SWITCH SUMMER
I am a young black creative singer/song writer from Basingstoke, U.K and I draw inspiration from Black narrative of the forgotten and left behind.
I have supported homegrown acts to mainstream artists such as Wretch 32, Ms Dynamite and Nas. I am a firm believer that everyone has the capabilities to be more than just one thing. I own and run an advanced engineering business and continue to market myself as an artist. The sciences and music have always been my life.
your greatest inspirations or influences?
Malcolm X from a historical perspective, inspiration and passion. Musically the early 90’s U.S rap scene. It was a beautifully expressive era packed with eager, politically conscious 18-21 yr olds. Yoruba (Nigerian) Afrobeat legend 'Fela Kuti' has been present in my ears since a toddler (thanks to my Dad). From a very early age I was lucky enough to have been educated extensively about who we are as a people, and our plight and oppression...My father is an inspiration in every aspect of the word,.
Tell us a bit about your creative process?
My creative process is somewhat 'Jekyll & Hyde'. I am either spurred by an instrumental that eggs me on, to form a catchy chorus. The other process is from an internal realisation or prompt from an unjust story that needs telling. 'Blackskin’ is a music video project that is artistically shot to reflect and capture a moment in time, that triggers the viewers emotions. This video features a young Black man lying on the cold ground who has been an unfortunate victim of knife crime. Throughout the video I make visual and auditory queues to societies' narratives around Black people.
'Stop and Search' is mentioned in the video, 'Blackfishing' (If you don't know what that is, look it up). The sad truth is if you take a look across the world, the darker the skin of people, the harder the condition they live in. This is not coincidental. This is the work of European colonialism. Beauty standards of the modern world favour lighter skin and lighter hair. That is a Eurocentric and systemic narrative. My goal was to create something powerful with the video.
How has this year changed your creativity and how do you see the world changing?
The race report that was published by the British government in April this year is what triggered me to shoot this video. A complete disregard of systemic racism is not moving forward. We can't even get acknowledgement for our lived experience let alone a voice that is heard! Black ownership is very important to me. Yes, the world is changing with improvements along the way, but Black people are still industry unicorns when it comes to obtaining decision making roles. My music does not use clever synonyms to address the issues of the society we live in today. My music is bold and fearless.
Who do you consider to be an icon of our time?
I could name a few. Kendrick Lamar, Dave, Colin Koepernick, Daniel Kaluuya, Lewis Hamilton..Through societies forever changing story, we’ve had icons who are now martyrs of a movement important to the people. My icon is the Black woman. She has to deal with daily micro-aggressions (gender and race related), build a career, raise a family and not come across as the angry Black woman all in time for dinner.
Instagram - @Switchsummerofficial
