Month: September 2013

JASMINE WITH KREPT AND KONAN AT THE BBC.

I’ve spent most of the last fortnight interviewing new young reporters for series 5 of London magazine TV show, London360. We had so many applicants it was tough to make a decision on the final in house team as they were mostly very strong, but I think we’ve made the best decision.

BARKING IN ESSEX
Things that are labeled incorrectly or in a misguided way have always irritated me. You know when you pick up the Honey Nut Cheerios in the supermarket, to get them home to find out they are in similar packaging, but this is the fake, cheaper, funny tasting version? That. So I keep seeing these poster promos for a new theatre show in the west end, called Barking in Essex. With my love of all things TOWIE- or more realistically- laughing at their desperate, mentally challenged fakery, I think I want to see this. It promised to be a ‘’riotous comedy’’. It sounded funny! A laugh a minute! I expect Essex stereotypes caricatured to intense proportions. I want anyone with an Essex postcode to laugh and cry at his or her community’s eccentricities.
So we pop along to the Wyndham Theatre, just off Shaftsbury Avenue- a small but beautiful old English theatre. The show starts with its expected visual of a typical Essex home. All the crass, blingtastic, opulent, over techy interiors you’d expect to find are on show. We are introduced to the main family of characters who swear a lot, and typically haven’t the greatest grasp of grammar and muddle up words and phrases continuously. Every other word is the C or F word. This is only funny up to a point. The narrative engages you all the way to the interval. Local gangsta Algie is coming home from prison and expects to find his ill-gotten gains of millions waiting for him, except his wife and mother have spent it. The audience is gagging in anticipation of meeting Algie throughout the show. With comedian Lee Evans playing Algies son-in-law and Sheila Hancock playing his wife, you’d expect the comedy timing to be brilliant, but it just feels humdrum and tired. Written in 2005 means the writer Clive Exton had a vision of TOWIE before TOWIE happened. Sadly, this potentially hilarious vision felt like exactly what it was- eight years too late. It’s a very dark comedy juxtaposed with a lot of tragedy. Nothing wrong with that, but the poster and trailer are branded so that it feels like TOWIE on speed. That’s what I would’ve liked!

KREPT AND KONAN
I tell people not to sleep on things. (If you think I mean lying horizontally and resting you’re the wrong generation for that saying. it means jump on board something whilst it’s still hot!). For the past 4 months someone has been trying to get me to meet a South London rap duo Play Dirty, who are made up of two young men called Krept and Konan. I have had too much on to pop them into the diary, and lo and behold last week, they made history by entering the UK music charts at number 19 as an independent act. That means that with no record label backing, no big promotion opportunities, no publicity, just their own heat on the streets, and with their millions of young fans across the UK they broke down that music chart door, and claimed their spot. Of course, next came the mainstream print press stories in the Guardian and Independent, and I sat back and kicked myself for not having penciled that diary date in earlier. So here I am, jumping on their already rolled off bandwagon.

The UK music scene is moving in a new strong way. Artists didn’t understand how to play the game in the past. Some didn’t understand the importance of clean and dirty versions of their songs. Others wouldn’t turn up on time for interviews. The game has changed; Krept and Konan are proof of that.

23 year olds Konan hails from South London, Thornton Heath, Krept’s from Crystal Palace. Konan smiles ‘’we had mutual friends, we had a huge group of mates that did music but we both filtered off and wanted to make it to the top together, our school teams played each other at football, and we were called Konan and Krept before we even met each other’’. Their names easily flow off the tongue. Krept ‘’I loved trainers, sneakers, Kreps so people called me Krep and kept missing the t off-it stuck, Konan was running around causing a madness like a wild child, so he was always Konan the Barbarian and our nicknames were born’’.
Listening to the duo’s very strong mix tape, it’s clear both MC’s are equally gifted on the mic with punch lines and metaphors beyond comprehension, They tell me that’s healthy and means no ego’s or unhealthy competition ‘’We’ve never had any major fallouts, petty arguments but nothing major, just the smallest of things but we always come to an agreement’’
Their vocals have a powerful, passionate clarity which will no doubt resonate with listeners, and lead to success if managed properly, ‘‘we don’t wanna get money and blow it all. A lot of people let fame get to their heads, we would never do that, people you diss on the way up will be there waiting on your way down’’. Smart lads.

My heart breaks listening to their tracks ‘‘my story’’…and ‘’other side’’ which are about the murder of Konan’s stepfather Ned, who was murdered at home protecting Konan and his mother after a gang came for Konan. ‘’I was determined to turn this negative into a positive’’. My Story talks about the night of the murder and how the duo consequently dealt with their grief and kept focused on the positive side of life. Konan revealed ‘’at the time it was make or break for me, the police took my clothes for forensic tests I was left with absolutely nothing’’

Even though TeamUK acts have their own movements and cliques, its unusual for so many mainstream acts to tweet and champion a new act the way in which they’ve embraced Krept and Konan. Everyone from Tinie, to Chip, to Wretch and more have shown the boys love. Konan ‘’This industry is usually competitive and people don’t want to promote each other but we’ve been lucky enough to make some big strong, real connections’’. The boys have songs featuring all the big current acts like Chip, Tinie and Giggs, ‘’we were around at Chips house the other day just reasoning and I’m still surprised cos we grew up seeing him doing ‘’oops-a-daisy. Even Tinies manager told us that Tinie never does verses for other acts, but he collaborated with us so we are truly humbled’’.

Konan adds ‘’I was friends with Funky D who used to show me how the scene operated, and then our first big break was the Otis cover we did, it got 3million views, it made people talk, but Jay Z;’s record label informed us, via e mail to Krepts phone, that we were infringing copyright! We were going through a tough time with the ‘’our story’’ situation and we were just about to go onstage on Skeptas tour-it was hard to deal with. Next the Otis heat turned into a negative, cos people accused us of fiddling our viewer numbers on YouTube, so we carried on working and then our mix tape charted at number 19, so I think that was a big moment too. The tough times were hard, but our manager Vash told us often things backfire but we needed to buckle down and focus, he taught us a lot and we will now use that education to play the game properly’’.

The duo’s mix tape is unique in that it sounds big, filmic and panoramic. They give the credit to their team ‘’we have our own movement called ‘’play dirty; our in house producers are ADP and Adot Skitz who give us our unique sound’’. The duo is achieving fame and success quickly but it’s important not to forget they’re very young. A track on their mix tape is titled ‘’ ‘‘Too young’’ and speaks about being too young to be rushing things in life like women and relationships. We briefly discuss social media and platforms like instagram where young ladies upload scanty photos.

Krept laughs ‘‘everything evolves around social media, you can meet your next girlfriend online, I have! I have cousins with instagram who are 10 years old. The porno-grafication of young people is going to get worse, we cant do anything about it, you can put bars on computers, but better still you have to educate them about life’’. Talking about the trend for young women to take numerous scanty photos of themselves and pop them online Krept states ‘’you wouldn’t want your wife putting out naked pics of herself, I will like it and maybe even follow them back on twitter, but that girl could never be my wife’’.

Speaking of the ladies, we touched on the recent Naomi Campbell campaign to use more women of colour in the fashion and entertainment world. The boys said they were doing their bit ‘’ we always make sure that in our videos we use models of colour and are inclusive, we made sure there was a black girl and white girl in our videos’’

The boys have been nominated for a MOBO for best newcomer alongside Etta Bond, Fuse ODG, Shakka and more. They reveal ‘’we’ve been getting our fans to vote; we have a big fan base so we hope they come through for us. I was watching Kanyes speech’s at awards the other day, so I’m getting inspired to win. We need the MOBO’s cos they highlight the urban scene, when the Brits turn their back to us we still have the MOBOs. My favorite MOBO memory is So Solid Crew coming down from the ceiling and stuff- I’ll never forget it, it was crazy!’’

Their new album is coming in 2014 no title yet but tracks starting to take shape. ‘‘We only hope we can not repeat ourselves and keep our lyrics fresh and real, we don’t ever want to lose who we are but understand that we have to play the game and make music that the majority might want to hear as well as mix tapes for our fans. Its not selling out, its selling out stadiums!’’
The fact that these two little-known MCs galvanised teenage music fans, to buy their music in a world where everything is now downloaded free, must mean they are worth a listen. If you don’t know, get to know.

BUFF FILM FEST

photo courtesy of David J Bevan.

Over 1000 people attended the BUFF FILM festival, (sponsored by Jilali Argan Oil UK) over 4 days at Channel 4, Odeon West End, Oxford House (Bethnal Green) and Genesis Cinema. Actress Zawe Ashton (‘Fresh Meat’ & ‘Dreams of a Life’) hosted the opening night gala in Leicester Square, which was also attended by actor Andre Royo (Bubbles from HBO’s ‘The Wire’) for the UK premiere of ‘Calloused Hands’ in which he stars and co-produced. Actress Anjela Lauren Smith (‘Babymother’) hosted the closing night UK premiere of ‘Bloody Lip’ – an award-winning mockumentary about boxing, from the Genesis Cinema in Whitechapel. Also in attendance during the festival was Cass Pennant (on whom the movie ‘Cass’ was based on), actor Nicholas Pinnock (Top Boy) and David Essex (musician and actor) whose movie ‘Traveller’ received its’ world premiere at BUFF in Whitechapel starring his son Billy Cook, Lois Winstone & Jason Maza. The festival is now in its 8th year and is currently in discussions with Channel 4 about a broadcast partnership in relation to its’ selection of short films from this year’s event.
I particularly enjoyed the film The Fade, about men’s barbers across the world by documentary filmmaker, Andy Mundy-Castle. A doc about the culture of the barbershop, the male relationships forged via the intimacy of male hair care, the artistry it forges (not just on the scalps of the customers, but with the ambitions of the barbers too). Uniquely, Andy structured the doc to trace the route of the Transatlantic slave trade, so it features singular stories (with their narratives inter-cut) of barbers in Ghana, Jamaica, America and the UK. I loved that it included musicians among the clientele – Aidona, Elephant Man, Pharrell, Jay Sean, DJ Envy and Joe Budden. All give testimony about their relationships w/ their barbers, the importance (and competitive nature of male grooming) esp within the music industry.

STRICTLY COME LAUGHING

Comedy nights at Hackney Empire are in my heart, blood and funny bone! I’ve been attending them regularly for the past 2 decades! It’s a brilliantly consistent venue for urban comedy, and does well by engaging the local community, as well as a multi-cultured audience from far and wide. Last Sunday was one such event with a twist. A regular evening full of great urban comedians but in aid of a Ghanaian village which the strictly come laughing brand have been supporting for 10 years now!
The evening was like a BBC Red Nose Day show, hosted by the elder statesmen of comedy (they wont like me saying that!), Eddie Nestor & Robbie Gee, with comedians Slim, Axel, Glenda Jaxson, Richard Blackwood, A Dot, Kane Brown, Kat, Stephen K Amos and dame Baptiste. We also had musical performances by gospel Jermain Jackman, onstage set accompaniment music from DJ Abrantee, and a special guest appearance from Lenny Henry.
I’ve watched many of these acts come up, and their development and stage confidence has grown leap and bounds. Even the younger acts content is now very distinct, and they are laying their own style and flava ground. I recall when Kane Brown first hit the scene; he was a nervous stilted comic, now he’s on fire! This 39 old comic had us roaring at his old skool vs new skool jokes where he compared crisps brands like Pringles vs Golden Wonder and cars with chokes! Former CHOICEFM and MTVBASE host Kat played a black Puck character in his green tights and red codpiece adding a pantomime silent clown character to the night.

Eastenders legend Rudolf Walker, talked about the Ghananian charity Friends of Tafo, which is a charity that aims to empower as well as help the people of Kwahu-Tafo, an impoverished rural town in Ghana, via responsible giving that generates a capacity for self-development in education, job-creation, and quality of life and infrastructure.
They work in close partnership with the community of Kwahu-Tafo to ensure that the projects chosen and the resources allocated reflect local needs and priorities.
Friends of Tafo was founded in 2001 by the friends and family of TV Producer Humphrey Barclay, after his installation as Nkosuohene (Development Chief) in the ancestral home town of his friend, the late Ghanaian actor Gyearbuor Asante, who played the African eternal student ‘Matthew’ in the Channel 4 TV sitcom Desmond’s. Humphrey spends three periods of up to two months each in Tafo every year, working with the Progress Council and documenting progress.
Humphrey along with his co-producers Beverley & Paulette Randall and Sarah Moore of GeeStor Productions have produced Strictly Come Laughing! (Formerly THe Empire Strikes Black) for the past 10 years and have to date raised over £100,000 for Friends Of Tafo.

Next, comedy Newcomer south London’s Dame Baptiste sounded nervous for about 2 seconds, before getting into his groove and killing it, with his very new original style and content.
Comic Quincy is a big guy and bounded onstage with his longer than long locks. He had us roaring as he acknowledged that singer Jamelia had been stating publicly, that there should be more black faces on UK TV, and here she was, on a show called ‘’I love my country’’. He then extoled the power of Levi Roots brand now that there were Reggae Reggae crisps. He said ‘’we all know he just mixed ketchup and pepper to make his sauce and now he even has a crisp line’’ We were rolling!
I bought a few raffle tickets, as the prizes were great! Amongst the things I could’ve won were tickets to the royal variety performance and x factor, but what I wanted were the Eurostar and 3 nights in Paris. I didn’t win, but Strictly Come Laughing did make a grand total of £ on the night. Great example of arts making the world a better place.

LONDON’S BIGGEST BREAKFAST

NEIL FOX, BORIS JOHNSON AND JUNIOR MASTERCHEF FINALIST TJ DOBSON

I ended the week with a 7am breakfast at City Hall where Magic 105.4 and The Mayor’s Fund for London, were broadcasting live in aid of London’s Biggest Breakfast. Their aim was to raise awareness to expand the Breakfast Club project and feed thousands more school children across the City.

Many children come to school too hungry to learn. Currently 1 in 4 school children only have one healthy meal a day (school lunch) and 32% regularly miss out on breakfast.
It’s a campaign that has seen Magic FM and the Mayors Fund come together to deliver 10,000 daily breakfasts to 50 primary schools across seven of London’s most deprived boroughs, feeding nearly 2000 children each morning! One headmistress at the event told me that families are so poor nowadays, that often the parents join their children, for this daily essential at her school.
Transmitting live for the first time from the rooftop-London’s living room- were Magicfm DJ Neil fox. Joining Neil to perform live with his band was Westlife’s Shane who did a great job entertaining the 50 young school children from a nearby school.

WESTLIFE’S SHANE SINGS FOR THE BIIGEST BREAKFAST.

Also in the house was TV Chef and London restaurateur Cyrus Todiwala– the very cool ‘’spice man’’, who told me he likes to cook a spicy breakfast like a chili omlette and had us taste one made by Barnet school boy – junior master chef finalist- 12 year old TJ Dobson. TJ’s mum told me it was his grandma that encouraged his passion for cooking at a young age when she allowed him and only him from their family to watch her make her secret BBQ sauce. TJ told me he loves making BBQ chicken with blue sauce and crème brulee!

WESTLIFES SHANE, JASMINE, TJ DOBSON AND CELEB TV CHEF CYRUS TODIWALA.

T J told me “I know that I and my twin sisters would find it really hard to concentrate at school if we didn’t have breakfast in the morning. All we’d hear is our tummies rumbling! I’m excited about giving the Mayor some good cooking tips too.”

TJ DOBSON WIT HIS MUM, GRANDMA AND SIBLINGS.

Boris Johnson told us: “It’s unacceptable that many of our young Londoners are going to school hungry. I hope that London’s Biggest Breakfast on 12th September will encourage more people to get involved so that this initiative can reach more children across the capital.”

Neil Fox added “My three children always go off to school with a good breakfast inside them, but not all kids are so lucky. London’s Biggest Breakfast will help pave the way to healthier and happier children who are ready to learn at the start of their school day.”

Cyrus Todiwala OBE said” A nutritious breakfast is key to the well being of our minds and bodies and especially for school kids who need to start the day fit and ready to concentrate on their lessons. Not just parents but kids themselves have to learn the value of a good, balanced breakfast and it should become part of their cooking repertoire, cooking being an indispensible life skill. You don’t have to be a trained chef to prepare a nutritious breakfast. London’s Biggest Breakfast is a great initiative to support the healthy future of London’s young people.”

The positive impact of the Breakfast Clubs is clear with 93% of head teachers saying they result in increased concentration and energy amongst pupils. Lets ensure that our nations youth leave home daily with a healthy meal inside them. A happy tummy equals a smart functioning brain!

JASMINE WITH SO SOLID CREW AT THE MOBO18 NOMINATIONS LAUNCH.

Many businesses’ don’t last a decade, let alone 18 years, so salute and applaud the brand that is MOBO, who celebrate their 18th birthday this year!

MOBO CEO KANYA KING WITH JESSIE J

Their annual nominations launch party this week at the Grand Connaught Rooms, was the best one ever in my humble opinion. Its true there have been launches in the past with more car crash celebs in attendance, but this year really upped the ante in all areas. The ballroom was set up like an awards show, with beautifully dressed tables. Each table had bottles of water, wine and champagne.

GRAPHICS HEAD HONCHO TROY DAVIS, PHOTOGRAPHER PAUL H AND TALENT MANAGER/PHOTOGRAPHER RICHIE P ENJOY THE SWEETIE CORNER!

In each corner of the room was an exciting thing to engage with. In one corner, a sweetie station with old skool sweets like cola cubes and sherbet spaceships, in another, a giant group sized photo booth by the Phototainment Company which had the best instruction video with poses that had party goers shrieking in delight. Everyone passed through the Guest Stars photo booth and had their MOBO 18 pictures printed and tweeted throughout the night.

Copious amounts of mini food platters like fish and chips and mini burgers and beverages galore were served on silver platters. I have been to every MOBO launch party and can tell you, the mainstream most certainly takes the scene more seriously now!

A LADY THAT BROUGHT UP A GENERATION OF YOUNG TV VIEWERS ON PLAYSCHOOL- FLOELLA BENJAMIN!

Everything about this years launch felt different. Media and celebs were scanned in using HTC One devices, which were also on display throughout the venue. The tables were well decorated with Table Art coloured pixels tubesThe glamorous set up, the stage running order which saw a gorgeous Sarah Jane Crawford from Radio1Xtra hosting, a speech by long time UK music manager Kwame Kwaten, an introduction by CEO Kanya King, a totally surprising performance by So Solid Crew which brought the house down, and a similarly great set by newer act Fuse ODG and Jahmene Douglas!.

THE FUSE ODG DANCERS BROUGHT THE HOUSE DOWN-THEIR HAIR WAS AS SLICK AS THEIR MOVES!

The vibe in the room felt VERY positive. Hilariously, this night always see’s people in attendance that slag off the MOBO brand all year round, but kill themselves to attend the evening. As Kwame mentioned in his speech, it can’t be everything to everyone at all times. The public vote dictates who wins.

UP FOR BEST ALBUM- ANGEL!

As many a black music act from Jazzie B to Tina Turner, to Destiny’s Child and Fugees, reflected in their MOBO speeches many years ago- MOBO was the first brand to award them recognition, even after they’d been in the industry many years.

FORMER KISS100FM RADIO HOST-NOW RADIO1XTRA- CLARA!

Mainstream brands like the Brits have years when urban music is in favour, and others where it isn’t, so we always need MOBO to be the stable brand that supports year in and year out.

THE MAN MAKING MOST OF THE CURRENT TEAMUK HITS- NAUGHTY BOY!

People I spotted or caught up with in the house included a lady that brought up my generation-national treasure Floella Benjamin with her very handsome distinguished hubby, Sway, Fuse ODG whose dancers had us all mesmerised (we wanted dance classes with them!), Kanya King in a foxy red frock, Adam Deacon trying as usual to stay understated but being mobbed by fans wanting pictures.

KOJO IN ‘THAT’ LEATHER LOOK VEST!

Also spotted- ChoiceFM breakfast show host Kojo in a leather look vest which I kept teasing him about, music industry legend Mervyn Lyn ( Puffy, Alicia Keys), Paul H- the only photographer to the UK urban scene, Paola Lucktung- the go-to-lady at Adidas, Kwame Kwaten- one time member of music act D’Influence, now music manager of acts like Laura Mvula, Taponeswa Mavunga from Atlantic Records, old skool singer Gabrielle who is being brought back with a fresh sound by Watford super producer Naughty Boy, Baby Blue looking sweet in her dress and having fun in the photo booth, Kel Le Roc looking as usual, red hot in a body con dress, Richie Pascoe- the only photographer favoured by young sexy chicks wanting foxy pics LOL, DJ Dave VJ, Radio1Xtra breakfast host Twin B, A&R Benny Scars, Island Music’s Darcus Beese and many more.

A VERY MUSIC INDUSTRY CLIQUE- INCLUDING REMEL LONDON, TROY DAVIS, RICHIE P, DAVE VJ, PAUL H, COOKIE, LINDSEY WESKER.

Backstage, I managed to have a nice catch up with So Solid boys Harvey and Romeo, where we discussed their current life situations and music news. Both seemed older, wiser, and more level-headed and very happy with their now, much more settled lifestyles. A touching moment was when we spotted Harvey welcoming new younger acts, and giving them tips and advice on his regrets in dealing with business. Lisa Maffia wasn’t in the house due to other business commitments so I attempted to make my pitch to fill in- alas, not sure if the boys took me seriously! So Solid really needs to be praised for their contribution to the UK urban music scene. They were the first act that really caught the nations youth up in excitement, and represented the British youth lifestyle and experience.

ADIDAS BIGWIG PAOLA LUCKTUNG AND RICHIE P WITH JASMINE.

It’s hard for some of you to imagine the climate of UK black music 18 years ago. Nowadays its normal to see acts like Tinie Tempeh, Wretch32, N Dubz and so on in the national tabloid press, invited onto mainstream TV shows and charting well in our music charts. 18 years ago this was practically unheard of unless you were Sade or the like. Acts back then just weren’t taken seriously by the mainstream or broadcasters playlists-thankfully we’ve proved them all wrong. Black music teams were uninspired by mainstream rejection, and many of us who worked in the industry, were determined to fight and make the change to see a genre that we loved make it big. MOBO is just one of these brands that fought to make the urban lifestyle scene today what it is, and for that we are applauding it!

ADIDAS VIP HIP HOP KARAOKE AT CONCRETE/ SHOREDITCH!- #unitealloriginals @adidasuk @adidasoriginals

THE BEST HIP HOP KARAOKE ACT OF THE NIGHT- ATHLETE JEANETTE KWAKYE WITH HER SONG PARTNER SINGER JACOB BANKS.

The very next day the industry was still abuzz as adidas dropped its new social soiree- hip-hop karaoke at the Concrete venue in Shoreditch. Adidas always pushes its social engagement both with the public and street corner pop up sports events, as well as industry engagement, with parties and fun. Usually I wont let go of the mic at karaoke but was feeling wary of this hip-hop karaoke as I usually sing (tine deaf kill an animal with my shrieking type attempts). But this time there were only rap songs on offer.

JAS WITH PRINCESS NYAH!

In the house on the night were most of the London urban music industry from djs, to record label staff, to music bloggers,to PR, to Adidas associated athletes, to real rappers and stylish fashion folk. On arrival I wondered if it would be a success, as even though the venue was full, we- the cynical, cutting industry heads- were all apparently too shy to add names to the performers list.

ROLL DEEPS MANGA KICKED IT ALL OFF!

However as soon as our DJ Target kicked the night off, with the gold jacketed, pretty eccentric hip-hop karaoke host, it was a non-stop rap fest. Manga from Roll Deep kick-started the sets and did really well, then a couple of younger dandy’s showed their skills, before rappers Wretch32 and J2K did their version of Kano’s P’S&Q’S to the crowds delight!

WRETCH AND J2K DO KANO’S P’S & Q’S

Gorgeous young thing-the foxy Princess Nyah, jumped onstage to help with a version of So Solids 21 Seconds- no pressure but Romeo was also in the house!.

NYAH HAS 21 SECONDS TO GO…….

DJ MANNY NORTE JOINS J2K IN A DUET

JEANETTE AND JACOB- STARS OF THE NIGHT!

My favourite moment of the night though was undoubtedly when athlete Jeannette Kwayke and singer Jacob Banks jumped onstage together for ‘Ni*&* in Paris’. The venue went wild and the high was non stop from there on in. everyone attending agreed that Adidas has to make this a regular event- its nice to see each other at awards and shows but having a function where no ones working and all are simply enjoying themselves is key to a successful music community! So two brands that I adore, made this fortnight a better place for all involved! kudos!

THE ADORABLE WRETCH CHILLING OUT AND HAVING FUN AT THE ADIDAS HIP HOP KARAOKE EVENT AT CONCRETE-SHOREDITCH!

JAZZIE B AT KEW THE MUSIC 2013

So the last of the summer music festivals is approaching and I’ve done a few this year. I can honestly say the best in terms of new, fresh crowd, musical experience and overall enjoyment was Soul to Soul and Leona Lewis at Kew Gardens for the annual Kew the Music stage. Wireless used to be great, but alas has turned into a London version of the worst of Aiya Napa meets Ibiza, with cheap sleazy audience in a giant car park. Glastonbury see’s its usual die hard camping fans try and out fashion Kate and Cara.

But Kew Gardens was uniquely the new best-kept secret this year. Thousands of very classy people, bringing picnic blankets, candelabras and champagne, set in a stunning, natural venue with amazing acoustics. The event planning is extremely well organized, with great views from all across Kew Gardens. The stage is flanked by breath taking lakes and foliage whilst the food was in a league of its own. It’s the only festival I’ve ever attended that doesn’t sell chips! It does however, do copious amounts of pink bubbly, steak and roasted veg, gourmet burgers, falafel and posh coffees. Juxtapose that with Jazzie B and his crew and it’s the menu for an unforgettable night out. See you there next year!

So here we are, September 2013, the end of BBC Proms territory. Whilst the Royal Albert Hall in West London plays host to the biggest names in classical music, Channel 4 have begun airing Series 2 of Top Boy- their gritty drama about inner city street life.
On one side, press and pro social groups slam Top Boys violence and glamorization of gangs and drug culture. Critics call for a balance in programming.TV picks up formats that are brought to its attention. There ARE balanced stories out there, but not everyone knows where to find them, or how to tell them.
Top Boys critics say ‘’why aren’t there any positive stories about the black community? Why are we only shown in a negative, criminal light? Well, there are positive, soaring stories; it’s just that commissioners and TV don’t seem as interested in them, or only want to perpetuate the stereotypes of what black music and culture’ is. (Stand up Miley Cyrus!).

There are thousands of young music lovers who appreciate classical music. Instead of a TV show that makes us all feel like the great BBC has charitably extended its hand and opened its doors to urban acts (FAZERS URBAN SYMPHANY), why not champion and highlight black role models who are leaders in their fields of work in classical music? Youth want to see leaders like Jay Z who are winning in their chosen fields. They don’t like charitable hands reaching down to help them. Tell them about winners in classical music so they too can aspire to be like them. This is the hip-hop generation – they are aspirational, they want to see winners.

JASMINE WITH SHIRLEY THOMPSON

Winners like Shirley Thompson who’s a rarity in this country: A black composer AND educator at the University of Westminster. Make a TV show and include people like Shirley instead of ‘’poor inner city youth who need to be lead to the classical music well to drink’’.

Shirley is warm, driven, approachable and ageless. She recalls being intoxicated with the sound of the piano from the age of 4 years old, in a little box room, in her Jamaican parents East London home. She recalls ‘’it was normal to have a piano in the home in those days. My mother did whatever she could to help us progress and develop as human beings. There was always soul, gospel and reggae music playing in our house, I saw classical music as the same, I came across classical music in TV and films. I loved pop music as a child, Sounds of Blackness and Marvin Gaye, Al Green, very classic soul voices. I was always into local music festivals. I started the violin at age 11, which is late in that world so always felt as if I were playing catch up, but my area-Newham- was musically creative back then as it is now with grime and classical talent’’.

Shirley left an extremely successful performing career to pass on her passion to younger students ‘’I’ve been teaching at Westminster Uni for 10 years-10 years ago recorded music was seen as the most important aspect of the music world instead of live performance. Nowadays its all about the live performance-its changed phenomenally. My students come from local state schools to public schools. A lot of them want to be singer songwriters and music producers in grime, classical, rock, hip-hop and indie’’.

SHIRLEY THOMPSON MEETING THE QUEEN.

A big moment for Shirley was in 2002 when she met the Queen after creating a symphony for her with a 200-piece orchestra. Then In 2007 Shirley was commissioned to compose music for the opening of the Parliamentary exhibition The British Slave Trade: Abolition, Parliament and People, which marked the 250-year anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic trade in enslaved African people. It’s of course an honour to be asked, but like many from the BAME community, Shirley has had to fight hard not to be pigeonholed by her skin colour. ‘’I resisted with institutions like the Arts Council who wanted to dub me a ‘’black composer’’, my culture has made me who I am but I don’t want to be pigeon holed and objected to that. Being Jamaican has given me that extra edge, my ancestors were very driven persistent people, so I love that, but I don’t want to be labelled like that’’
In 2010 Shirley was announced in the Evening Standard’s “Power List of Britain’s 100 Most Influential Black People 2010” ‘’it meant a lot to be acknowledged by the community and that classical music was being considered to be important in the community, I’d always struggled with being taken seriously in my community as they said classical music was a white persons game. I’m interested in finding a channel for my talent…the bible says that if you have been given a talent you must use it well’’

Regards her future ambitions she smiles ‘’I’ve got lots of operas and orchestral works still to come, my symphonies for the Royal Albert Hall and more!’’
So there you have it TV commissioners. The stories exist. Do you have the teams and the balls to make them?