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Thanks to panellist Carroll Thompson and the
lively and impassioned audience who helped make the 'Women' debate one of the
best. There was a lot more time to cover various issues. It seems like the
British female artist does no wrong, as all the examples of artists with
questionable styles were American!
After our second Black
Music Records & African Crafts Fair, which took place March 20, we are
taking a well-earned break before our next off-line activity, which is
the Is
it black music or urban music?
debate on Saturday May 22 2004, 3-6pm. Judging by the early bookings, it looks
set to be one of our biggest debates yet. To book: click black
or urban?
Talking about urban music - the Princess Trust
plans raising its profile among young people by launching the The Prince's Trust
Urban Music Festival on May 8-9 at Earl's Court, London. It is headlined by
Jay-Z, with Alicia Keys, plus several UK acts including Big Brovaz, Roachford,
Blak Twang, Amy Winehouse, Keisha White, Lemar, Jamelia, and Dizzie Rascal.
Although it may be a coup to get Jay-Z out of retirement, is he one of rap's
"greatest lyricists" as the press release claims, and indeed, can we
stage a successful black music ceremony without relying on the Americans to take
centre stage? If the Prince's Trust needs an American to headline its black
music, what is it saying to its many black potential entrepreneurs? Homegrown is
not good enough? www.princes-trust.org.uk/umf/event.asp
Talking about urban, following on the Geoff
Schumann sacking from Choice FM - you can see the response
from Graham Bryce, the Capital Radio head honcho overseeing Choice (and XFM).
That response is a reply to Merrick Hart of PurehArt's pointed letter to Bryce.
Incidentally Capital is looking for a head of music from its number one station
for urban music. See back pages of the March 20 2004 issue of Music Week for the
specs and send off that CV!
PEACEFUL
WEEKEND
The second annual Peace on the Streets weekend is
back on Choice 96.9 and 107.1. this
weekend, Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st March 2004. The issue iof gun crime will
be discussed through the weekend. At least we are getting some thoughtful talks
in between the music.
HERITAGE MUSIC
Merrick Hart of PurehArt Heritage Education
Services is behind the committee co-ordinating the 200th anniversary
of Britain’s Abolition Of Slave Trade (BAST) Bill (1807). Its activities
include the British Music Trade & Industry seminar. The BAST Promotional
Heritage Education Talk will be held on: Thursday March 25 2004, 6.00 pm - 9.00
pm Greater London Authority, City Hall, The Queen's Walk, London, SE1 2AA.
Nearest tube: London Bridge Station.
UK LIVE
Lemar
impressed us greatly with his March 4 concert at London’s Shepherd’s Bush
Empire. It place was packef like I have never seen it since that last Beverley
Knight concert. It’s not surprising Lemar’s ‘Dedicated’ album’s gone
platinum-plus. His audience was very mixed. You had many white people, and the
age ranged from the young to middle aged-plus. More importantly most were
genuine fans, as they could sing along to all the songs. ‘50/50’ to me was
Lemar’s more assured performance. Lemar will be on a UK tour starting on May
30 at Bournemouth BIC and ending June 20 at Portsmouth Guildhall. www.lemar-online.com/lemar/
Sat on a
panel on March 10 at Hackney’s Community College that judged the best rap
which highlighted the issues around NO Smoking Day. Some were of the performers
were good, but didn’t concentrate on the issue at hand. One artist who
concentrated on the topic, to the extent of reciting the No Smoking helpline
phone number, had to start three times. It wasn’t until he sat on the floor,
echoing the image on Dizzie Rascal’s album cover, that he finally got the work
finished. But it was worth it. He exuded an air of determination, which was what
got him through the competition. The host was Lyrikal, an impressive and
conscious beat boxer and rapper.
OPENED
MIKE
Following the success of ‘Hearing Voices: Ancestral Echoes’ during Black
History Month, Dimela Yekwai is staging a series of four successive Friday
evening events in the Studio on 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th May. This is a
series of poetry and stories (a variation of artists and focus each week), where
everyone will be welcomed to a friendly, nurturing environment, sharing black
culture and experiences, words, sounds and movements. Everyone is encouraged to
come and participate. Mind
Soundz productions directed
by Dimela Yekwai. Tickets: £4.50 (Concessions £3.50). Cowan Studio
Theatre - Kenneth More Theatre Complex, Oakfield Road, Ilford opposite the Town
Hall and the Ilford Central Library. Box Office: 020 8553 4466. Dimela@poetic.com
NEW
AFRICAN
Uncle
Sam’s African programme on Choice FM moves from March 27 to Saturdays
10pm-midnite. You can catch it live on www.choicefm.com,
or check out Uncle’s weekly playlist at http://www.unclesamofafrica.com/Playlists.htm.
GINUWINE
ONE NIGHT
R&B
star Ginuwine plays announces a 'one off' London date on April
15 @ Shepherds Bush Empire. Ticket Prices:- £22.50.
SISTER
CARROLL & CO.
Singer-songwriter Carroll Thompson, who was a
panellist at our recent Women debate, may not be performing in the ‘In
Celebration Of My Sisters’, but she’s still very much in the background
acting as the musical director. March
26-27, 7pm at the Royal Festival Hall on 26 & 27 March.
For booking information: http://www.rfh.org.uk/main/events/91684.html?section=contemporary&file
GOOD
LABEL
Hot
rapper/producer Kanye West has a record label called Very Good.
1XTRA HIP HOP
WEEKENDER
We forgot to mention in the last State address that its 1xtra's second ‘Hip
Hop Weekend’ this weekend from 7pm March 19th till March 22nd. The 59 hour
broadcast will include the channels usual DJ line-ups featuring live events,
battles, interviews, turntablism, documentaries and some of the biggest named
DJs and MCs passing through the studios. Listen out for guest shows from The
Scratch Perverts, Awesome 2, Est’elle, Pharoah Monch,
Fatman Scoop and Kanye West. Check out the full weekend schedule
online.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/1xtra (culled from
State Address state@izm.co.uk.)
LIGALI CALLING
Ligali, the organisation which challenges
misrepresentation of black people in the media, is calling upon conscious
African-Britons to meet on Monday March 22 at The Market Bar, London, EC3N 2HT
at 7pm. You are welcome to drop by and find out more about the organisation
in an informal and friendly setting. www.ligali.org
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