As Black History Month concludes, we must remember that our story continues with ascendancy from those who came before us and beyond. We recognise those who have allowed many to not only share their story but remind others that we are here and our legacy will never fade!
GUAP
GUAP, or “ great understanding and power”, first made its appearance back in 2015 as the world’s first video magazine. The platform has successfully showcased upcoming talent within the community. From the arts to music and business founders, Ibrahim Kamara and Jide Adetunji have carefully orchestrated a multi-faceted company which houses events, creative studios and now an award-nominated in-house creative agency. In the last five years, the GUAP team has put together issues which include the likes of J Hus, HER, Buddy, Hamzaa and Brent Faiyaz. Their latest breathtaking covers, The Black Renaissance Issue 20 champions Nella Rose and Henrie Kwushue, two Black British Women who have actively been impactful voices within the Black British Creative scene.
GAL-DEM
gal-dem is an independent online and print magazine, which houses the voices of women of colour and non-binary people of colour. Their mission statement confronts the inequality and misrepresentation within Britain’s journalistic landscape. Through enthralling literature centred around the opinion, news, music politics and lifestyle, the founder Liv Little, provides a spotlight to marginalised narratives and experiences so many have ignored. Gal-dem’s presence echoes the significance of variety, especially within a climate that usually prefers our silence.
Shot by Nwaka Okparaeke
THE ENDS FESTIVAL
The Ends Festival is a Croydon-based music and food festival that invited 15,000 music lovers back in 2019. It aspires to celebrate contributors within the Black music scene both internationally and homegrown; upcoming and legendary. From performances from the likes of Nas to Ghetts, NAO to Wizkid, The Ends Festival is set to return in 2021 after deciding to be a bi-annual affair in February.
NO SIGNAL — “#BLACKRADIO FOR MUSIC LOVERS”
The new home for Black British music, No Signal quickly became an overnight sensation during the peak of the pandemic. Their flagship show #NS10v10 is a soundclash show that has brought global audiences as well as local, granting the online station a rapid road to triumph. With celebrity appearances and support from Burna Boy, Jorja Smith and football legend Ian Wright with Julie Adenuga, it’s been clear that the platform is etching in a permanent mark within the Black British experience and its identity. Since the loss of Choice FM (now Capital Xtra) back in 2013, No Signal emergence was welcomed with open arms as being the new tenant for those within the Black Diaspora and its miscellaneous sound.
