BritNig

Fashion Designer Yemzi Spring Summer 2016 Fashion Film (SS16 teaser)

2015-11-12T00:05:00.001+00:00

This Is Goodbye

2014-04-12T21:02:00.000+01:00

- - - Blog closed - - -

Doing anything half hearted is not cute really, is it?

Clearly I am done with blogging.

Thank-you to everyone who has taken the time to read a post, and to those who continue to do so (as I'm getting a respectable number of daily views I've decided not to hit delete on BritNig blogspot...just yet).

If you want to stay connected to me and the hand illustrated, hand crafted, ethical, organic, FairTrade empire I am building look here:

F: OfficialYemzi

W: Yemzi.com

T: IAmYemzi (that's Twitter and Tumblr)

G+: Yemzi < this one is dead but I will be developing it over the coming year
P: Yemzi

P.S My last posts were about my leather accessories, and for anyone who cares they did manifest themselves! I'll be adding them to yemzi.bigcartel.com and selected boutiques in due course.

Yemzi xx

Business Entry 5

2013-10-22T23:48:00.001+01:00

It's been a while since I've posted about the progress of my leather goods collection.

I made final annotated illustrations on 28.09.13 with encouragement from my mentor.

Two of the five piece collection are about to be sampled in Nigeria.

Finally! Yay!!

To be fair I'm not consistently working on this project everyday but after a chat with a friend last week he put me in touch with his boy back home and today that very kind guy got in touch with the factory I found. They are sending a quote tomorrow, which I already know will be reasonable as I had email discussions with them the other month. However I still need to source a company to engrave my trademark into the hardware and foil it into the leather.

I am still very passionate about this collection being sustainable and ethical but I'm not sure what extent I can control this within my small budget. Leather is bought from markets in Nigeria, usually unlabelled. So there is sometimes a challenge knowing what animal the skin came from let alone if it found itself there in a harmonious way.

Maybe once I launch my first collection, with success (sales, happy customers and plenty of press), I may be able to make the right connections to source my leather ethically. I'm talking about the animals being looked after well, they weren't skinned alive and then the processing did not include any harmful chemicals, minimum water was used and the people conducting this worked in good conditions and were paid fairly.

Until next time!

[Business Entry 5]

Business Entry 4

2013-08-22T23:26:00.001+01:00

The dream is still alive.

I don't like out sourcing.

Why are factories taking so long to reply? Why do they abruptly stop responding?

I don't want to do business with a company who's communication is poor.

I need to cut out the middle man.

My designs > Factory > Me > Boutique. Nope.

My designs > I make > Straight to boutique. Yes.

(This way I could even do a made to order service)

But this changes everything.

I want to create high-end hand crafted leather bags, I don't have those skills or equipment. I've considered finding a factory in Nigeria, of cause this is out sourcing but I'd like to at least try them, just because UK leather factory's are failing it doesn't mean they all will, right?

I've just applied to some tailoring courses.

There are certain garments I could make to a very high quality if I learn the construction skills over the coming year.

Along side that I can work, intern, network, slave for someone else's dream ect.

Having complete control over my production line would be fantastic.

I have the surface design skills, now just the garment construction to come.

I bought some pieces from British Fashion Designer William Tempest earlier this summer and he told me he works between London and Dubai where he has a bespoke service. Bespoke fashion design in Dubai? All I see is signs, all I, all I see is dollar signnns *Rihanna voice*.

I'm also looking at label Natalie B Coleman for inspo. I can't wait to get mad creative with LookBooks and short films to support my collections.

I've been pushing out my CV to gain pain work and within it potential employers will find that I have recognition for my surface design, media and professional writing work. My label is where I see these 3 Interests merging together as one to form my brand, Yemzi.

The dream is still alive.

[Business Entry 4]

Business Entry 3 - Try, try and try again!

2013-08-07T01:42:00.001+01:00

For those that don't know, London alternates between my first and second home. I spent my first 10 weeks of life in East and I later studied at various locations in the city for my Foundation Diploma and the 2nd and 3rd year of my degree. My second home is the South West sea-side town Bournemouth.

It's home right now but today serves as a reminder that its distance from London is an inconvenience.

My inspiration, customers, my potential manufacturers, my dreams even are in London!

Effectively my life and business is in London. And I would go as far to say that I'm 'not living', but existing whilst I stay in Bournemouth lol.

"Move to London then!".

I wish it was that simple. We'll come back to this topic in a future post.

So today (now yesterday am I am blogging at almost 1am) was a milestone for my brand.

My Wild Cat tees have physicality in a store, woop! Thank-you SOBOYE boutique in Shoreditch!

Now here's constructive criticism to myself...

This should of happened months ago.

When I first finished my tees I approached three boutiques in the Peckham Rye/East Dulwich area.

One 'had enough stock' which I thought was a poor excuse as the warm weather had not even hit us at this point, only to find out they closed down two months later. So it makes sense, they were already emptying their space with no intentions to refill. Boutique two was recommended to me by the local company who printed my swing labels. The shop owner at first sent me away as I had to come with a set price rather than asking her what she is willing to pay. On my return she said she liked the racer back tops, she's not into tees but she'd wear the black and white one herself...yet point blank said she will not place any orders with no explanation why. I should have asked but I was in polite mode and still high from my first 'yes'.

This 'yes' came less than an hour before from a boutique two minutes walk from my flat, recommended by a local fashion blogger. I walk into the boutique (unannounced), showed her my goods which got a positive response. We talked eco, prices, locally sourced design, a small quantity on sale no return. Followed the meeting with her with an email as we agreed, no reply. Went in store, she said she had to speak to her business partner. Followed it up with a phone call, she'd been busy but she assured me she'd get in touch. I went in the store again. She then suggested I have a launch day at the store on summer solace, no email. I gave up. I passed the store with my sister and went in to show her around (well to see if the shop owner acknowledges me) and guess what, she looks at me and clocks who I am but doesn't approach me. At this point in the story I will reveal that I'm 6ft4, build like a rugby forward, and was assisted by a gang of local thugs during my meetings with this woman and it would all make sense as to why she was pretending to act obliged to my business proposal. But this is not the case so I'm still slightly confused.

I tried 5 times. But now it's not as simple as heading down the road or jumping on a bus to try again. I live 2-3 hours from London. I should of been trying more boutiques whilst they were on my doorstep! Or if I had done my research in depth a few months ago I probably would of found SOBOYE boutique and the ones that I'm yet to discover. So my next steps are to secure several most stockists as well as working on my accessories line. After the pressure of finishing my degree at the same time as trying to launch these tees I effectively gave up. I had the product, I tried a few shops and nothing came of it so after graduation and the realisation that I need to 'work' I went on to the next project, which lead me to the first again. In the passion of telling SOBOYE about my accessories (that I had just designed, not even sampled) I thought I may as well mention the tees and look how it panned out, my first physical stockists and they are waiting for my accessories.

Nothing good comes easy.

And there is no time like the present!

And those boutiques who do not stock you today will be cursed and forced to close in no time lol.

Yemzi

Business Entry 2

2013-08-03T10:33:00.001+01:00

Progress is moving reasonably fast.

This excites me.

Often I am underwhelmed by situations I find myself in. Friends and family ask me if I'm excited and I'll ask them what exactly are they are talking about or simply say 'not really'.

My passion for this collection propelled me to contact a potential stockist on Thursday at almost midnight. The following morning I received a positive reply. Reciprocated enthusiasm for my past collection (the tees on my website www.yemzi.com) and for the handbags - that I simply described, no images! By the end of the day we had discussed prices and arranged to meet.

This morning I have been in touch with companies who can provide Eco-friendly presentation boxes that are of the highest standards, and of cause personalised with my 'Yemzi' signature.

I came across another potential manufacturer in the early hours of this morning. There location is sentimental to me. It makes sense, in my mind that my new collection would be 'born' in this district of London, like I was. But about anything superb quality and craftsmanship is what I'm in pursuit of.

[Business Diary 2]

Back to Bloggling - Business Entry Número Uno

2013-08-02T02:29:00.001+01:00

All success stories seem to start the same dontcha think? X person giving every hour possible to their dream, this vision that they feel they were born to fulfil. They are sat in their bedroom (like I am right now) or at their kitchen table, or a make-shift desk in their parents shed pulling 'it' together with no budget, often no food, but the fuel to succeed.

As of today I'm going to blog my journey to success.

Yesterday I decided that my next collection will be a line of handbags.

I designed them and sourced a potential UK based manufacturer in one day.

Why wait for tomorrow what you can do today right?

[Business Diary]

If I Was a Black Girl in Love With Myself

2013-02-27T01:42:00.004+00:00

If I was a black girl in love with myself
I would need to just sit alone with myself to know myself. I would know that being alone does not mean lonely. I would sit with my fears and try to figure out, why I'm afraid of the dark, scared of silences, terrified of having to sit alone with myself.

If I was a black girl in love with myself
I would choose healthy relationships. One's that help me grow, make me a better person, feeds and nature me. I wouldn't settle for anyone else's husband or man. I wouldn't sign up for partnerships that are physically or emotionally abusive. I would be clear that I deserve better.

If I was a black girl in love with myself?
I would choose someone who has fully chosen me. Someone who wants to work shit out with me! He/she desires to wake up with me. Someone who deep belly laughs with me. I would choose someone who makes my tummy flips, who misses me when I leave the room. Someone who encourages me to be a better and kinder person.

If I was a black girl in love with myself
I would actively work on being less critical of myself. I would look in the mirror and not wish you away. Instead, every day I would loudly declare, "I'm going to take care of you! You are beautiful! I'm proud of you! I love you! I love that KINK in your hair your beautiful nose, your wide spread grin, your crooked tooth, that scar on your belly. I would exercise, walk a few steps daily to just honor you! I would not compare you to other womyn's bodies. I would give thanks to God that he gave me another day with you.

If I was a black girl in love with myself
I would spend less money on expensive shoes and more money on therapy. Because I would realize I need to do soul work and not sole work! I need to heal those child hood scares. I need to learn how to forgive all the people who did not do enough to make me feel loved, important, or wanted. Therapy would help me to be ok with asking for what I wanted from my family, my partnerships, my friendships. Therapy would help me deal with the depression that often creeps in leaving me feeling lonely, suicidal and unworthy.

If I was a black girl in love with myself
I would take the time to examine my sista' circle. Do my friendships support unhealthy dynamics of petty jealousies, back biting, subtle put-downs? Am I everybody's super womyn, am I always the shoulder to cry on, am I that "go to girl" and yet there's no place for me to go too?

If I was a black girl in love with myself.
I would question all the spoken and unspoken "TRUTHS" that my mother told me about myself . Did my mother counsel me from a place of fear, anger, hurt, and ignorance? I would lovingly accept that my mother did the best that she could but that doesn't mean that her best is now MY best! I would view my mother in the same loving way that I view myself, as a person who tries but sometimes fails. . I would know that I'm not a replica of my mother or grandmother. I do not have to repeat unhealthy family cycles or dynamics. I would forgive my mother

If I was a black girl in love with myself.
I would write my father a letter. Mail it to him. Never mail it. I would tell him all the things that I wanted him to do and be for me. I would tell him all the things that he doesn't know about me. I would tell him that even as a grown womyn I still look for him and need him. I would tell him about every super daddy hero story that I created and how he lived up to a few of them but failed me on so many~I would forgive him

If I was a black girl in love with myself.
I would whisper in my daughter's ear each night how beautiful, smart, creative and amazing she is. I would not publicly shame or embarrass her in order to reprimand her. I would not believe that beating or spanking her is good for her. I would know that sitting with her and explaining right from wrong is better for her tiny soul and body. I would encourage her to disappoint others and me in order to remain true to her spirit, her soul and to herself. I would tell her that no matter what she did I could never stop loving her. I would address in therapy all hidden jealousy, fear, and anger that her tiny presence stirs in me. I would know that these are my issues and are not the burden of my daughter to carry.

If I was a black girl in love with myself
I would cry often. Do big public ugly cries. Allow my tears to flow down my beautiful brown face. Cry because I'm hurt. Cry because I feel joy. Cry because I feel angry. I would not believe that I need to be given something to really cry about! I would know that is safe to say that I'm hurt, it's ok for me to NOT have all the answers. I would know that I don't always need to be strong, in order to carry everyone's hurt and shame on my too small back. I would know it's ok to cry about the sexual secrets that I was told as a young girl to keep. It was not my fault. I give myself permission to cry in my car at a sad song on the radio.

If I was a black girl in love with myself.
I would rest. That doesn't mean I'm lazy or lack ambition. I would light a candle. Read a book. (Perhaps, you can heal your life!) I would do nothing. Sit in my pjs all day. Bake a chocolate cake and share it if I wish, but perhaps eat it all by myself! The world will not fall apart while I rest. I don't need to be completely drained in order to rest. The most loving act I can do is take some time to rest.

If I was a black girl in love with myself.
I would have mini conversations with God/Universe in my bed, in the shower, at my desk at work. I would thank God for everything he has given me. I would ask him to show me a path. I would trust that everything in my life is in divine and perfect order and that God has a plan bigger for me than I could even imagine! I would dream beyond my circumstances!

If I was a black girl in love with myself
I would smile at every black girl regardless of their response to me. I would view them as allies and not my competition! I would cheer on their victories as if they were my own! I would connect amazing black womyn with each other and encourage them to get to know each other. I would offer to babysit their kids! I would have potlucks and sista brunches. I would write empowering and loving messages on their facebook pages. I would send them this piece! I would randomly tweet how amazing they are. I would encourage my sista's to be as smart as Michelle, as outspoken as Whoopi, as creative as Shonda, as loving as Oprah, and as wise as Maya.
I would create safe places for them in my heart. I would send a black girl some flowers just because... and send myself some too!

www.blackgirlinlove.com

Miss Nigeria 2013

2013-01-19T18:32:00.000+00:00

Happy New Year! It's 2013 and I'm still reaching for my dreams. Below is my two minute video submission for which I hope the organisers of Miss Nigeria will invite me to auditions.

Thank-you November, Hello December

2012-12-03T03:40:00.001+00:00

"Oh my Godd it's December, no wayyy, WTF!" were my exaggerated lingering words stood in a house party socialising as I caught a glimpse of my phone two nights ago. I could believe it, but tipsy Yemzi could not comprehend how fast time had been moving (and spinning).

November was another blessed month for me (I give thanks!). Interviewing Akua (see last post) on the 1st, attending a filmmaking workshop ran by Zambian filmmaker Rungano Nyoni's on the 3rd and then flying out to Italy for a short break all in the first week! The month saw me complete my first sewn garment! And I bought my first designer bag (I've had my eye on an MCM rucksack for years). I even bumped into Davido in central London, damn, after listing all these great happenings I'm fully realising how great November really was!

(The best meal I had on my trip! (a restaurant in Florence near the train station named Il Portale)

Dami duro! Davido!

He was buying a lot of camouflaged print items...yes, like the trousers he's wearing and the jacket I have on lol. Funnily I found him wondering around the female floor of Topshop on Oxford Street, I think he was looking for a London gal :-P

So December is upon us.

The 12th and final month of the year.

The festive season.

Food and gifts

Bring it on!

I have some great news already, this month I will be moving into a 1 bed place.

If you know me personally you will appreciate how much of a landmark this is for me.

I love space, privacy and cleanliness, flat shares were never for me!

In other big news BritNig homewear products will be available to purchase in June 2012, launching alongside my final exhibition (dates to be confirmed, and yes you are invited).

However, at this time BritNig may just be Yemzi. I really don't want to drop BritNig but as far as branding and marketing goes I feel Yemzi is much stronger. Maybe I could do 'Yemzi' big and 'Britnig Homewear' in small font underneath just so I can keep my beloved name.

Give me your thoughts in the comment section below please!

I hope you all have a productive month and I will be posting again soon.

I have interviews lined up with some very interesting men, that's all I'm going to say for now,

check back soon!

Yemzi x

Akua Wood x SheaButter Cottage

2012-11-02T03:14:00.002+00:00

Akua Wood’s name is synonymous with the British natural hair scene and it wouldn’t be foolish of you to think her name, or her shops’, Shea Butter Cottage, was the brand. In fact Cioccolatina, and it started ten years ago this week.

With the common concerns of sensitive or dry skin, increasing fear of parabens and other potentially harmful preservatives in our cosmetics and the natural hair trend Akua’s small business is arguably more relevant today than it’s ever been before.

Like the majority of us with great ideas, her biggest challenge was getting her hands on funds. It was never in her plans to set up a shop but it seemed to have found her. The office nine to five was not a feasible option with a handicapped daughter to care for full-time. A true inspiration, Akua started her business from home, at first just selling excess products she had and made such as shea butter and children’s clothes sewn from African fabric. Two years later (2004) the shop, Shea Butter Cottage, based in Reading, was established.

Government business grants refused her applications on the grounds of not being a young person (she was in her 30’s when she applied), and for the fact the business wouldn’t benefit the local community. Despite this she started up entirely independently, ‘on a shoe string’ as she describes, with some support by her husband.

The ‘brains and hands behind the business’, not only does Akua make many of the products; she designs the packaging (which switches now and then as she gets bored of it), and also maintains the company’s online platform. I hear so often of businesses budgeting millions to desperately engage with their customers online. Akua does this effortlessly (and pennilessly) across Blogspot, Twitter and Facebook (over 3600 likes), which in turn has raised her profile and sales. She says word of mouth is priceless and I believe it must be true as she’s gained 100 new Facebook fans in the past week.

No doubt it helps when respected bloggers recommended your services via their YouTube channel. Akua is extremely greatful of the support she receives and expressed how nice it was when one natural hair blogger, called her Aunty and recommended her products to her thousands of subscribers. I can’t help but wonder who is more appreciative, the satisfied customer who recommends a product or the businesswoman’s who’s ‘baby’ (as she calls it) is serving it’s purpose so well ten years after its conception.

Bloggers aside, returning customers is the marker for satisfied cliental. As feedback is rare the next best indicator is regular customers she explains. To get an idea of the size of the business I cautionally ask how many orders the company gets. Akua happily informed me that she has ten mail-orders on average every day.

Unsurprisingly Shea-butter is her best selling product, amongst fabric, jewellery, oils, butters, clays, herbs and chocolates. The top seller is sourced from her home county of Ghana, from two locations where 116 women and 2 men work! Indigenous people there were dictating low prices of this beautiful butter, this is where her business intervenes. By selling shea butter Akua is able to give these people a fair price for their hard labour and a place to work and socialise with other workers (traditionally the process was done at home). Additionally 10% of every purchase goes towards supporting a good cause. She’s witnessed poverty in her own country and she’s most certainly doing her fair share to support the less fortune. Charity starts at home and there are half a dozen organizations and individuals benefitting from Shea Butter Cottage.

One organisation in particular is Kiva, which supports entrepreneurs who require money, through a innovation loans system, find out more here. Akua knows herself how difficult it is to get funding and takes pleasure in giving a helping hand to someone who needs it.

Loving a product (which she's used her entire life), helping people with their hair and skin by selling it, and using a chunk of the profits to help others, wow! No wonder Akua has been recognised by Aspire Magazine and African Women in Europe (AWE) for her innovative and entrepreneur skills. One prize was a free flight to any airport in Africa (I'm so jealous!), she chose Swaziland, which enabled her to visited a child she’s been sponsoring there named Dele. She loves the laidback atmosphere of the Southern African country, and was kindly hosted by John and Stephanie of Swazi Secrets available (a brand available in her store here).

At first SheaButterCottage seems like a happy accident, but when Akua’s tells me she is always on the look out for untapped resources when she visits her homeland (at least ever other year), her businesswoman flare become evident. She ‘tries to look for something different, what someone else may see as rubbish’.

Everybody knows attitude towards customers is another key to any successful business. I liked the fact Akua doesn’t treat customers any different as to whether they are buying 5g or 50kg. Sheabutter Cottage is a small shop, open between the hours of 10am and 2pm Monday to Friday by arrangement; but don’t let only needing a small purchase deter you from making an appointment if online shopping is not your thing. You have to love a business that values all it’s all customers. I can’t help but want to see Cioccolatina in Boot and SuperDrugs, but it just wouldn’t be the same. This niche business is small, independent, well constructed and successful.

So what’s next, what are the aspirations for a year from now? Mrs Wood tells me 'we want to stick to our ethics’', 'move with trends', ‘it would be nice to get more stockists but I like steady growth so I can manage family and work,’ and she would ‘love to still be in business and still growing’, ‘it’s so rewarding when someone receives their order and leave a message, it fills me with much pleasure – reaching out to people and making a difference.'

Thank-you Akua Wood, Brit-Nig loves everything you do and stand for!

Yemzi meets Sokari Douglas Camp (an account)

2012-10-19T05:16:00.000+01:00

An account of my meeting with British-Nigerian Artist Sokari Douglas Camp (CBE)

9.30 am – Monday 15^th October

It was one of those ‘early’ morning attempts to wake-ups that your body disagrees with, eyelids weakly opposing gravity and alarm clock spurring them on. Gravity won the battle momentarily and I stayed in bed a few minutes longer. Those 180 seconds had repercussions. It was one of those mornings where you say to yourself ‘argh if I had just been a minute earlier’, as you miss your first bus (because your too lazy to walk five minutes to the bus that takes you to your destination). You spend close to ten seconds deliberating if you should wait for the next bus due that's due in five minutes or walk. A brisk walk it is, even crossing busy roads so quickly your legs, even after avoiding a collision with oncoming traffic, find a natural ten metre jog in hope of making up a small amount of time. But as you reach the corner your bus departs from it can be seen gracefully pulling away, almost in slow motion (or just due to the fact it’s a big vehicle in saturated city streets). Despite this I managed to actually board the next bus and I arrived at Sokari’s studio in South East London five minutes early and fine minutes before her (she arrived bang on time).

I decided to get in contact with Sokari after seeing her Hippopotamus Masquerade Figure art piece (permanently housed in The Britsh Museum) featured as number one of the ‘London in 20 objects’ in the Evening Standard newspaper. A weekly slot by Neil MacGregor to shine light on various cultures inhabiting the capital. Initially excited by the fact that Sokari is a British-Nigerian artist and then reading in the article ‘I live with the reality of being both Nigerian and British but feeling outside of both cultures’, I had to find out more about her.

My first step was Google, obviously. I admired her education route, a bachelors in London at the Central School of Art Design 1980-1983. I thought this was Central St Martins but I later found out these two separate institutions, now joined, were in strong competition at the time of Sokari’s studies. Her final degree show there, which consisted of a wood and concrete installation, with its success brought her some television coverage.

When I stepped inside her studio it looked much more impressive than it did when I was peaking through the window blinds waiting for her arrival. The unassuming building from the outside looks like an office, at first I walked straight past it. Designed with her husband architect Alan Camp, the composition takes the form of a Nigerian house, with a central courtyard (like traditional Islamic homes). I was more than impressed; I didn’t even know nice houses existed in Elephant and Castle. That’s the thing about London, you can be in a property valued at a few million and less than a minute walk away you’re likely to be faced with a tower block (my least favourable buildings, most are visually depressing).

Caption: Upon entrance to her studio, the view up.

With the combination of glass windows and the courtyard layout light was in abundance. A spiral staircase to the first floor, an open plan dining table, soft seating area and kitchen, all over looking the a small garden space. Where the sparks fly happens is on the edge of the house in separate area on the ground floor, connected to the main building by her office come small gallery space. This place is a real gem, I can only imagine her house is at least five times more impressive.

I took my seat at the breakfast bar which was scattered with open newspapers. Sokari offers me a drink, her forehead glistening with beads of sweat from her fast-paced cycle in to her studio. As I have a tendency to do, I say I’m fine and I could see she was fluttered as she made her coffee. The time of 10.30am was clearly etched in my mind, it was the last distinctive thing she had said on the phone last Friday when we made arrangements to meet. Maybe to assure herself of the time or to indirectly tell me to be on time. I was pleased that I arrived before her, and there was no physical evidence of my rush.

Soon enough we begin to discuss her work. I mention her 2003 Fourth Plinth short listing, something Google told me. But what it failed to tell me is that artists are chosen and do not apply. So by asking if she was going to try again and win the spot at Trafalgar Square I looked very silly as she explained how the process actually works. Sokari still can’t believe she was honoured as a Commander of the British Empire in 2005 for her contribution to art. With England being her home since she was eight, holding a CBE, a house in Nigeria and knowing so much about it’s culture, I couldn’t help but feel she is more Nigerian and British than myself. She said she sees herself as Kalabarian before anything, but says now that’s less important. She’s not been to Nigeria for 4 years as it’s too dangerous, people will visit her village in the day when there are occasional parties but they rush away before it gets dark. She believes is a global culture. Living in England has taught her ‘the west does not respect black skin’ and because of this she feels like a second-class citizen. “England wouldn’t be so great today without the help it received from black people,” she tells me. Which is what one of her recently completed pieces, ‘All The World Is Now Richer’ is about. Once the collection of six steel figures, about the abomination of slave trade, finishes its journey around the country she hopes to receive funding for a permanent bronze sculpture of the first figure.

Caption: Each large figure takes one month to make.

I couldn’t help but delve deeper into this ‘second class citizen in a white mans country’ concept she has of herself. I understand that this is fact for those of us of colour living in the U.K but I’m actually still confused by how Sokari can allow other peoples perceptions of entitlement have any valid weight on her shoulders today - with knowing and creating work about the people of her direct and/or distant family who helped shaped the country she lives in today, in addition to The Queen honouring her works. Sokari is well educated with a voice that has the sweetest tone and the most on point Received Pronunciation accent that I’ve heard since watching a period drama. I felt second-class in her presence. So I asked her how to deals with feeling like a second-class citizen and she said, “be the best at what you do”. I need not dig any more. Although that sparked my interest to ask her about her white husband and being a mother to a mixed race girl my age, but I didn’t want to go Piers Morgan or Oprah Winfrey on her.

Her favourite artist whilst studying was Jean Tinguely, a swiss painter and sculptor who often used kinetic art. She says she likes things that move as you know what their doing. She likes the amusement and humor of his work and is particularly fond of the lips Tinguely and his wife Niki De Sant Phalle created.

During her BA they were very supportive (a class of five, completely jel) and she was able to make kinetic work with the support of technicians at University. The moving aspect of the art starting from parts purchased at a local motor shop or old toys (she fondly remembers toys being more technical in construction yesteryear rather that a simplistic looking circuits we see today that are impossible to decipher unless trained). Unbalancing a weight on there motors can make something wobble – she enjoys playing with power, although she said this in regards to kinetic energy but I imagine it to mean power in a wider context after learning the politics of her present work.

Caption: Detail of one of six large figures

Trying to get an idea of how Sokari went from art student to famous artist (in hope I could replicate her success of cause) I ask her if the successes of her degree show (mentioned earlier) lead to work and she replied, “Oh no I was only a graduate”. In my mind I thought ‘Wow, today that would somehow lead to a capsule collection for Topshop and a half a dozen offers for a paid internship in established design companies at the very least’. The following academic year she attended The Royal College of Art, graduating in 1986 (masters were three years back then rather than the one of today). To my surprise she said festivals were her inspiration whilst studying.

Her sculptural work evolved from sting and glue, to wood, to kinetic, then steel. How does one become involved with steel? Was this something to do with her Nigerian roots? No. An introductory welding course she took in London. I asked her what qualities she liked about the metal, ‘little things holding up massive things’, being the most prominent of the aspects she listed.

Her steel structures are often complimented with other materials. Often acrylic paint, acetate, plastic and fabric, and at one point she had a ‘romance with feathers’. The scale of the pieces may be partially due to the fact that she likes making public work. She describes her works as ‘intuitive, serious, different stories, conversation, mundane and life’. I asked her what her most expensive commission was, “Nothing has sold for a million,” she modestly stated. I laugh saying “that’s a lot of money”. And she replied “you know some artists sell pieces for that much these days”. In deed I do I thought in my head, Damien Hirst springing to mind. After some thought she says a hospital in Germany was her most expensive commission, a tree branch influenced piece. I asked if there was a minimum fee to create work and the answer was no. Generally the cost of work depended on who you were. I asked if could take her price list and she curiously asked me why in her sweet voice. I told her I was curious of the prices. I happened to of not left with the list…

Caption: A section of the welding area in her studio

Sokari Douglas Camp is currently working on a Bahamas based commission that has been on going for two years. It’s been delayed due to change of government but she’s very excited to work with innovative international curators who are breaking boundaries. She gave me a small insight to the (judgemental) class system in the Bahamas which I was unaware of and again surprised that she could manage to find another place in the world, this time not white dominated, yet still feeling so inferior. For me Sokari’s work is mostly about representing the Nigerian, modern or traditional and saying I’m here and I want to be noticed (in scale and context).

Her next exhibition, titled ‘Dressed To The Nines’ is at the Stefan Stux Gallery in Chelsea, NYC.

Twitter Sokari @S_DouglasCamp
Visit her website here

Please leave a comment below.

Thank-you for reading, Yemzi.

Interview with Sokari Douglas Camp (CBE)

2012-10-16T22:20:00.002+01:00

Yemzi meets Sokari Douglas Camp!

For those of you that follow my Twitter you would have seen me mentioning a meeting with an artist. That artist is British-Nigerian sculptor Sokari Douglas Camp and I will be posting my interview and pictures here! Check back later during the week. Unlike my other interviews this one will be written in prose rather than Q&A.

African Market & Cow's Foot

2012-10-14T17:21:00.001+01:00

Last Sunday I visited the African Market in the Rich Mix, Shoreditch.

The event was organised by Open The Gate, an organisation dedicated to shining light on African culture primarily through music and design events.

The market took place in a hall space filled with several stalls offering African inspired jewellery, homewear, art and even beauty products such as Ghana shea butter, black soap and Egyptian perfume. The warm atmosphere was enhanced with drummers on stage and hot food being served by the bar. This stage hosted the Africa's Cow Foot permanence afterwards at the price of £8 per person (review to come).

Pictures from the market which ran 12-7pm, free to all...

Anna Agyekum - taught pattern cutting and garment construction by her Ghanaian boyfriend's mother, her pieces are great quality and reasonably priced

Morris Thompson draws my friend Jen (Miss Ghana Personality 2011) caricature style

Azawala - African inspired art from various artists were on sale, prices ranging from £30 to £700

House Of Loulee's beautifully presented stall and items made me consider buying for my unborn child lol

Meen Clothing - the go to stall for bright Afrocentric jewellery

I took the opportunity to buy Shea Butter for unrelaxed afro hair at the market.

I enjoy the process of melting the butter in my palm before I apply it with my Black Jamaican Castor Oil. (I need to do a hair update post!)

Part two of the day was African's Cow Foot.

Alim Kamara presented the show in which there was live music and tales told via instruments, song and word.

Usifu Jalloh is a very talented storyteller from Sierra Leone (pictures above).

He told simplistic stories with a repetitive hook which he picked up in his country.

Usifu brought energy and laughter to the audience with his narratives, singing and drumming all incapsulated in his warm character. His style would engage very well with children.

As an event marketed for an adult audience I was expected the stories to be more complex in regards to building of character and setting. However this was the first African story event I've been to and I did enjoy it. Most of the audience engaged on prompt (1. clap, 2. stomp your feet and 3. 'Eh-ehh"). 1 and 2 I did but that 'eh-ehh' African noise I was too shy to say aloud (but of cause when I got home I said it many time to myself lol).

The talented London Nigerian based singer/actress Ayo-Dele Edwards who dropped her first album this week gave the night it's soul vocals. Who knew the Yoruba language could sound so beautiful?

And last on stage was the skillful Saidi Kanda a Tanzanian Mbira player (amongst many other instruments).

(left to right) Presenter Alim, story-teller Usifu, Ayo's guitarist, Saidi the mbira player and Ayo the singer.

I had a fun day experiencing African (and it's diaspora's) talent, more of which I intend to discover on my journey.

P.S I have so many photos from this event, please contact me if you require any.

Black Market

2012-10-11T23:09:00.001+01:00

Going to keep this one short and sweet.

Blogging to express something I couldn't say in 140 characters on Twitter.

Yet something I feel is valid enough to share here.

So here goes...(I'm being long winded already lol)

I saw this video via @BBCAfrica:

Which made me think about the notion of 'creating you own', if you like.

These groups can be boys/girls, hetro/homo, popular/unpopular and so on.

Of cause in this case I am talking about 'race'.

What BET started in 1980.

Something Ghana Fashion Week which is currently doing (with acknowledge from Vouge Italia I must add).

Even what Arise Magazine and their fashion shows and other various black cooperations have done.

Create for your market.

Like Gaddafi's African currency plan?

Everybody knows great business fills a gap in the market.

Black people wanted to see characters/representation of themselves on t.v, hello BET.

Talented designers and beautiful black women to wear their garments want recognition but there's extremely limited room on the runway for. Hello Africa Fashion Week.

In the predominately white business of fashion where can I find stylish black girls (I scream pulling on my 'fro lol)?!

Thank-you BGK

Gold, diamoands and oil ect rich Africa, yet still economically lagging behind, hello the idea of our own own united current. Goodbye Gaddafi and the gold dinar.

Point being, if the shoe doesn't fit, try to make you own, hopefully the opposing market that is initially stronger doesn't kill you in the process.

Note: Never live in fear. Take bold risks.

The Way-C tablet despite small sales, is a step forward!

Something like choosing to go to your local fruit shop or butchers over Tesco (aka mission world food store domination).

What do YOU think? Leave a comment if you have an opinion.

Solange x Losing You

2012-10-07T09:07:00.001+01:00

Much like my current journey in discovering my African roots, this is a snapshot of Solange's creative interpretation of self-discovery

Inspiration: Gentlemen of Bacongo images
Location: South Africa
Direcetor: Melina Matsoukas

FADER interview with Solange for details on the video

Made In Chelsea Exclusive - Series 4

2012-10-04T13:03:00.003+01:00

Behind the scenes of the Series 4 Made In Chelsea trailer. Password: MIC

Date: 17th September

Location: Battersea Park

First pic of the day with Jamie Laing.

I don't know why I was surprised he was so nice, he came across well on series 3, maybe because he was just 10x more warm and friendly than any other cast member and had lots of energy.

Spencer, Proudlock and Jamie

What is wrong with Spencer? Why is he mentally murdering Jamie?

Or this that his side-profile model face?

It was around the moment when this picture was taken that I realised Spencer is very much the character he is portrayed on television (these people are themselves but editing can change what we perceive). I smiled at him and he gave me this smirk back as if to acknowledge I smiled at him but to purposely not give one back. I don't know maybe I smirked at him first, I defiantly didn't give him much of a smile. I've been told my face gives away exactly what I'm thinking.

Minutes later another non-official on set like myself is quite annoyed with Spencer. He'd asked her to take photos of the guys as they were being photographed (on what looked to be a gold plated iPhone *vom*) and he snatched his show piece back without thanking her. Spencer is the Kanye West of Made In Chelsea. But Kanye gets away with being [insert appropriate phrase here] because his talent is truly exceptional. Can someone remind me what Spencer is good at again?

Binky - her face was like that the whole day. I don't a have anything else so say...

...I noticed she arrived in a Wildfox couture jumper, I freaking LOVE WILDFOX COURTURE!

(Above) The new boys! (left to right) Andy, Stevie and Sam

I found it very endearing to hear the words "we're still getting used to this" as I look on at them as they uncomfortably fidget until they find their pose. Although obviously all the cast have a lot of money photo shoots and general 'celebrityism' isn't what they are used to. They tell me they were in office jobs and got the break at Made In Chelsea after being approached by the shows producers. There point of entry was Jamie (MIC doesn't introduce randomers, they are from the same circles). Some have previously been offered but declined, Stevie being one, worried what his friends may think. Naw. And after I told Andy why I was on set (this random black girl, also in rompers/riding pants, leopard platform creepers, just analysing the set seemingly with no purpose), he asks as an E4er could I direct some traffic to his Twitter page. Of cause I said yes, but I didn't say how successful I'd be in doing that (lol I have less than 200 followers myself). Andy is really on this fame game, easy tiger, series 4 drops soon and your followers will shoot through the roof.

Tweet Andy: @Andyjordan01

Sidenote, I'm looking out for Sam to rival Spencer is season four, he has a mischievous look in his eyes and I think he could cause some havoc.

There are also two new girls, Sophia and Ianthe, I didn't see much of them of set that day so no exclusive pics, sorry!

Gab

I take credit for this pose. She was claiming she looked fat and that her arm looked huge ect. So I told her to put her hand on her hip. She instantly shed pounds. She didn't look bad before but I have to say she looked a lot better after my 'art direction' lol.

Victoria

Way more of a surprise that Jamie. She comes across of the show as so snobby and unpleasant but in person she was quite the opposite. I love that leather jacket over the layered dress and Louboutins combo. She has this well spoken but unusual accent which may be explained though her half Figian roots. Interesting.

Cheskas dog, the cutest thing strutting around set!

Tune in to series 4, Monday October 15th, 10pm, E4!

Our American cousins are going to be airing MIC on their tv sets, how exciting for the shows creators and cast. No doubt a reinforcement of Notting Hill/Bridget Jones Diary idea of London, but will they love it or loath it?

Comment below!

Yes, I am against slavery, please let me in

2012-10-04T04:09:00.001+01:00

I'm back again!

On Monday I moved from my tranquil sea-side home that is Bournemouth back to the creative smog of London.

This time, for the first time since I was born, I'm living in East London again.

I thank the power above I managed to find somewhere to live just in time to begin my 3rd and final year of my BA!

And right now I've particularly grateful that it's in East London.

This area breeds life, creativity and talent.

It makes sense that I was born here! Haha jokes

(Top of wall by Ben Eine)

(bottom left detail of knitted street art by Olek!)

I picked up The Metro on Monday, saw a little ad for a street art exhib in my new area.

I decided simultaneously that I'd go.

Two days later, on the evening of this event I thought I'd google it, as you do, find out more dets.

I learn there's a guestlist. FFS. Metro never mentioned this!

I go anyway.

I get to the door (after semi-circling the building pictured above, that's after peering at it through my bus window not realising this was the building I was actually looking for, and walking 5 minutes back to it following Google Maps - my common sense takes unexpected trips sometimes)

I say I was at the door, I was actually one group of five girls away from the entrance, in the guest list que.

After seeing the non guest-list que opposite, about 60 people long I decide I will wing my way through, somehow.

I'm asked my name.

"Elizabeth I reply". "Or I may of put it down as Yemzi".

"...Elizabeth Akingbade." (idk why I said this, I knew I was defiantly not on the guest list, and it's not like my surname is Smith)

*incoherent words from the foreign chick searching for my name across several A4 sheets*

"Sorry, what did you say?" I ask her.

"I can't find you...are you Elizabeth Donovan?"

I didn't want to lie, I clearly had just said my name is Elizabeth Akingbade.

Maybe we couldn't understand each others accents.

I'd feel bad to deny someone of a spot in this exhib who had actually made the effort to put themselves on guestlist, unlike myself. I am a moral person but I wouldn't feel bad for long tbh. I say that's not my name more due to the fact I so clearly gave her an unusual surname and I felt somehow I couldn't then just say yes Donovan, even though I'd so get away with it.

"I'm sorry there's nothing I can do." she says clearly.

Soon enough I was in the thriving hipster packed exhibition space anyway. Thanks to the brown face also on the door who asked if I'm an Anti-Slavery supporter.

Obviously I said yes. Although I'm not officially one but of course I'm against slavery so I didn't lie right?

So I make my way around the space, Tweeting and Instagraming as us young things do.

And then this awfully eccentric man, about 35, 6ft in height and beautifully imposing in build and facial structure approaches me and insists on purchasing for me any piece of art I desire in the room, at any cost.

Just kidding, that part of the story is completely fabrication, the only human interaction I had in that place was the exchange of excusing and pardoning between myself and strangers because of the high density of people in the square metres. A slight digression, but I feel it's necessary because I haven't blogged regularly in forever so many of you don't know me anymore (and for those of you who are new to my blog), I've recently finished watching Series 2 of Single Ladies and that little scenario probably popped in my brain from that show. Could imagine that happening to Kisha.

This post is turing into a novella, let me wrap it up here with a few images and the price the art sold for, raising money for Anti-Slavery (forced labour such as human trafficking for prostitution, construction, domestic work - it's very real and happening under our noses - Robbie Williams and some other famous lady also told us so on video clips especially recorded for the event before the bidding went underway)

First to auction was 'Sweet Toof' by Chomps (2012)

76x76cm Acrylic and glitter on canvas

Sold at auction for £2,800.

Second up was The Toaster by Toaster Glow (2012)

100cm x 100cm Spray paint on canvas

Sold at auction for £1900

Third up

III Communication (2012) by David Shillinglaw

Mixed paint on canvas 240cm x 170cm

Sold for £1600

Fourth up, and my favourite. Coincidentally I was tidying up my iPhoto and I can across some pictures I took of this artists work in an Islington Art gallery a few year ago. Absolutely love the way Matt Small uses paint.

243 x 243cm Mixed media on two wooden panels

This piece titled John Mbolwe sold at it's reserve price of £5000

Any finally...

Our Sotheby's auctioneer couldn't get 1k so he started with a £1 and drastically jumped up in 5's, 10's and hundreds in a fun manner until it reached £800.

Game Over (2012) 160 x 75x 61cm by Ryan Callanan

Well now I can say I've been to a Sotheby's auction and I can't help but dream about going again and starting my own art collection!

And what's a modern day event without live music?

These guys jumped on the stage straight after the auction.

I didn't catch their name but they sound just like the Rizzle Kicks, too much so.

Follow Your Art

Yemzi

The Victorian Black British Princess

2012-10-03T00:45:00.000+01:00

I've been meaning to post about my abundance of E4 related excitement, which many of you are catching glimpses of here.

BUT, I haven't yet! Maybe I'll get around to doing that alongside a review of the first episode of the new series 4 that drops on Channel E4 October 14th, and I can give you my personal insight to the characters (seeing as I met so many of the cast members two weeks ago on the set of their current promotional trailer in Battersea Park :-P).

Now, the reason I wrote this post is because I'm fascinated by a Nigerian Princess called 'Sarah Forbes Bonetta'. The daughter of a King in Nigeria.

I came across her after looking up 'Yoruba' in the Twitter search engine.

At the age of eight the orphaned girl was a given to Queen Victoria as gift from King Gezo.

More fascinatingly, via Commander Federick Forbes, a British naval officer, who was trying to stop King G trading people.

Sarah's African name was unknown (lets pretend it was Yemi :)).

Commander FF named her Sarah and gave her his surname, and 'Bonetta' came from the ship he travelled to Nigeria on, HMS Bonetta.

Sarah was 'interesting' and intelligent and the Queen funded her education after learning about her circumstances. She was not a mere charity case, she visited Windsor Castle on many occasions. Years later when Sarah had a child she named her Victoria after her Godmother, yes, Queen Victoria herself!

It would be easy to assume Victorian England was extremely racist and that the black people present in England would only be slaves but this story tell a fascinating account of a young Nigerian girl who was both a Nigerian and British Princess.

Bit-Nig idol much!

What a great story to discover during black history month.

Please leave a comment below if you know any other people like Sarah who may interest me :)

x

Source

A Year Since

2012-09-09T13:05:00.000+01:00

The night before last I decided to make a quick edit of some footage I have taking up space in my Mac. I haven't been to many places around the world (only Turkey, Spain, Amsterdam and Greece in the past few years and Germany, Poland, Belgium and Paris in the same week almost ten years ago) but the United Arab Emirates, which I visited a year ago this month and in May, is my favourite country so far. I'm actually planning on getting the EuroTunnel to Paris with a friend in the near future, I know it will be a completely different experience from going on a school trip aged 12! But will it beat UAE? We'll have to wait and see.
Unfortunately the video doesn't give much of an idea of UAE apart from the fact they do not play around when it comes to hotels! But four top reason I love UAE is because the weather is hot but theirs plenty of air conditioning; visually it's stunning - the architecture is phenomenal and there's a sense of plush modernness and wealth all around; it's got life but it's not over-crowded (how much better would London be minus traffic and sweating tubes?), the shopping is really great, you can find on trend piece that you can't get back in the UK - Dubai has the world biggest shopping mall.

x

Nigeria x London 2012 Olympics

2012-07-30T01:17:00.004+01:00

Nigeria at London Olympics opening ceremony. That is all.

Forever21

2012-07-17T00:36:00.001+01:00

July 2012:

Hey guys, its been a while. I don't really have an excuse either, sorry.

I have been up to plenty I could blog about...

For example in June I finished the second year of my degree successfully, and visited a really great exhibition of BA & Fda Surface Design final shows at my Uni.

I have all that hard work, stress and excitement to look forward to next June, if I don't take a gap year.

I've visited Dubai again (I don't think I blogged about it the first time either), and Magaluf, during the time in which Spain won the Euros.

I tanned.

& partied.

O yea, I've developed a fair bit of interest in football.

Maybe one day you'll know the full story.

Last week I celebrated my 21st birthday.

21.

Wow.

'9 years until your 30', one card noted inside.

Eek.

A few days after I went to London for my E4er job role.

Channel 4 Studios x Hard Rock Cafe x Clink Hostel.

Hostels are pretty cool!

(E)4 I love you, you amazing company & television channel(s).

When I got back home the graphic tablet I ordered with my birthday money had arrived.

You can see my first creation (above), created today, 16.07.12.

And with the other bit of my bday dosh I got my tragus pierced, I've wanted it done for years.

Goodbye for now.

I may not blog here very regularly but between my Facebook, Instagram and Twitter I post several times a day! Keep connected...

www.faceook.com/officialyemzi

Instagram: Yemzi

www.twitter.com/officialyemzi

Interview with Mark Arhin of SuperLight Music

2012-04-14T16:58:00.001+01:00

Brit-Nig catches up with UK born Ghanaian Mark Arhin, owner of an exciting new, and extremely innovative music promotion company. Here’s what he has to say…

Y: Hi Mark, can you sum up who you are in one sentence?

M: I am a man who seeks ways to establish his beliefs.

Y: Where does your passion for music derive from?

M: Since I was a child music was the rhythm of our excitement, music symbolised joy and inspiration. It’s what governed my emotions and thought patterns.

Y: Do you have a favourite genre of music?

M: Although I grew up listening to different types of music I would find it hard to say that Hip-Hop wasn’t my favourite genre. It was the genre I identified my-self with as a child, it presented an outlet that doesn’t really exists in the same manor with other genres. So for them reasons I couldn’t say anything else but Hip-Hop.

Y: If you could go to one artists or bands concert (alive or dead) who would it be and at which venue (demolished or standing)?

M: Um, I don’t really have any specific love for a particular venue, although a nice intimate one like Jazz café would be good. I would probably like to see Fela Cuti perform the most. He is a man who truly lived for his ideals, and out of the spirit of God he produced one of the most influential music on earth to this day.

Y: How did your company SuperLight come about and how long has it been established?

M: The initial idea for this type of company was when I was about 15, I didn’t really understand how it would work but the inspiration was sparked. Then while I was doing an internship at Virgin Unite in 2010 the idea came back to me, but this time it was viable due to the advancements of the internet. I then developed the idea for about a year and officially established the company early 2012.

Y: What external support did you get in the process to launching your own company?

M: I joined the Princes Trust as I wanted to confirm my plan wasn’t just a fairy tale. They had faith in me and confirmed to me that it could work, the mentor they assigned me also helped me to be more specific and precise with the company.

Y: Super Light’s promotion package branches into different specialties such as recording, graphics and photography, how important do you think this is in terms of an artist’s success?

M: If you make music in order for people to hear, then its essential that everything you do is done to the highest standard. People mostly see with their eyes, therefore the same eyes that look at the superstars are the same eyes judging you, at whatever level you are at. They need to know you, feel you and see you in a clear precise way. That’s why anyone we affiliate with provides innovative services that think out the box. The recording studio must provide the highest levels of quality, otherwise how can you expect potential fans to take you serious if you don’t even sound serious yourself, they must hear you like they hear their favourites, your graphics have to be individual otherwise you will melt into the crowd, and your photography needs to represent more than your image, but the story behind your image. That’s how audiences identify with anything, because it’s so clear to them. If you don’t sit outside the box, then you won’t be seen.

Y: What’s in the pipeline for SuperLight?

M: A very busy 2012, we have a very creative team with a non-stop work ethic, we aim to establish ourselves as the go to brand for any aspiring musician with an integral approach. Making music is about the creation of the music way before the creation the gains.

Y: If one of the Brit-Nig readers is interested in putting together a few singles with the help of your promotion to see if music is their calling how could SL help them and how much would it cost?

M: We would professionally deliver each song, accompanied with a press release, promotional material, visuals and images to our large database of music industry folk. Depending on the type of sound, we would carefully select the most useful contacts with a personal approach. Depending on how many singles they have, promotion would begin at £129.

Y: Which emerging artists should we be keeping an ear out for?

M: Im going to talk about the Superlight Camp for this one; we have Ceaser, Mosik, Maear, Ric*, Will Lite, and J Season, Mylz, Bleu and Tony Bones. They all have music coming out this year and will 100% ignite change within the UK Music scene.

Y: What tips would you give people thinking about setting up a music related business in the current economical climate?

M: Don’t think too big to fast, stick with your initial idea and let it grow from there. Don’t try to be everything and everyone at the same time. Utilise the talents of other people, these times are about connecting with people. There is power in numbers and there is power in unity. If you use the skills of other people, it will collectively provide a stronger foundation for your business. Aim for the true spirit of communities at current and don’t buy too much into the commercialised machine that you think is the craze, it’s not, they just have the most money. If you look at the industry over the last two years, and think about all the types of artists that have caused a huge stir you will note that many of them have an organic appeal to their audience they represent new energies and new ideals that the mainstream labels are being forced to accommodate to because people no longer believe in the machine.

Y: If not music, what industry could you imagine yourself in?

M: Right now, I think I would be in construction back in Africa, most likely Ghana.

Y: Thanks Mark, any final words?

M: Yeah, the best words of advice I can give is that everything you do should be for a real spiritually connected purpose, the money, clothes, adventures and partying are just things you do along the way. I say that so boldly because if you don’t live for your true purpose, your life just goes round in circles as you keep searching for something to fill its void, enjoy the journey and don’t get to distracted.

Keep up to date with SuperLight Music:

Twitter: @SuperLightMusic

Facebook: www.facebook.com/superlightmusic

Website: www.superlightmusic.com Call: 0208 123 3095

Marvell(ous) Music

2012-03-21T02:08:00.000+00:00

I bumped into these guys outside a hotel in central London last week whilst I was heading home from a shopping trip with a friend. Three black men in suits being snapped, hmm who are they, I had to find out...

I approached them and shyly asked, fearing they might give me attitude for not knowing yet having the cheek to ask as they were being shot by a photographer. Double S told me their group name (with no attitude). It rang a bell, I have heard of them a few times before. I ask for a picture and the three kindly agreed; their assistant even offered to hold my bags whilst I posed for a picture! I said it was fine and put my bags on the floor, one of which held my first pair of designer heels, brown Michael Kors.

I've just bumped into Marvell again tonight on WorldStarHipHop! They are no doubt guys to look out for in the future, or should I say theirs no doubt you won't come across them again in the future...

I like their take on The Motto with the London vibe & they are a down to earth group.

Verdict: Instant fan.

Keep up to date with them here: http://marvellmusic.co.uk/

D'Banj - Oliver Twist Music Video

2012-03-18T18:06:00.001+00:00

If you know about the Azonto dance wave then you'll recognise Bricka from the 'white boy azonto' YouTube video.