Sitting over a caiprinha on the street in Tatuape, Sao Paulo, we had a giggly and very excitable evening together with my bestie and painting partner Vanessa, and Carol who was translating my interview questions into Portuguese so Babi could express herself in full. We spoke about her creative practice, rebel art, love of cartoons, and what it means to be a female graffiti artist in Brazil.
Read MoreEneri is a world-famous Pixadora from Brazil who’s been free climbing and abseiling buildings globally to paint her tag since 2013. Pixação, translated as “tar writing," is an extreme team sport originating from the São Paulo favelas in the 1980s. We spoke about adrenaline, risks and challenges, cultural appropriation, and the politics of Pixação.
Read MoreEstelle du Jour is a successful business owner who quit her 9-5 job in the music industry to become a private DJ. She’s made the conscious choice to serve her local community in Croydon, playing for all cultures and all ages at birthday parties, award ceremonies, proms, weddings, restaurants, bars, house parties and more. Oh, and she’s a talented singer and MC on the side too!
Read MoreI held an opulent cocktail party for my 30th at Dalston Lounge! The pics and footage are all by KMAB Productions (IG Krystographic), a talented freelance photographer and videographer, who I met through our good friend Busyfingers (Rest in Power) at my last birthday. Krystian's worked for Cross the Tracks festival, Afro Nation and of course, the mighty Beats and Liquor, as well as countless other events all over London, capturing artists and influencers. He did an incredible job capturing my event and and I could not recommend him more highly enough for yours!
Read MoreThis comeback story of South LDN producer, vocalist is guaranteed to resonate with anyone else who’s going on a spiritual awakening and a creative journey.
Read More‘Tov Kru’ is Coco Bryce’s playful new Jungle alias that samples joyful Hebrew acapellas and blends his cute Snoopy brand with Jewish motifs. But while the release is playful, it has a serious message. We caught up to raise awareness about our experiences - and to celebrate our culture!
Read MoreI designed & painted my biggest mural ever with Idle Form in Whitechapel, Greatorex st East London. Here’s how the creative process went down!
Read MoreIt’s rare for a DJ to claim a repertoire like VXGRO’s in one year at age 21. Since meeting her last August I’ve seen her go from being a Soundcloud and Pirate Studios DJ to playing all up and down the UK bass club and festival circuit - Fabric, Village Underground, The Cause, Outlook Croatia - alongside the hottest names in Jungle and Garage - Interplanetary Criminal, Flight, Mantra, Coco Bryce, Sherelle, and Tim Reaper - to name a few. She earned herself a residency on Kool FM under Rinse FM’s new ownership and has already released her first track, ‘it’s not so bad’ in July 2023. Her recent article with UKF called her rise to fame as ‘meteoric’ and I couldn’t think of a better word!
Read MoreMeet Sao Paulo born, London-based photographer Lucas Lima! I was lucky enough to be featured in his project ‘Intensidad’, which captures the “natural beauty, cultural differences and daily life” of women around the world and the essence of each place, “producing images that convey a profound message, crossing borders, languages and cultures”.
Read MoreBack to Bass, an upcoming feature-length documentary following the lives of Unorthodox, partners with Everpress in a new post-production fundraising campaign
Read MoreSoulection’s tagline, "The Sound of Tomorrow," from the 2010s really was prophetic. Even if you haven’t heard of Soulection, you probably know artists like Sango, Kaytranada, Smino, Goldlink, Monte Booker, Tom Misch and IAMNOBODI. Joe Kay and his team snapped them up years ago!
Read MoreJ-Fresh sits down with Ana Bulnes, a Honduran music producer, singer and songwriter who travels the globe on her quest to empower women, not only with her Reggaeton lyrics but also with her story.
Read MoreThis May the Jersey Club scene is coming to London! CLUBJERSEY are teaming up with VIBRATE, a queer party centering QTIBIPOC that has been championing this sound the past five years. Here’s a bit more about where the scene comes from and what makes it’s special!
Read MoreOn Afrofuturism and its power to connect those from the black diaspora with their forgotten African ancestry through music. Words by Gabriela Vallim.
Read MoreSão Paulo favela-born businesswomen and besties Gabriela Vallim and Agatha Saldanha are the founders of Baile Funk Culture: the inclusive collective that London’s whitewashed scene was in serious need of. On February 25th they’re hosting a carnival party with their UK and Brazilian chosen family. Here’s why their movement is powerful, political and hot AF.
Read MoreAfrorave, the multi-award winning genre founded by Toya Delazy, has been appropriated by a major male Afrobeats artist in Nigeria. Multiple media sources, including the Rolling Stone magazine have misreported the story; claiming him to be the founder. In this interview, Toya reflects on the deeply personal, political significance of Afrorave; the implications of misrepresenting and erasing culture, and how we should capture the spiritual energy found on dancefloors and put it back into the music industry to move forward with greater integrity.
Read MoreOn 1st October 2022 I threw a party at Planet Wax Record Store to launch my printed zine that celebrates three years of Rave Report! The event was the proudest day of my life. The community came together to raise £550 for the record store and I sold 50 zines on the day and I’ve sold over 100 more online. The crowd was top tier (obviously, it being our crew) and the DJs excelled themselves! Here’s a run down of the event and pictures captured by Apps photography and Rahael Ross.
Read MoreIn Escobar-era Medellin, Comuna 13 was one of the most violent neighbourhoods in the world. Today, it’s fast becoming the Colombian capital for Hip Hop. In this powerful testimony, 23 year old rapper, tour guide and restaurant co-owner Adri shares why thousands of locals like him have been empowered by grassroots cultural house ‘Casa Kolacho’ with an alternative to gang life or even typical 9-5 jobs. Now, they are becoming successful Hip Hop artists and entrepreneurs. This is Medellin’s Comuna 13: the ‘Brooklyn of tomorrow’.
Read MoreDo you know what it’s like to be Black Brazilian? If like me you don’t, here’s an opportunity to learn. Gabriela Vallim (journalist, teacher, activist from a Sao Paulo favela, now in London) shares her story.
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