happen if she has set her mind on it.

She would say of herself that she wants to be happy with the world as it is but with the current knowledge she has, it has been impossible for her…Nevertheless, she sets out to do something about it …. Not just for her but as a mother of 2 sons of Caribbean and African origins, she wants to set « a path as clear and easy as possible for them and fight as many battles as possible while alive so they don't have to ».

In 2016, what Shezal qualified as being in a horrible place near a breakdown, was actually in hindsight, her springboard into championning the Slavery Remembrance Day in London. While spending time in Jamaica to recuperate from a very stressful work situation, it was while discussing with her children’s grandmother about the lack of visibility and initiatives around the International Slavery Remembrance Day promoted by the UNESCO that the spark came on and she simply decided to do something about it. She observed that the Jewish Holocaust Day was widely accepted while the International Slavery Remembrance Day was receiving very little or no recognition whatsoever.

« I will do something. I will hold a memorial to recognise this day » she decided from then on

And so after incorporating Slavery Remembrance as a company, immediately upon her return from Jamaica, she birthed the African Holocaust Day the very same year and made history by holding the first ever memorial in Trafalgar Square London. She still remembers, baby on her back, welcoming contractors by herself in the morning as they started putting out the barriers. She litterately started on her own.

Slavery Remembrance Day, now African Holocaust Day

The first memorial was a resounding success centered around « educating, celebrating and inspiring » all from African, Caribbean descents and beyond to learn from the past and be empowered to have a common vision for change and success !! The Sankofa Badge, which is also the logo of Slavery Remembrance, embodies our past and heritage as the African diasporas, and represents the foundation to lay down and the stepping stone it provides on our way to achieving in the world we live in as a cultural entity, an economic force and a united people.

And fostering unity, celebrating black history and black culture is at the heart of the initiative which is self-sustained. Slavery Remembrance is more than just a memorial and much more happens throughout the year, also through its sister’s company « My Tribe » which aims at connecting diasporas and supporting black businesses, entrepreneurs and organisations. Shezal also observes that the memorial triggers many different responses within the afro-caribbean communities from anger, guilt, denial. « the memorial  has really changed my understanding of where our biggest battle is….. It has opened my eyes to so many mindsets and the need for a collective understanding of what happened. Some are still traumatised by it. Honoring and remembering our ancestors is like a counselling session. People are coming to terms with it, it is a gradual process ».

The Sankofa

The Sankofa, which is also the logo of Slavery Remembrance, embodies our past and heritage as the African diasporas, and represents the foundation to lay down and the stepping stone it provides on our way to achieving in the world we live in as a cultural entity, an economic force and a united people.

The next African Holocaust memorial will be held on Saturday 18th August 2018 in Trafalgar Square.

As a small grass root organisation community leader and director, Shezal Laing encourages all of us to step up and share the load. Every job description is needed from admin, bid writing, web content, PR, marketing and more. You can support and contribute in many ways from volunteering on the day and throughout a year, as well as financially by buying a badge or more.

Shezal’s last word « come and enjoy the day, share the event, share the news. »

See Teaser and link of the event below to share extensively!

I've had the pleasure to meet Deyon King, an amazing and talented creative wearing so many different hats. From taking on the role of a cosmetic chemist, creating her own line of handmade natural makeup "Fruitsoflove" to styling and designing clothes using Ankara fabric, as well as accessories such as earring, bows and handbags, the list is endless. [She can also sing]......

Deyon would say of herself: "I've always been quite a creative type of person. People would come to me with broken bits of watches and earringS that are falling apart and ask what I could you do with it. I've always had a creative nack, gifted by God I would call it".

See pics below and Etsy site link to purchase fruitsoflove items:

But that's not all. Deyon has a beautiful way of passing on knowledge. For instance, she is amazing at styling hair. I needed a hairstyle and within seconds by looking at my face, traits and outfit, she could picture exactly what would suit and the lipstick I would sport out. However, the ones appointed to do my haire were her daughters.

Deyon herself would say that her earliest memories of doing hair was between the ages of 8 to 12 where she would take on the task of doing her cousins' hairs, hairstyles, her mum's friends children and even my mum's friends themselves. She learnt herself from her mum and aunties who would be standing in the family living room with a girlfriend seating on a chair in the middle and they'll get busy styling their friend's hair. "In Caribbean culture, it is quite traditional and natural for the eldest to take care of the youngest hair and a way of making some money by doing hair braiding. I would have a doll that I would practise my braiding skills and cornrows on and be corrected by my auntie. I learnt by watching"

It is therefore not in the least surprising that her daughters, Syrenity and Sakura, have taken it on too.

"Now my kids have got this love for doing hair. They do the same thing with their dollies, try to braid the hair and single plats. They are amazing at single plating and I teach them different techniques as time allows".

You can see them below and the result of course of hair and make up.

We trust that Deyon King, her daughters and her brand will keep on unlocking their creativity. Long life to fruitsoflovve!!!

Trevor Noah, South African Comedian and Political commentator, faced the wrath of French nationals and government following his remark that "Africa won the world cup". Serge Araud, French Ambassador to the U.S., argued that all of the French National players, except for two, were all from French descent (that is ... they were born in France, schooled in France, etc...) and were not Africans... He claimed that France was a diverse country considering all its citizens regardless of their origins alike.

Well, let's hear how French institutions regard some of their Afro-descendants nationals from the horse's mouth itself?

The Carnaval of Dunkerque in the North of France in March 2018, supported by the Mayor of the town, dismissed the request of many black organisations who felt that the representation of "the ball of the blacks" using black faces was offensive to Afro descendants, and didn't want this parade and tradition to be upheld by French institutions.

How does the French Federation of Football deal with offensive behaviours from French footballers on the question of race? That was Antoine Griezmann, by the way, who did apologize realizing that it was inappropriate..

Is French Police treating Black youth alike or was this an isolated incident?

After a full on career in music, on the UK hip hop scene, touring, owning his own record label at age 18 and producing mixtapes, Mic Assassin decided, in 2007, to start a new career in videowork.

He launched his own video production company and channelled his creativity in producing visual content in the place of creating music. Slightly desillusioned with the music industry at that time which was part of his life since age 9, this new discipline allowed him to meet new people from different industries and walks of life. It also was a lucrative industry which gave Mic Assassin a break from relentlessly working underground selling 1000s of CDs, over the years, hand to hand. 

Since, Mic Assassin is ready to take up music again. He wants it to be fun as he realised that music in his life is better than not doing it and he wants to keep consistent with it. Music has changed though; he is fully aware of it and committed to finding that new sound that best expresses who he is as an artist, a creative and a lyricist. Mic Assassin is also putting an ensemble of musicians together to tour, more shows are coming in November and December, as well as releasing online creative work.

To all of you reading, Mic Assassin's final word to you is "I hope you are pushing your dreams and true to yourselves, living to the best of yourselves"

As his own lyrics declare " You came from a long line, strong line of kings..."

Never forget where you come from, sky is the limit peeps!!!

Saturday, June 30, 2018, Kemi Seba was holding his book signing, following the release of his new book "L'Afrique Libre ou la Mort - A Free Africa or death" at Moussa L'africain, a restaurant located in the heart of Paris, near les Halles. " During 3 hours, a constant parade of supporters came to buy their copy of the book, sometimes two or three, from a big brother and a world icon against the oppression of afro-descendants and campaigning for the sovereignty of Africa. In the greatest calm and respect, the session was punctuated by embraces and words of encouragement, in order to provide practical support to the activist and author Kemi Seba. In two hours, more than 500 books were sold.

Keep reading below for our review of Kemi Seba's book

The book

"L'Afrique Libre ou la Mort" awakens us to the resurgence of a pan-African movement in the 21st century embodied by Kemi Seba. This fight is part of the continuity of the mission of our ancestors who fought for the sovereignty of Africa in order to, as will tell the author, "regain our former nobility".

The resonance of the title to the slogan of Thomas Sankara, Pan-African resistance icon of the 1980s "La Patrie ou la Mort, nous vaincrons - the fatherland or death, we will overcome" and the choice of the cover of the book in front of the tomb of the latter in the cemetery of Dagnoen in Burkina Faso are full of symbolism and bearers of hope.

The Pan-African mission for the liberation and self-determination of our people is still to be written and its enemies since the pseudo-independances of Africa, especially in the francophone zone,  have since sophisticated their systems of impoverishment of Africa and its people all over the world.

"A Free Africa or death", therefore, retraces the geopolitical struggle of Kemi Seba and his NGO "Urgences Panafricanistes" and their legitimacy and relevance in an era where neocolonialism has transferred to ultraliberal globalism. As a result, Kemi Seba has surrounded himself with many like-minded international figures who, like him, oppose predatory exogenous forces of the 21st century, including seven men that he carefully selected to preface his book, namely:

Biram Dah Abeid, the Mauritanian politician, anti-slavery leading figure in Mauritania and in the Arab world. Jailed several times, he received in 2013 the Human Rights Prize of the United Nations.

Alexandre Douguine, Russian geopolitician, philosopher, anti-imperialist, strategic advisor of the Duma (Russian Parliament) and the Military Academy in Moscow. He is considered the most influential Russian ideologue.

Elie Domota, Guadeloupean revolutionary, trade unionist, independence activist, spokesman for the LKP (Liyannaj Kont Pwofitasyon, meaning together against the Protifasion in French and general Secretary of the UGTG (General Union of the workers of Guadeloupe).

Pedro Biscay, Argentinian lawyer who specializes in economic crime. Peronist activist advocating the Tricontinental alliance, he was for many years the Director of the Central Bank of Argentina. He is the founder of the Centre for research and prevention of economic crime.

Djimon Hounsou, Hollywood Beninese actor, known for his roles, such as in Gladiator, Amistad, Blood Diamond. He is about to release a film about King Behanzin, and a documentary about Vodoun.

Ganiou Soglo, Minister of Culture in Benin from 2008 to 2011 and son of the former President of the Republic of Benin, Nicéphore Soglo. He is considered to be the pygmalion of Beninese cultural life.

Nicolas Anelka, non-conformist and icon in the French suburbs, international footballer and manager who played for PSG, Manchester City and Chelsea.

Continue to read the review of the book below and access the links to order your copy of the book online (your English copy will be available in the next coming months):

In this work, succeeding 3 essays on neocolonialism (Supra Négritude in 2013, Black Nihilism in 2014 and Obscure Epoque in 2016), Kemi Seba provides a framework and reading grid for young Africans and afro-descendants, as well as to future generations, in a plain language to allow them to decrypt the systemic oppression they face and to encourage them to active citizenship, true to his slogan "what African elites do not do for the people, the people will do it themselves".

Kemi Seba's experience on the ground as the president of the NGO Urgences Panafricanistes allowed him to theorize a struggle that is adapted to the realities of this century and which can serve as a guide to any Pan-African resistance movement. According to Kemi Seba, where the African intelligentsia has missed the boat in theorizing in the comfort of their office, formatted in the schools of colonists and failing to link the practice to the theory, " A free Africa or death is in no doubt, the  most important book of their political journey and especially a reflective guide for the new generation of Pan-Africanists, far from the theorists who have never experienced the struggle they champion from their keyboards". "L'Afrique libre ou la mort" is published by New African Cultures Editions and for sale on Amazon, Price Minister and FIAT LUX EDITIONS.

See the links below to order your copy of the book and to follow Kemi Seba on social networks:

On the 8th June 2018 at Unesco in partnership with its « Slave Route » project, the founders of the "Vivre Libre ou Mourir" initiative, namely Shuck One from Guadeloupe and Emily Gonneau, French-British, representing Unicum Music, launched  the first ever vinyl album connected to an app (out since the 27th May 2018) dedicated to the memory of the translatlantic slave trade.

The vynil is linked to Shuck One’s visual art installation "L"histoire en marche - History Marching" and composer Maxime Lenik’s sound illustration of it. The work of art was commissioned by the French State and is part of the permanent collection at the Memorial ACTe in Pointe à Pitre, Guadeloupe.

Thanks to the vynil, many more will now be able to remotely explore the work exposed wherever they are on the planet. The vinyl is like any other vinyl that you play on a standard turntable, yet when you scan it with a smartphone (even through the album cover) it uses NFC technology to connect you to a platform hosting :

- the tracks on the vinyl as well as bonus featuring Lilian Thuram

- the biographies of the Shuck One and Maxime Lenik, the art installation’s co-creators

- videos about Shuck One’s 'History in the making'  

- content provided by UNESCO from its « Slave Route » project

- updates and news on the topic concerning the duty of memory of the transatlantic slave trade

In order for the user’s experience of the project may happen over a long period of time, new content will progressively be uploaded onto the app on a monthly basis, such as :

 - educational videos

- videos exploring the creative process

- interviews with personalities about the importance of the Transatlantic Slave Trade’s impact on our collective memory today and beyond

- presentation of the tools and material used to compose

Continue to read for more info on the project "Vivre Libre ou Mourir"

How did it all begin?

It all started in 2015 when Shuck One, a visual and street art artist was commissionned to create a visual installation for the Memorial ACTe in Pointe à Pitre, Guadeloupe called "L'Histoire en Marche".

This fine arts project pays hommage to the fight for Freedom against Napoleon Bonaparte's troops which came to Guadeloupe to reestablish slavery in 1801, initiated and led by Joseph Ignace and Louis Delgres. It is a contemporary reflection of the 21st century concerning a page of History which is still being written today through ongoing research for which perception must continue to contribute to the collective conscience.

It consists in a composition in volume with the intervention of different techniques: acrylic, aerosol, magic-marker, collages of heteroclitic elements. The work in volume is conceived from a vintage map of Guadeloupe which traces a topography of confrontation. With regard to this topography, a chronology of the conflict is integrated in the form of collages.The work invites us to stride in the wake of the resistance, its path on a factual and physical dimension with the integration in volume of dismembered bodies, charred projections of flesh with gunpowder impactions; the extreme violence with which the insurgents faced the men of Richepance is palpable. The movements of Ignace and Delgrès' troops become charged with a mental and ideological dimension, notably signified by Delgrès' declaration of May 10th 1802, cited and presented in collage form: « LIVE FREE OR DIE! » its relevance is universal!

This visual installation is complemented by a sound installation composed by Maxime Lenik and interpreted by Yorrick Troman. See link below for their biographies (French only, English soon available)

Continue reading for more upcoming events of "Vivre Libre ou Mourir" and Shuck One's biography

This work will continually be evolving and the project will be presented in a number of cities across the world.

Next dates will be on the 21st October 2018 at the Memorial ACTe in Point-à-Pitre to commemorate the 21st October 1801 when Louis Delgrès, French army battalion chief, led the rebellion in Guadeloupe, alongside Joseph Ignace, against the Napoleonic troops of general Richepance sent to restore slavery on the island, which concluded with the famous cry of Louis Delgrès "Live Free or Die", who preferred to commit suicide, along with his 300 men, rather than surrender.

The event at the Memorial ACTe in Guadeloupe will journey through these tragic events supported by the visual display of Shuck One and the sound installation by Maxime Lenik, followed by a discussion.

More dates to come in 2019. Stay tuned!

Continue reading for more info on the visual, street art artist and activist Shuck One

Biography of Shuck One

Born in Pointe-A-Pitre in 1970, Shuck One moved to Paris at the age of 14 years old, where he immediately joined the emerging Hip Hop movement. The walls and the undeground arteries of the city became his principle medium of expression. Among the most active members of DCM (Da Criminal Minded), he reigned over 3 metro lines and led some of the first descents into the Parisian train stations from 1987 to 1989, which would have been classed at the time as acts of vandalism.

In 1989, with two friends, Banga and Bobo, they founded the collective "Basalt, mural expression" which actively participated in writing a new page in the history of French graffiti art until 1994, soon after he began to focus on using canvas and on developing a formal and abstract style as his unique form of expression. His works became permanent and got included in public and private collections all over the world.

Shuck One participated in the exhibit Graffiti Art, American and French, 1981-1991, at the Musée National des monuments historiques, in 1991, and TAG, at the Grand Palais, in 2009 to name but a few.

For more info on Shuck One, see link below

Why a general history of Africa?

"Crushed by centuries of oppression, Africa has seen generations of travelers, slave traders, explorers, missionaries, governors, and scholars of all kinds give out its image as one of nothing but poverty, barbarism, irresponsibility and chaos. And this image has been projected and extrapolated indefinitely in time, as a jurisdiction of both the present and the future... Is it surprising, then, that African History should have been accorded such a small and subordinate place in all the histories of mankind and of civilization" Introduction by J.Ki-Zerbo, GHA Volume I, Director of Volume I

"At a time when the peoples of Africa are striving towards unity and greater cooperation in shaping their individual destinies, a proper understanding of Africa's past, with an awareness of common ties among Africans and between Africa and other continents, should not only be a major contribution towards mutual understanding among the people of the earth, but also a source of knowledge of a cultural heritage that belongs to all mankind". Bethwell A. Ogot, President, International Scientific Committee for the Drafting of a General History of Africa

"In the new African renaissance, we place great emphasis on the presentation of history"

"Our History needs to be written as the History of our society, not as the story of European adventures. African society must be treated as enjoying its own integrity; its History must be a Mirror of that society, and the European contact must find its place in this History only as an African experience, even if as a crucial one. That is to say, the European contact needs to be assessed and judged from the point of view of the principles animating African society, and from the point of view of the harmony and progress of this society." Kwame Nkrumah, First President of Ghana, 1st Congress of Africanists, Accra, 1962

The monumental venture of recording the General History of Africa (GHA) was therefore initiated in 1964 in response to the aspirations of the newly independent African states to decolonize their History, and re-appropriate renewed discourses on the African past. Under the scientific and intellectual leadership of 39 members International Scientific Committee, including two-thirds of scholars from Africa such as A.Hampâté Bã, Pr. Cheikh Anta Diop, Pr. Gamal Mokhtar and more, some 350 authors, translators and volume editors from different regions, worked together for more than 35 years in view of the elaboration of the GHA.

Continue to read below for more information on the General History of Africa:

History was recorded from both written archives but also by confronting oral sources and little-known African written annals such as the Ajamis (in Wolof, Fulani, Mandingo, Bambara, Songhai, Soninke or Tamashek.... and calligraphed into Arabic script). The outcome forms a first series of 8 volumes; the main editions being in English, Arabic and French and translated into 13 languages including Kiswahili, Fulfude, and Hausa. In addition, 12 "studies and documents" and 13 volumes on the "Sources of African History" were published to accompany and complement the collection.

Please note that the volumes of the General History of Africa are available to consult and free to download. See some of the volumes and find more info by clicking the link below:

Continue reading the article below:

The coalition of artists

Despite their undeniable scientific and political success, the first eight volumes of the GHA remained largely unknown to the general public and African youth. Drawing lessons from this, the global strategy for the second phase of the GHA has included a more attractive form for its products that is more in harmony with new forms of knowledge consumption, using digital technology and interactive, fun methods. It has also established a communication plan supported by opinion leaders, such as artists, to convey the message of the GHA to young Africans and the diaspora in particular. In that connection, UNESCO, represented by Ali Moussa Iye, chief of the section for History and Memory for Dialogue, as well as Tabue Nguma who coordinates the project since 2015,   is  establishing a network of African and non-African artists (musicians, film-makers, playwrights, actors, painters, photographers, etc.), called “the International Coalition of Artists for the General History of Africa”, in order to raise awareness among young Africans and the general public regarding the importance of a better understanding of the African continent’s history and cultures.  A number of events have already taken place in Paris around different topics such as hip hop or the cinema and their artistic creations connected with the continent.

I had the pleasure to speak to both of them. They expressed their desire and commitment to see these resources reach a wider public, especially the youth in need of representation; as well  as duplicating these artistic events, with a view to engaging a dialogue on African History. London could be a next location for such events.

See link below for more info and pics:

After a brilliant performance at "Radiate Windrush Festival" last month in Crystal Palace, Teshay Makeda and Aleighcia Scott  will be performing at Queens II Be on Saturday 28th July 2018 at the Hide Away in Streatham.

They will be backed by the legendary Ciyo Brown & a full live band for a night full of Reggae and Soul Vibes.

To book your ticket and more info about Teshay Makeda, read on:

Radiate Windrush Festival - June 2018

I was delighted to see Teshay Makeda, a talented root soul reggae artist, based in South London, perform at "Radiate Windrush Festival" in Crystal Palace Park on Saturday 23rd June 2018.

See pics below

I met Teshay Makeda in February 2018 while she performed and supported the #iamnot4sale Campaign at the Underground Solo in Camden London to continue raising awareness against modern slavery. It was the first time I was hearing her and I was stunned by her poweful vocals.

See below for info for Teshay's performance and info on #iamnot4sale campaign.

Continue reading below for more info on Teshay Makeda:

Teshay  Makeda has been a singer as far as she remembers. Born from Rastafarian parents, she remembers performing from the age of 7 years old. Teshay began singing at showcases with The Twelve Tribes of Israel (TTI) and joined the school choir, performing at prestigious venues such as The Purcell Rooms and the Royal Albert and Royal Festival Halls as a soloist. At the age of ten, Teshay joined Vocal Zones (VZ) Productions where she received vocal training which greatly enhanced her natural ability to perform to an audience, strengthening her confidence, her stage presence and her overall vocal talent. As part of VZ, Teshay performed at prominent venues such as The Albany, and the Old Vic. In 2005, Teshay was crowned Vocal Zones Under 16 Star, at the Fairfield Halls where she gave a flawless rendition of Minnie Ripperton’s ‘Lovin’ You’.

Between 2005 and 2009, Teshay became the lead singer of a collective of young singers and musicians from the TTI London house. The TTI Youth Band would regularly perform covers songs with messages of strength and positivity, keeping the Rastafari faith relevant to the youth.The group performed with Ras Zacharri, Oli Greety and also opened for Misha B and Everton Blender. They even supported the legendary ‘Queen of Reggae’ Marcia Griffiths at award winning live music venue, Hootananny in Brixton.

In 2011, Teshay started a solo career and also continued to collaborate creatively with band members such as Jemina. They both co-wrote a song called ‘No Longer (Down)’ which was featured on top South London Producer Dice’s mixtape ‘Souled Out’, giving Teshay the opportunity to work with artist such as Rae and Bonkaz, where she featured on both of their projects. She was also featured on ‘No Days Off Volume II’ hosted by Dice where she wrote and completed her first song called ‘Notes Ima Get there too’.

Realising her innate passion for this creative experience, Teshay started writing for herself, as a means of therapy and to channel messages she received from the Most High. Going deeper into her faith she visited her family in Ethiopia in 2013 which provided the divine inspiration for many songs that she has since gone on to write.

Nowadays, Teshay's notoriety has tremendously grown and the opportunities are multiplying.

In 2017,Teshay released a Demo/EP on the underground UK Reggae/Conscious Scene which led her to perform at Lambeth Country Show alongside Christopher Ellis, the late Michael Prophet, Queen Omega, and Bugle. In the same year, Teshay also opened for Grammy nominated Freddie McGregor at the prestigious Boisdale restaurant / live music venue in Canary Wharf and then went on to perform tracks from her EP at the infamous Rototom Sunsplash Festival in Benicàssim in Spain that summer, sharing the same stage as reggae heavyweights such as Chronixx and Alpha Blondy. In the same year, she also performed at the One Love Festival in the UK alongside the legendary world famous Saxon Sound System.

She is now working on several other projects one called Cycle of Life which was one of the song she sang on Saturday at Radiate Windrush Festival.

To see Teshay perform live, you can catch her at 'Troy Bar' in London, where she hosts an exclusive Reggae Open Mic night every Thursday backed by a live band. She will also be performing in Scotland on 21st July 2018. For more info, see links below

You can  also follow Teshay Makeda's work on Instagram and Twitter.

Winnie Mandela : leader of a nation

Thursday 21st June 2018, on the Summer Solstice day, ushering us into a new season, over 100 leading women and men from across the corporate sector, government and civil society, congregated at the Regent Street Cinema in the West End to pay tribute to Winnie Mandela, who passed on 2^nd April 2018 at the age of 81 years old. The aim of the event organised by Blaksox and Kush Films, hosted by Patricia Lamour (MBE), representing GEEDA (Gender Education & Enterprise Development for Africa), was to educate and empower a generation of young women’s leadership focussed audience for change and to redefine the role of African Women, by extension of Black Women in Society.

See trailer of the movie below:

For pics and more info on the event, continue reading

An after-film discussion followed the screening of the movie with a panel composed of Micheline Ravololonarisoa, independent gender consultant and activist, Advocate Sabelo Sibanda, serving in the Office of the Presidency of the Pan-Afrikanist Congress of Azania (who joined the discussion via video link), Hayley Sarah Jane Mills, (OMD EMEA) a South African National and a strategy manager for EMEA of the global media network OMD and Pascale Lamche, « Winnie »’s film director.

“She was the barometer for the political temperature in the country and brushed patriarchal and conservative conventions aside, within her own culture, by keeping a finger on the pulse of the youth and by leading from the front.”

Pascale Lamche explained that the aim of the documentary was to show how Winnie Mandela was politically neutralised by those who wanted to control the entire transition process of the ANC coming to power once Nelson Mandela was released after 27 years of incarceration on 11th February 1990. In this historical account and perspective of the life of Winnie Mandela, we see how she remained a voice of resistance, never to be silenced, despite the forces unleashed to ban the ANC revolutionary movement, in spite of being demonised by the apartheid regime which used counter revolutionary tactics such as « Operation Romulus » to discredit her and oust her from the political scene. Winnie remained undeterred as a warrior Queen for her people.

For more info on the event, continue reading below:

Panelist Hayley Sarah Jane Mills would portray Winnie Mandela as the soul of the nation and the heroine of South African women who had to be the breadwinners of their households, as drugs and alcohol diabolically flooded South African shanti towns, one of the the many tactics used by the Apartheid regime to wipe out and disempower black men to contribute positively to the economy and development of their communities.

Although Winnie set the tone for the conduct of Black South African women, old and young and was a role model to them, Hayley didn’t consider Nelson Mandela in the same way. Chris Hani, who was in charge of the military section of the ANC, was her choice for president ; she considered Nelson Mandela to be the Apartheid regime’s choice or « The White man’s choice » as she would state. When Chris Hani was brutally assassinated on 10th April 1983, the hopes for important grassroot reforms to be on the top of priorities at the table of the negotiations with the ex apartheid regime were greatly compromised. Nelson Mandela, now isolated from Winnie, whom he eventually divorced prior to running for presidency, was considered to have agreed to too many compromises. The consequences are still visible today as reforms that would empower Blacks are still lacking such as land restoration and access to free education. Chukuma, an attendee, would rightly point out that as we speak 78% of the land is still in the hands of a small minority of white settlers.

For more info on the event, continue reading below

The event was a resounding success ; it touched and inspired all attending.

« I am inspired and empowered to be for my nation and my generation what Winnie Mandela was to hers… a powerful, purposeful and progressive black woman. My life will never be the same » Karen Allen, attendee

Today, the life and struggle of Winnie Mandela, mirror those of powerful ancestral African Warrior Queens, who led nations and stood firm against colonialism, defiant in the face of injustice. It is our LEGACY !! as African, Black women and as a Black nation.

Mama Winnie, as we call her, is a tribute to African women’s inner strength, their efficiency, bravery and resilience. Winnie Mandela teaches us that it is possible to be political and a woman. GEEDA invites young women to construct their own narrative and map their vision of the future and their contribution to society as leaders. Young women must redefine their reality for a better and a fairer world !!!!

To follow GEEDA’s work, an international consultancy hub of gender and women empowerment experts and advocates, part of the Aspire Education Group Ltd, visit www.aspireeducationgroup.com @GEEDA_blog

Blaksox is an Asset Based Community Development movement committed to social action that is self-determining. They benchmark those organisations that have survived and more importantly thrived, as very few of them are African/Black organisations based in the UK and Europe. For  more info, visit www.blaksox.com .

Kush Films is the UK's leading Marketing/PR and Exhibition specialist of Black Films and is pleased to be celebrating 20 years of the UK's longest running and most renowned urban film club the Kush Film Boutique - Join fellow film-fan professionals monthly at the Regent Street Cinema for the best in black film Entertainment. For more info, visit www.kushfilms.com 

 See links below: