In 2008 being only 18 years old she won the contest Heineken Green Space becoming the first rap and youngest artist in doing so. She considers this to be the highlight of her career because it enabled her to record her first professional album: ‘Jugando’ (Playing). However, being so young, and being a woman rapper in Spain is hard. ‘There is not much of a rap industry in Spain and unfortunately, there are more men than women in it. There is less competition for me but at the same time there are less chances to learn’.

In Spain hip hop is still a strange culture. ‘For Spanish people rap has very bad connotations. They think of the ‘gangsta’ image that the commercial hip hop from the USA shows.’ Aid formed ‘Creating HipHop’, an initiative that organises workshops in schools and cultural spaces to bring the good side of hip hop culture to young people. ‘I tell them that hip hop is about being yourself. Your lyrics reflect how you feel and who you are. If you are good, your rap will talk about good things too.’

Aid considers the option of leaving Spain and going somewhere else to continue growing personally and professionally. ‘Here if you say you are an artist they think you are wasting your time but in other countries people take you seriously’. One of the places she would like to go is Brazil because of the language familiarity. ‘In Galicia we speak Galician that is close to Portuguese so I feel comfortable with this language’. Using her mother tongue is important and natural for her. Aid has collaborated with a book editorial house in Galicia to compose rap music for the text of some of the most famous Galician poets. ‘Sometimes we give more value to the things we don’t have than to the ones we owe. Galician is my language and I am proud of it.’

In the upcoming months she will release her new album and will be touring around Spain. However, she does not close any doors, ‘I want to continue learning in every aspect of my life so that I can make the best decisions. I hope to nourish myself of everything that surrounds me and life will take its own path’.

Despite of her age Aid has come this far with a solid head on her shoulders. For sure this young talented artist will have a bright future in anything she undertakes.

To follow up her work visit these links:

http://www.youtube.com/user/AidVigo

http://www.myspace.com/aid8990

http://www.aid.gl/

Johanna’s work ranges from fashion, children, weddings and even documentary. She shows us original points of view and tells stories in her pictures. For example, in her wedding books she doesn’t just show how is the wedding, she also speaks about her preparation.

Johanna tries “to take a mixture of natural documentary style, posed and some that may be a little different or quirky”. In her pictures she put attention in little details that could be unnoticed. Joanna’s pictures transmit casual and natural moments. In most of them people are not acting or looking at the camera, they are just being themselves. Her pictures are about little details like funny socks, jewelry or a groom with his friends.

As you can see, in her documentary pictures, Johanna brings us the Brazilian life with two projects. One is Pro World, which is based in a school in Salvador, and the other is the Afro Reggae Project, based in Rio.  Johanna remembers that was “wonderful seeing what the groups are doing for these communities. The Afro Reggae Project is inspiring youth in the favelas with music. I heard music throughout, large groups of children practicing percussion with their teachers”.

In her documentary photography, if the image is of a person, Johanna wants “to capture something about them and possibly show something about what is happening in their life at the moment”. On the other hand, with fashion, she “could be trying to transmit a certain vibe or tell a story”.

“There are so many photographers I love: Annette Pehrsson, Jonas Peterson, Lucy Rice, Henri-Cartier-Bresson and many more”. She learns about other professionals and makes her own style.

Johanna is fortunate to be earning her living doing the job she loves. In the future she would like to gain more experience and possibly get into wildlife photography

If you want to see more photographs of Johanna and follow her work, check the links below:

http://www.johannamacdonald.com/

http://weddings.johannamacdonald.com/

https://www.facebook.com/JohannaMacdonaldPhotography

http://weddings.johannamacdonald.com/blog/

Kyle McKitty, now 23 years old, started dancing nine years ago in Manchester, his hometown. “I started a bit randomly,” Kyle said. “I saw a dance studio as I was walking down the street and I decided to go in.”  Although he won’t blow his own horn, he became a dance teacher himself, after having taken ballet lessons for just two years. Then he moved to London to study performing arts. Nowadays, apart from being a dance teacher at Paddington Arts, he is the co founder of UK Stand Up, a platform for dancers and choreographers in the industry.

“We are like an intermediate agency that merges dancers, choreographers, directors…and creates the best showcases.”  Since 2010 when UK Stand Up was formed, they have produced five shows presenting the best new, young, talented dancers. The showcase includes the best talent in the UK and different music styles from street, contemporary, and jazz. Their last show ‘Iconic Movements’ counts with famous artists from TV shows as X-factor or Got To Dance. Premiered last March at The Grand in Clapham Junction, it will be their first show on a tour outside London. In the coming months they will go to Manchester and Paris — both home cities of the two founders of UK Stand Up. “Our showcases have been well received in London, and we are now looking to expand and take them around the world,” said Kyle.

It can’t be doubted that one of the reasons for its success is Kyle’s passion about what he does. ‘The aspect of dancing that I enjoy the most is when I see the dancers giving it all on the stage, and then an agent approaches them and a contact has been made. Then I feel I have done my job.”

Despite his success at a young age, Kyle knows how difficult it is for new dancers to have a start in the industry. “More and more, agencies don’t take in new dancers so nowadays dancing… it is not very well marketed for young people.” He reckons that although the British dance industry is solid, the L.A. industry works better. ‘Their market is different. There is more demand so they have to work quicker and harder.”

In UK Stand Up they want to make a difference in the way people relate to dancing. They are working on a new project to educate youngsters in schools. Starting from September onwards, this project will not only include dancing sessions but a series of seminars and a Q&A with professionals. “It is important to teach young people not only how to keep fit through dance, but also how to get a career… how to get a job from dancing.”

Seeing his experience and success, this project will for sure contribute to having a stronger dance industry in the UK.

To follow up his work and UK Stand Up projects visit the link: http://www.ukstandup.tv/

The concept of her art it is to create a world where beauty it is not necessary. ‘My characters represent their own beauty. Being beautiful it is not about hiding under layers of make up. Beauty to me is hidden underneath the skin.’

She wanted to be an artist since she was a little girl. ‘When I was 4, I told my dad I wanted to be a cartoonist after reading a Tom & Jerry comic book’.

‘Last year I went to Italy on a European programme to work and I had time to think, make choices and focus on my work’

Hasmine uses collage as the tool that helps her illustrate what she sees. The artwork is created by using magazine cut outs, illustrations on top with watercolours or pen and ink. ‘I think the horror films I watched during University influenced my work, helping me to create something different but playful.’

Her media illustrations talk about an imaginary world. She takes inspiration from her childhood memories when she left the Philippines and came to London. ‘Whilst I was growing up I was a quiet girl, all my friends were in the Philippines so I used to create my own world using my toys’. Even when she was not aware of it, she was already creating her own idea of beauty. ‘I had this imaginary friend name Beast, it was quite ugly for today’s society standards but we used to have these amazing adventures together.’

Life is not the fairy tale she imagined as a child so she likes to create her own in every illustration she makes. ‘My work takes the shape of a fairytale but I like to do it in my personal way and change the viewer’s way of looking at something.’ Animals also play an important role in her work. ‘I have this fascination with animals and I think it is because I was not allowed to have pets as a child.’

As she uses the concept of dreams and nightmares, sometimes her disfigured fairy tales might seem a bit scary but fear it is no the purpose of her work. ‘The characters that I create are friendly. I dislike creating something with a negative energy. Goffin’s Art is nightmarish but with a friendly approach’.

Hasmine would like to have a serious career in art. ‘In 10 years time I hope to see myself in Paris, in my own gallery, supporting new talented artists and drinking wine!’

Hasmine has managed to create her own world. With her works she share with us a fairy tale where beauty does not oppress but takes us to our dreams and childish memories.

To follow what she does check out her facebook profile here

https://www.facebook.com/TheArtOfGoffin?fref=ts

Caroline and Alice  are two Italian girls who like painting and fashion. They have mixed these two ingredients and they have set up an imaginative clothes brand: Les2coquettes.

When they arrived to London they decided to make their dream come true and they started making and selling their own clothes brand. They showed the designs on a website and they set up a stall in one of the markets in Brick Lane every Sunday. More and more people got to know them every day and they starting to recognize Les2coquettes brand.

They are making their hobby into their job. As they say, there is nothing better than working in what you like and expressing yourself with everything you do. “Sometimes you have to work hard, but then you see your work finished and people wearing our clothes, we feel so proud and happy.”

In each design, Alice and Caroline “want to transmit our feelings and emotions, everything that goes through our heads.” They are free to express how they feel or how they see the world. Their drawings are personal and speak about their lives. They take the inspiration “from everything that happens to us, from chatting in front of a beer to last thoughts before falling asleep. Every graphic is based on our lives.”

For their future plans, they would like to live only on t-shirt profits: pay the rent and eat with L2C, have a fashion brand and not only tees! The girls want to sell their clothes in all stores across Europe, have a testimonial and an apartment to themselves.

les2coquettes shop on line:
https://marketplace.asos.com/seller/les2coquettes/collection
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Les2coquettes

where to find us:
les2coquettes.com
facebook.com/les2coquettes
twitter.com/les2coquettes
instagram.com/les2coquettes
pinterest.com/les2coquettes/

Opposite to what many people think a female wrestler would look like, she is tiny and thin. ‘You don’t need to be skinny to wrestle but there can be gymnastics involved and the more athletic you are, the easier it gets on the ring to do certain moves.

The professional shows of Lucha Britannia as well as the training of the LSLL, take place at the Resistance Gallery, in one of the arches by Bethnal Green station. Going through this arch is like entering a whole different world. This is not in London anymore. This is a group of people sharing a unique experience. The audience gets together to support or to boo the wrestlers. And these wrestlers are not themselves anymore but the characters they are representing. ‘Apart from fighting you need to have performing skills. Some wrestlers talk to the audience to make them hate or like their characters’, explains Anais. The audience gets into the mood, they are also part of the show. ‘At the beginning of a show, you are asked if you want to hear the noise of the breaking bones. And every time a cheer rise back from the audience at this question.’

Having said this, don’t be too scared, the shows are choreographed. ‘Some people think that because the ending is predetermined that we don’t get hurt. If you can pretend some punches, however, you cannot give the illusion of a fall. You fall for real, on a ring that is just composed of a thin layer of wood and a mat. Falls and bumps are inevitable and cannot be faked. This is why our bodies get shattered after a while. Our backs take a lot of impact from bumps as well as pretty much every joints (particularly ankles, knees and shoulders).

http://youtu.be/8Wr4jMA2DoA

Training and building our bodies strengths and exercises like neck bridges are primordial as they can be live saving. Bruises and aches are our lot after every matches or training but it is generally taken away by the joy of it all.

Paradoxically wrestling makes you feel alive. You can even see people walking differently after a few months practising because of the confidence they gained.’’

Wrestlers practice their moves not only to keep fit but to find an harmony with the person they are fighting against. ‘You need to be musical in a way, to get a sense of rhythm in the ring. You need to get your timing right with the other wrestlers. A few seconds too late and you can end up dropping some one on their end.’

Each character of Lucha Britannia has its own storyline that evolves through the matches. As Anais explains ‘La Tigressa came to life because one of the existing character, ‘Tiger’ was in need of a companion’. Anais designed the costume for La Tigressa and ‘when the promoters saw it they encouraged me to develop that character.’ Lately there was only one other regular female wrestler on the show, Janey Britannico, and another feminine presence was needed.

Wrestling is exceptional because it involves many disciplines like choreography or acrobatics. Anais is exceptional too. Her combination of different skills allows her to be creative in different mediums. As an athletic person she can fight on the ring. She uses her performance skills not only as ‘La Tigressa’ for Lucha Britannia but she works on her own live art performances and for or with other artists on diverse artistic projects. She creates collages and when she has the opportunity she plays viola and record parts for bands.

Anais’ mixture of abilities makes her a unique artist. If you want to follow her work and her performances in Lucha Britannia visit these links.

Definitely it won’t leave you indifferent!

video by Amy Obarski

http://luchabritannia.com/

http://lalangea.wix.com/anais-lalange

Hannah is an example of ‘if you want to do something you just have to try it.’ She didn’t have any training; she uses “techniques that I’ve invented, misinterpreted or adapted. My approach is completely different to that of a traditional jeweler so I end up with unexpected results.”

We can see the influence of her love for Egyptian craft in her designs. “Their aesthetic is really warm and friendly and I think that’s something that I aspire to.”

The main material she uses is wax. One example are her rings made “out of a soft wax that would hold their fingerprints”. With this method, people can “carry a little bit of each other with them everywhere they go”.

Hannah considers herself lucky for being able to make her living by doing what she loves. Occasionally she also works as an art assistant. She hopes that in the future “people continue to be interested and encouraging about my work” and she says “the most important thing is to keep having fun and really enjoying what I do. It doesn’t matter if you have another job as long as you let your art to develop.”

If you want to know more about Hannah, you can see the following links:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/HannahRings/332466043518908

Website: http://hannahrings.com

You can even learn how to do rings with her tutorials on this link: http://hannahrings.com/tutorials

Born in sunny Ipswich, a town famous for its lack of fame, Thom has been pursuing the art of spoken word since the age of 16. ‘I started writing poetry when I was 16, because a girl I fancied used to be really into it. After I discovered I wasn’t half-bad I began to do live performances and it all spiralled outwards from there, with the typical chaos these things tend to have’.

Russell started rap battling at the age of 20, which alongside his experimental hip-hop, are his current priorities. ‘Rhyming words’ are the rappers overall passion and Russell thrives off the essential nature of the medium: ‘There’s nothing like connecting into a flow on a beat, and when you’ve nailed a decent verse in a song it puts you on a natural high’.

His topics take on ‘awkward stories’ about various failed conquests and ‘unpopular opinions about the world’. More often, TwoCan’s spoken word takes the form of experimental hip-hop. ‘I’ve always loved weird hip-hop. Artists like The Streets, Aesop Rock, Scroobius Pip, Dr Syntax- they all subvert the traditional image many people have of the genre’. Thom prides the versatility and flexibility he finds in hip-hop and tries to push it in new directions in his own work, in both subject matter and style; ‘That’s why I love it I guess, it’s an area in which you can always find new ground’. From topical to downright absurd and comical, the rappers skill comes from a unique fusion of the two. ‘Spliffstory’ shows of the rappers idiosyncratic approach, openly tackling the history of weed and its use in modern society over the peculiar beat, whilst ‘Bob Arctor 2’, pays homage to classic ‘boom-bap’ hip-hop beats with surreal TwoCan witticisms.

TwoCan’s high-energy has a positivity and light-hearted approach that is always ready with wit. ‘What I really want to do is make people laugh. As much as I enjoy doing serious work, I would rather be known for a cult comedy-rap album with a small but intense following than a commercial banger which made me millions. Millions would be nice though, I could buy that jet-ski I’ve always wanted’.

TwoCan sees his greatest achievement as an artist as going toe to toe in a battle with Unanymous and Chris Leese with Don’t Flop, home of UK battle rap, and coming out the other side better off. ‘They are two of the best battle rappers in the country, at international level, so to battle them in a 2 on 2 and have that boost my career rather than detriment it is pretty insane’.

Rap-battles are currently TwoCan’s most successful aspect of his rap-life and he gets them by attending lots of smaller events and ‘smashing it’.

‘They then ask me back more regularly and audience members there will usually go online and check out my music off of the back of a good battle (or what we in the industry call a ‘body bag’ performance)’. The rapper feels his art has boosted his confidence in life in a lot of ways. ‘Also writing about a certain subject can change your perspective. There have been a few situations where I’ve written a song on a specific topic and come out the other side with a changed viewpoint’.

Despite Russell’s success with the renowned Don’t Flop, he sees the ‘oversaturation in the hip-hop- market as his biggest set-back. But he advises to ‘keep grinding hard and doing what you do because you enjoy it and eventually somebody will recognise it and pull you up to the next level. It’s worked for me so far’.

‘My advice for anyone who wants to rap but doesn’t think they can to start doing it. Everyone is bad when they start. It’s not something you’re born with (unless you’re born with it), but something you learn over time. It’s taken me years to get even here, and I’ve still got a long way to go on my journey, but it’s all through practice’.

Photo by Izzi Davies

Video by DontFlop

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nFgDplSUCk

LINKS:

http://soundcloud.com/two-can/sets/bob-arctor-part-2/

http://massiveknob.bandcamp.com/releases

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxSboxkmYKM

Antonio is 25 years old and he has been interested in photography since he was a child. When his uncle gave him a camera, he realised photography was his passion. The thing that he liked the most was taking pictures of his family. He didn’t want to miss any moment with them. “One of the best things about pictures is that you are able to keep with you the good and special moments forever,” said Durán.

“Sometimes it looks like you even have emotions in your photos, like they have a special magic.”

One year ago Durán left Spain and arrived in London. At the moment, he is working in an office while improving his English. However, in order to develop his experience as a photographer he always finds the time to “move around the city and get lost in its corners.” With his pictures, he shows us a different way of seeing the city. He believes sometimes things can be different if you see them in several ways. You can find aspects that you had never seen before.

Antonio has different projects in mind but at this stage they are just ideas that have to be made real. He thinks that everything can arrive in life and he hopes he will finally get what he wants with his pictures. He says that he is not in a hurry right now because doing things in a rush is not good.  “Everything has its moment, like a photo”. He thinks that London can offer him this opportunity because it is a good place to grow as a professional.

With his pictures Antonio not only wants to show beautiful places, but also express different points of view. He wants people to feel right when they see his work. He likes different subjects but specially the urban photography. He photographs things that could be happening anywhere in our city, but we are just not aware of it. Apart from pictures of cities, he makes abstract photography by duplicating the image or playing with the colours.

Nowadays it seems that taking pictures is something that all of us can do. Social networks have plenty of photographs, but not all of them are professional. We cannot forget that taking a good photo is not easy. You have to know how to make the most out of your camera, how to manipulate it, how to play with the light, the colours… Powerful pictures can remain in the viewer’s mind forever. Sometimes the ideal picture suddenly appears, but some other times you really have to look for it and work hard to get it.

Antonio surprises us with his new pictures everyday. If you want to check out his photographs and follow him on facebook you can do it on the link below:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/ADRPhotography/195912547221046

Nicky peacock’s first novel, Bad Blood, will be available from May. It is a Vampires vs Zombies urban horror.
“A five-hundred-year-old bloody game of vengeance will need to be put on hold if vampires are to survive the zombie uprising. Britannia and Nicholas, bitter enemies and the only two surviving vampires left in London, have to work together to save un-infected humans and deliver them safely to a vampire stronghold in the Scottish Highlands. Unable to drink the zombie ‘bad blood’, the remaining vampires need the humans to stay alive. But will the vampires tell the survivors who they are and what they want from them? Will Britannia be able to hold back her vengeance for the greater good? Is survivor Josh the reincarnation of Britannia’s murdered true love? And can she bring herself to deliver him to the ‘safe’ hold? Survival instincts run deep, but bad blood can run deeper.”

Could a world exist where vampires, zombies and humans live together? This is the idea that Nicky Peacock is able to make us believe with her stories. She is a writer who loves the supernatural world, plenty of horror and paranormal romances.

Nicky’s passion is terrifying stories and she has been telling them since she was a child, when she told stories to her friends at school.

my dead heart

Today Nicky combines her passion for writing with her job in sales and marketing. In her free time she works with a writers group, Creative Minds. There are 12 members and their writing ranges from general fiction to horror. Being in contact with people who share your likes is useful because “having like-minded individuals around you will help to keep you motivated and of course give you the time and attention you need to flourish as a writer”.

night terrors2

If you want to know more about Nicky, her publications and Bad Bood you can visit the links bellow:

Website: http://www.creativemindswriting.co.uk/page8.htm

Blog where you can find advices to write http://nickypeacockauthor.wordpress.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nickyp_author