This Is Our Belfast
In recent weeks Belfast has seen protests and rioting from anti-immigration groups. A minority in our city, they seek to raise their voices to drown out the progressive place our city has become. They did not succeed. Our Belfast is a place of diversity, inclusion and incredible music. When 15,000 people turned out against racism in recent weeks at Belfast City Hall the work was only just beginning. There are forces at work in very difficult times trying to divide us, we need to be united now more than ever.
The arts have always played a huge part in bringing people together, Belfast has many lionheart arts and music organisations doing brilliant work in diversity and anti racism awareness through creativity. Dedicated organisations like ArtsEkta and Beyond Skin have provided a voice, a platform and vessel for promoting great talent from a range of cultures and backgrounds. And there are more blossoming and exciting mainstream success stories taking the lead and contributing to the economy, selling tickets, clocking up streams, signing contracts, running festivals, putting Belfast on the map for creativity, innovation and world class talent.
The biggest success story over the last while has to be Hip hop artist Jordan Adetunji, he recently released the track Kehlani in homage to the rapper of the same name. The song, penned in Jordan’s bedroom in Belfast, has now reached 120+ million streams on Spotify alone. Jordan was the first black hip-hop artist to perform on stage at Belfast’s Ulster Hall as part of the Northern Ireland Music Prize in 2019, the first of many we hope. Jordan’s global success is a proud moment for our city and a win for diversity.
Belfast’s rap and hip hop chances are being further helped by people like James Ayo. James set up Hotbox Entertainment to give a high fidelity home to the city’s rap and hip hop musicians and he’s built a catalogue of hundreds of tracks and counting. James gives voice to the marginalised and uses music as therapy and recovery for those who have struggled with depression or drug abuse.
He is about making a difference and is determined to make things better. In recent weeks the city lost the young rapper Rich Smicks. The untimely death comes after another young artist Woodzy also passed away, both under the age of 25. For James his mission is clear: prevent tragedies such as these by creating opportunities in spaces like Hotbox and lifting hope in the community.
Siobhan Brown of Manukahunney, a Soul singer, disciple and alongside her husband David a co-founder of Soultrane Festival. Her energy and spark is unparalleled and she brings you along with her. Her mission is fueled by the joy and connection of the soul genre, but her remit recalls all music of black origin and asks people to honour their sources and their roots.
In a city still recovering from recent pasts, community work is vital. Wilson Magwere is a Zimbabwean musician that has been a stalwart of community engagement here in Belfast for more than 20 years, he has given musical joy to thousands across the years and worked with more community groups and schools than it is possible to count.
Alicia Raye has been a tangible force for good. She champions women, she champions diversity and collaboration but above all she champions great music and has built a family of like minded creators around her vision of a more progressive and 'pop' leaning soundboard for the city. We're hooked.
And of course, the mighty Kwame Daniels, a well known DJ for many years across Derry and now Belfast. Kwame runs a company called BOUNCE and Solab, he educates, directs and delivers high level creative projects, His North Star project, an immersive live music performance, inspired by the historic speech given by orator, writer, and abolitionist, Frederick Douglass in Belfast in 1845 is set to be one of if not the big highlight of Belfast City Council Belfast 24 series of events.
Organisations like Arts Ekta have enlightened and delighted us with the MELA festival for 18 years now. A multicultural melting pot and an annual festival highlight for the city. Nisha Tandon is the force behind it and her work is inspiring and creating community bonds that are vital.
Beyond Skin led by Darren Ferguson, have been doing incredibly important work with some of the most vulnerable artists seeking sanctuary. Many considered world class artists back home, Beyond Skin brings artists from as far as Afghanistan and Eritrea into our orbit, working collaboratively with the local community to showcase music together through performance, learning and creativity.
Earlier this year Beyond Skin in partnership with Oh Yeah and Feile An Phobail worked with a young woman named Zarifa as part of the Let’s Beat It project. Zarifa fled Taliban occupied Afghanistan three years ago, eventually settling in Northern Ireland where she found safety. As part of the Taliban’s regime, music is prohibited from social gatherings. Here in Belfast, Zarifa has been able to explore her love of music again, writing the song Afghan Girl.
When Afghan Girl was performed by Zarifa’s friend Eva Kearney in Oh Yeah, it captured the attention of Real World Studios. Founded by Peter Gabriel, Zarifa has been invited to record the track there.
This is just a small handful of people lifting our city above the limits. Other bright lights in music include Kaidi Tatham, Joseph Rickets, Gemma Bradley, Shiva, Leo Miyagee, Don Chi, Sasha Samara, Ethan Hollan, Winnie Ama and more. The list gets longer every year. And while we still have a lot of work to do, it’s important to take a step back and be thankful for the people who show that our Belfast is a place for all.
