/image%2F2575472%2F20180507%2Fob_0df9a9_logo-white.png){kind=logo}
uk
HEIR BORN LEGACY - Liberated Spirits Expressing through Music!!
Union Blak - Union Blak are an international Hip Hop group residing in the UK. Sir Williams, the producer, is from Birmingham, England. Kimba the emcee is from Trenton, NJ & Kentucky in the USA. They met in 2008 via myspace & quickly developed a strong chemistry. Classic hip hop was the result. To date they have two albums Street English & Union Blak Friday. Both were well received & supported by Chuck D, DJ Jazzy Jeff, DJ Premier, Pos Da Nous of De La Soul, & Lauren Laverne of BBC Radio 6.
The best sound of authentic British Soul on stage at Boisdale !
Photo Credit: Snazmusic
Yesterday was the launch of the British Collective’s five-day performance at the lively and chic music venue Boisdale in Canary Wharf, London with a live band : keys, bassist, guitarist, drums and vocalists.
Thanks to these four amazingly talented performers, from the get-go, we travelled back to some of the most iconic British soul anthems such as « Family » by Noel Mckoy, « Unbreakable » by Don-E, « There’s nothing like this » by Omar and « Mama used to say » by Junior, to the authentic sound of British Soul music spanning over 30 years, a real treat.
These four artists who are true legends of British Soul Music have sold millions of records worldwide and won many notable industry awards. Individually, they are hugely successful artists but together as the British Collective, you have a dutch pot of different vibes. It’s an incredible fusion of Caribbean and English influenced RnB.
The British Collective released the 1st volume of their album: The Renaissance Begins in 2016, a mix of RB & Soul and their set last night included many of its songs, such as « Romantic » and a « Piece of Heaven » which are pop orientated and the 1st and 2nd singles released . Shooting the 1st single big video in Crystal Palace actually led on to this artistic collaboration, where the 4 musicians would commit to compose and do the vocals of two songs each to produce an album. Hence, the next songs performed on stage, such as « Take your time », was written by Noel McKoy. It is a Lovers Rock reminiscing the music scene they all experienced in the 80s and 90s including reggae sounds. Remember that the core members of the group all have Jamaican parentage and their West Indian musical heritage influences the sound of their RnB. Their style could be summed up as « the heartbeat of Reggae expressed in soul ». Other album’s tracks such as « That’s why ! » written by Don E and his brother for Omar has got a latin swing to it.
Video of 1st single Romantic of the British Collective Album
As the concert drew to a close, the icing on the cake was the Live performance of their soon to be released New Single « So ready », a Slow Jam that will melt the hearts of most ladies out there.
In other words, make sure you attend one of the Live Performance of the British Collective at Boisdale this week. They will be performing every night until Friday 23rd November !!! Not to be missed !!
For more info on the British Collective and to book your tickets, click the link below:
/https%3A%2F%2Fwww1.boisdale.co.uk%2FDesktopModules%2FRevindex.Dnn.RevindexStorefront%2FPortals%2F0%2FGallery%2F89c99054-dd51-464e-8dd2-5ebd6c22d4ba.jpeg)
The British Collective Icons of British Soul Music
The British Collective 19th - 23rd Nov WINDOW & STANDARD TICKETS INCLUDE A DELICIOUS 2-COURSE MENU (EXCLUDING LOUNGE TICKETS) PLEASE SEE 2-COURSE MENU HERE VIP, PREMIUM & SPECIAL OFFER ...
https://www1.boisdale.co.uk/MusicDetails/tabid/111/rvdsfpid/the-british-collective-3795/Default.aspx
Noel McKoy on the left, Junior and Noel, Omar on the right, photo credit: Snazmusic
Caro Sika with the British Collective, photo credit: Snazmusic
Meet Elsa interviewing kidpreneurs Kemi and Kiisha, CEOs of KishemWorld
Elsa, AfrocultureKidz and Kemi and Kiisha, Kishem
Check out Elsa's interview with girlskidpreneurs Kemi and Kiisha, owner of Kishem brand. Suscribe to our tube channel AfroCultureKidz to see our next videos.
For more info on Kishem and Afroculturekidz, see links below:
/https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.wixstatic.com%2Fmedia%2Fb2e51d_0740f599bae14cc7806a959e2fc7d9d8~mv2.png)
/https%3A%2F%2Fimageprocessor.digital.vistaprint.com%2Fjpeg%2F80%2Fhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.vistaprint.com%2Fpreview%2Fimage.aspx%3Fimage_type%3Dupload%26image_token%3D1566723321-6e040e033f-da5f2e%26use_crop%3D1%26croptop%3D0%26cropleft%3D0.0997109826589596%26cropbottom%3D0%26cropright%3D0.0997109826589596%26png%3D1)
Meet Omari McQueen, 10 year old CEO of Dipalicious
Omari McQueen, 10 year old CEO of Dipalicious
Budding business mogul Omari McQueen is set to impress foodies with his new vegan dip business, Dipalicious. At just ten years old, Omari is already the proud owner not only of his own food company, but a YouTube channel, 'The Mari Maker Show', where he enthuses about homemade vegan dishes and shows fans at home how to recreate them in style.
As one of six children, he learned how to cook very quickly from watching his mum and dad prepare large meals daily, and it wasn't long before he was rustling up his own culinary creations for family and friends, inspired by his Jamaican background and his love of great flavours! While making a vegan pizza, Omari decided to create a dip to accompany it – and the idea for Dipalicious was born.
Overcoming his natural shyness whena he's in the kitchen, Omari has always loved to cook, and creates all the dips he sells himself, before sharing them with the world via the Dipalicious website. As well as being tasty and nutritious, each dip is also 100% vegan approved, ensuring a healthy and ethical way to eat, all while supporting a new business venture from one of the UK's brightest young entrepreneurial talents.
The brand officially launched in 2017 when Omari was only eight, and the delicious flavours on offer currently include Caribbean Kick, Sweet Tooth and Coco Curry– each winning glowing reviews. Dipalicious is going from strength to strength as Omari experiments with new flavours to create vegan dips sure to suit even the most discerning palette.
"I want to create food which everyone can enjoy," says Omari. "That's what great food is all about, to me – it's a way to bring people closer together, and that's what I hope to do with Dipalicious."
When he's not building his brand, Omari enjoys spending time at home with his family and loves to dance along to his musical hero Michael Jackson.
Find out more about the brand and try the dips for yourself at the official website www.dipalicious.co.uk - Instagram @dipaliciousdips - twitter@omarimcqueen - Facebook @dipalicious
At Dipalicious we sell a range of Vegan dips with the aim to provide healthy snack food to everyone no matter their dietary needs.
Omari McQueen, 10 year old CEO of Dipalicious
ADX 2018 WORKSHOPS THIS WEEKEND AT MORLEY COLLEGE STOCKWELL
ADX 2018 Performers at Morley College on Friday 28th September 2018
/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.evbstatic.com%2Fs3-build%2Fperm_001%2F48d2e1%2Fdjango%2Fimages%2Flogos%2Feb_logo_white_1200x1200.png){kind=logo}
Feel the rhythm productions - Non-Profit Organisation Feel the Rhythm productions promotes African and African inspired dance by organizing workshops in London with talented dancers.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/feel-the-rhythm-productions-4440192289
Book your tickets for this weekend's workshops
ADX2018 SHOWCASE MORLEY COLLEGE
It was a brilliant stage performance showcasing newer local talents and established teachers, masters and choreographers, boasting a variety of African inspired music and genres.
We also discovered the Congolese Band Soukous Koumbele who performed during the film tribute to dancer Lolita Badindamana, who was a popular Congolese artist, dancer, musician who passed away this year and Carolyn Lilly's friend, the funder of ADX. Playing a number of instruments such as the Conga, they got everyone off their seats.
Soukous Koumbele
Out of a number of choreographers and dancers, we spoke to Noire on the night, who choreographed a piece interpreted by 3 dancers "the Market Place" to credit African women who tirelessly sell their goods at the market to feed their families.
Adriano Oliviera from Bahia teaches Afro Fusion which is a blend of Brazilian and West African Contemporary Dance with dynamic movements, connecting energies with less focus on techniques as understood in classical terms.
Demba, namely Dembis Thioung, a professional percussionist who plays a number of traditional instruments such as the dundun, accompanied "Les Femmes Africaines"
Noire on the left, Adriano in the middle and Demba on the left
We also spoke to Ajani who prepared a free style of mix contemporary styles and Homebros who choreographed solo a piece called "Feeling First" and specialises in Afro Dance such As Azonto and Afro House.
Watch out for these talented artists and be sure to meet them in person this weekend!!!!
Ajan on the left and Homebros on the right
Caroly Lilly, founder of ADX and Feel the Rhythm Production
AFWL AFRICA FASHION WEEK LONDON 2018
/https%3A%2F%2Fpro2-bar-s3-cdn-cf5.myportfolio.com%2Ff5d22843aa681a0b4bc3766c28072a36%2F6b8bd659-0caa-4e16-ba6d-d8d38f7d93cb_car_202x158.jpg%3Fh%3D7735255a408bc2aba68c44dd7c90721c)
Graphik Vision | Portofolio - London Africa Fashion Week 2018
© O. Giuliano Eboulia
https://graphikvision.myportfolio.com/london-africa-fashion-week-2018
AFWL 2018 Catwalk Pics by
Representing Afro Culture at AFWL London 2018 on Friday 10th and Saturday 11th August 2018 at Freemason's Hall was a real treat. Afro Culture's mission is to showcase and connect diasporic talents and this Fashion Show is all about promoting African and African-inspired design talent. Since its launch in 2011, AFWL has already showcased over 800 emerging designers and exhibitors from all over Africa, Europe and the Americas.
We partnered with Graphik Vision to capture the feel of the day, as well as amazing designs and concepts ( See above youtube link).
I particularly enjoyed seeing some African Royals, such as Queen Diambi Kabatusuila Tshiyoyo Muata of Kasai Kingdom of Democratic Republic of Congo, participating and contributing to the event.
We love to see proud Africans boosting their economy and talents.
See picture below and link for more info on AFWL.
Queen Diambi Kabatusuila Tshiyoyo Muata in the middle wearing her royal diadem
About AFWL
Founded in 2011 by Ronke Ademiluyi, Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL) is Europe's largest fashion event promoting and nurturing African and African-inspired design talent.
With a collaborative catwalk, exhibition and business development program, AFWL has led the way in highlighting Africa’s emerging designers and apparel industry and has been at the forefront of bringing awareness of Africa’s burgeoning fashion industry to the international market.
Since 2011, AFWL has hosted 8 catwalk events and contributed expertise to at least 10 more events produced by 3rd parties such as The Mayor of London’s Black History Month celebrations.
We have also showcased over 800 emerging designers & exhibitors, from Africa, Europe and America, to almost 70,000 visitors including buyers, retailers, influential industry professionals, and the media and is now a highlight on the annual fashion calendar.
Princess Ronke Ademiluyi, founder and CEO of Africa Fashion Week London
/https%3A%2F%2Fimages.squarespace-cdn.com%2Fcontent%2F54e13498e4b0c4ae29d2cf90%2F1498597573328-FU0HIQ3FXH5P4JVLBFOK%2Fafw-london-new-logo.png%3Fformat%3D1000w%26content-type%3Dimage%2Fpng){kind=logo}
AFWL, the leading African fashion event across the globe is back for the season 8! Experience the catwalk shows, meet industry experts and shop from never seen before collections.
Caro Sika at AFWL LONDON 2018
ADX 2018 Les Femmes Africaines from September, 28th 2018
this is what to expect for ADX2018
Carolyn Lilly is the founder of Feel the Rhythm Productions.
She is a tireless African dance lover who has been dancing for as long as she remembers, experiencing different types of African dances all over the world. In addition to her passion for dance, she also has a passion to promote African dancers with a soft spot for dances from Francophone countries in West and Central Africa. While living in Paris, she would organise stage performance in Oakland, US for artists such as George Momboye, a reknowned choregrapher from Ivory Coast.
Since moving to London, she has launched an international dance festival showcasing local talents as well as international dancers called ADX (African Dance Explosion).
ADX is a unique festival showcasing and teaching, through various workshops , a wide variety of African dances and techniques from popular dance masters, teachers and choreographers.
This year, ADX 2018 is called « Les femmes africaines ». Carolyn Lilly felt that women are more obscured in Africa yet there are so many strong African women dancers. Therefore, this year, she seized the opportunity to provide an artistic platform where dance could be approached from a woman’s perspective.
ADX will run from Friday 28th to Sunday 30th September 2018.
See flyer below
Scroll down to continue reading
ADX 2018 Les Femmes Africaines
ADX 2018 - Program
Carolyn Lilly has invited Aïssata Kouyaté from Guinea who will teaching a traditional Guinean dance workshop.
Sellou Blagone from the Ivory Coast will be teaching a traditional Ivorian dance workshop.
Other dances, which evolved from African sounds and rhythm include Jazz, Afro House, Brazilian Afro Fusion and Umfundalai technique. Dollie Henry, a legend and icon in the UK, will be teaching a jazz dance workshop; Sheila Atta will be teaching Afro House and Adriano Oliviera, Brazilian Afro Fusion. Other teachers, such as Dr C. Kemal Nance Umfundalai of contemporary African Dance will be returning this year and Leonora Stapleton will be teaching the Germany Cunningham Technique of modern contemporary dance.
The festival will take place in Morley College commencing with a show and a taster on Friday 28th September 2018. The workshops, on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th September will be held at the Stockwell Branch of Morley College. The show will boast an amazing showcase of various styles of African inspired dances and contemporary dance on stage, also providing a platform for young dancers to showcase themselves. A 2Omn musical tribute will be part from the show in memory of a congolese artist Lolita Badindamana, who was a popular Congolese artist, dancer, musician and Carolyn Lilly's friend, who passed away this year.
You can buy your full pass online today by clicking on the link below. Special discounts are available for students
Carolyn’s closing words :
« For me dance is life. Everything is dance to me. In all you do, keep dancing ».
Feel the rhythm productions - Non-Profit Organisation Feel the Rhythm productions promotes African and African inspired dance by organizing workshops in London with talented dancers.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/feel-the-rhythm-productions-4440192289
Book your tickets for ADX 2018
Caro Sika with Carolyn Lilly, the founder of Feel the Rhythm Production and ADX
CHANTAL LOIAL - DIFE KAKO AT BATUKE 2018
Team Dife Kako @ Batuke 2018 LONDON
Chantal Loial, founder and director of the dance company Dife Kako, has arrived in London today with 3 dancers who joined her this year from Strasbourg, Guadeloupe and Paris to attend Batuke Festival and Notting Hill Carnival 2018.
On Saturday 25th August, we had the pleasure to see her make a special appearance at the Music Soukous Festival with longtime friend AWILO LONGOMBA.
Chantal Loial performing with AWILO LONGOMBA at Music Soukous Festival, RichMix
For a full bio about Chantal Loial, check out the link below:
/https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.wixstatic.com%2Fmedia%2F183d41_65088b33f0924629ada46d3c1db1795d~mv2.jpg)
Chantal Loial and Dife Kako @ BATUKE! Festival 2018
Chantal Loial will be teaching Soukous and Afro @ BATUKE! Festival 2018 + participate in Notting Hill Carnival
https://www.batukefestival.com/chantalloial-theartist-kizomba
Chantal Loial will be teaching tomorrow, Sunday 26th August 2018, at 1.30pm at Rich Mix, running an Afro & Soukous Bootcamp. For more info and to book your pass, click link below:
BATUKE! Afro-Luso Festival | Kizomba | London |
Kizomba UK Ltd. produces BATUKE! Festival in London, an Afro Luso immersion where participants can learn, improve or perfect dance forms such as Kizomba & Semba in London.
Team Dife Kako with Caro Sika
S.Rise : an artist destined to great heights !!
Picture credit: Bruno Nguyen
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
I am winning, 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
S.Rise performing at Etana's concert in Guadeloupe
S.Rise performance at Kalash's concert in London on 9th June 2018
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
I am winning, video clip
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.
/https%3A%2F%2Fsriseofficial.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F03%2Frsz_2logo-e1459389038719.png)
Sandro Hippodam known as S.Rise is a singer and songwriter from Guadeloupe. His stage name is a reflection of his conscious lyricism and lifestyle. S.Rise writes from a perspective of life ...
S.Rise and Caro Sika
African Holocaust Day - Educate, celebrate and inspire !!
Shezal Laing, Director and Founder of Slavery Remembrance and My Tribe
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!
/https%3A%2F%2Fscontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net%2Fv%2Ft1.0-0%2Fc78.0.200.200%2Fp200x200%2F29594848_1405857926185293_7128414048063661238_n.jpg%3F_nc_cat%3D0%26oh%3D376054d6f0224c607e5d04724d5473b4%26oe%3D5BCBF9FB)
African Holocaust National Memorial - #TimeToRemember
TimeToRemember Our annual National Memorial in Trafalgar Square to remember and honour the victims of the African Holocaust/Transatlantic Slave Trade...
/https%3A%2F%2Fslaveryremembrance.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F06%2FWeb_Log_wbg.png)
The transatlantic slave trade is one of humankind's greatest atrocities and perhaps, in reference to scale, the most heinous crime man has committed on fellow man. It spanned over 400 years ...
Caro Sika and Shezal Laing
