I was introduced to the sounds of Azealia Banks at the Topshop Unique show during London Fashion Week last February when the models were sent down the runway to her dulcet tones – although I wasn’t aware that it was her at the time I immediately took a liking to it. A few weeks ago [...]
It was only when I went to see Fela! last year that I became aware of the massive impact that Nigerian music was having on pop culture. Fela’s Afrobeat style has taken the world by storm and is heard on radio stations around the world and has been used as a huge influence by artists around [...]
You might have heard a lot of buzz about a film called The Story of Lovers Rock that documents the history of what has been dubbed romantic reggae. Lovers Rock is a unique British sound that was created amidst the background of racial tension on the 70s and 80s. The film is a mixture of [...]
Like everyone else I was shocked and saddened to hear about the death of Whitney Houston. She made her debut in 1985 with Saving All Your Love when I was still at school and everyone in my year knew the words to that song. I feel like I have grown up with Whitney and her [...]
Estelle came onto my radar back in 2004 when she took the MOBO Awards by storm by winning the Best Newcomer Award. To many it was long overdue as she had been a huge name on the underground scene for quite some time. However it was her electrifying performance of 1980 and Free that endeared [...]
I missed Fela! the first tine round when it showed at the National Film Theatre so I was delighted when I heard that it was returning to Sadlers Wells. The venue that is famous for featuring iconic ballet performances was perfect for this ensemble of music, dance and theatre. Fela! is the story of legend, [...]
The Cocoa Diaries featured me in her blog. She is running a series called ‘The Best Concert of my Life’ where different writers and bloggers talk about the concert that had the most impact on them. Over the last few weeks she has featured author, Lola Jaye, Janice Spence from I Miss the Old School. [...]