1. Arrival
2. Just A Sec
3. Fat Cats
4. Miserable Inside (Part II)
5. Sleep Tight (Part II)
6. Sunset Of Africa
7. Brothers & Sisters (What Planet You From)
8. Beamed Up (Spark Afro Remix)
9. Big Butts & Ifs
10. Roots (Alternative Mix)
11. The Truth Isn’t The Truth
12. Shockwave
13. Come Back Kid
14. Vernell Equinox
15. Building The Future
There’s nothing better than a great song and throughout the decades and now over a century (100 years) the world has been blessed with so much good content by artists and musicians who take their craft very seriously and are dedicated to the arts.I was born in the 80s as I probably mentioned a few times now so music was still crafted and even though it had some mishaps which I’ll be getting into shortly it still had feel good music that was hard to put down. One thing that was throughout the years and important to the foundations of music is it must have soul and be relatable and hit home as that sort of music used to sell a lot quicker and be transitioning to all walks of lives and colors. Meaning used to play a big part in the foundations of music making and a lot of thought and planing was taken and reach audiences you hope to get. I’m a music maker myself and I’ve been playing the keyboard and writing lyrics since I was around seven and worked on some high profiled stuff so I know what dedication is taken when making music and I always try to make good music that anyone who loves music can listen to and work hard on making it. All good music should be heard that is apparent but with the state of the music industry, the rise of bedroom producers and singers and also how music is being consumed nowadays there has been a huge shift in music quality. Though I’m for those silly, quirky fun songs music seems to be getting more stupider to a point the genre doesn’t even make no sense no more and has lost it’s spark and soul. Music is meant to be a bit of fun and can do wonders to your hair but also music can be stupid and degrading which is what most music nowadays sounds like as mentioned a number of times the same old thing recycled and repackaged. Not so long ago female rapper Megan Thee Stallion was on the Michele Obama podcast and she was talking about having the most rubbish song on Instagram and it still blowing up to mega per-portions surprise surprise some people were on her neck but it something I would agree on and since before the start of the modern world where technology now ruled the earth music has taken a turn for the worst and is now seems like anyone can do it but here’s the thing not everyone can be a star but you may be able to play a instrument or be a low key singer. It’s also worth mentioning before the rise of the internet the only way to make it to your dream job was to work hard and be all in the right spots now you can say something for good or for bad or have that one viral clip or song and you are propelled into stardom. I still think this is a good thing as you can now try and make it without no record deal or manager quote unquote where before you couldn’t get anywhere without your agent or manager who knew the PR people and have all the tools to help you get you where you want to be in the money.
With a quarter of the new century around the 1920s came a new style or genre of music which had a reputation around it and I’m talking about Jazz. Jazz began in the 20th century and at first conservative critics and religious groups and cultural elites marked it as dangerous, vulgar and morally corrupt. Before then music had a more religious background and the genres Country and Jazz both starting in the early 1900s helped change the face of music and how people consumed it. Though due to a number of factors like the serious ones racism, the break and attack on western tradition and the misunderstanding of the syncopated rhythms it was deemed as “noise.” It was very successful with the younger generation who liked to dance to it and later drink at Speakeasy bars illegal drinking dens when alcohol was banned from 1920 to 1933. This was also the first stage of the great rebel against their parents where things was a little looser but not too loose. Smoking weed and cigarettes was associated with Jazz and commonly found in the 1920s onward and even though there was a great push back by religious, major figures and associations nothing could stop the young kids attending bars and dance halls to listen to this new style music. It’s also worth noting Jazz came from New Orleans Louisiana from enslaved black people and has complex polyrhythms, syncopation, and call-and-response vocal traditions. This seems trivia but it was brought to a white audience who danced to it at a grand hall room which was all white and for white people. But that a side Jazz was the first evolutionary change in music that shaped music and music consumption and even till this day it influences many popular genres like Hip Hop, Pop and any modern genre as it all stems back to Jazz. Jazz broke away from the classical methods of the time and saw more unconventional ways of playing and making music which is why it fall flat on the critics. It blended Blues, Ragtime and Brass Band rhythms and with the improvisation of the singer or player the critics were unfamiliar with the sound and also the faster pace of some of the numbers it was deemed as bad and nontraditional. It was the first break away from Classical music and was the first fundamental step in modern music though racial segregation and hangings were still rife especially in the South of America where colors weren’t that well mixed. Prominent figures like Henry Ford promoted biased claims against the genre, while national publications and groups like the General Federation of Women’s Clubs labeled jazz un-American and destructive to Western civilization. The physical, uninhibited styles of dancing that accompanied jazz made older generations anxious. Critics claimed the syncopated beat stimulated physical passions and broke down moral boundaries. Music educators and classical purists dismissed jazz as “noise” or “trash” rather than art. They argued that its chaotic dissonance, bent notes, and reliance on spontaneous improvisation lacked the discipline and structure of European classical music.
After the evolution of Rock music in the 1950s and by the 1960s there was more a relaxed view with music making and things like Improvisation Jazz and Psychedelic Rock was in. This was another great shift in music making and how it was consumed and at that time it was best to see it live rather than vinyl and things like LSD changes your conception of time, hearing and visually so what sounds bad straight could sound awesome on LSD and I best describe it as House, Jungle/Drum & Bass, Techno, Dubstep, UK Garage, UK Funky any rave genres in order to feel the music you might need to be on some Mandy or something that’s MDMA otherwise called Molly. No I’m not suggusting to drop one on a night out but music sounds better high on weed, LSD and MDMA you find a whole new connection with the song and also a hell a lot of energy lol. Critical reception of 1960s psychedelic rock evolved from contemporary skepticism of self-indulgence to modern critical acclaim, recognizing the era as a high-water mark for studio experimentation and countercultural art. Many mainstream 1960s critics viewed early psychedelia as formless, self-indulgent, or a shallow commercial cash-in on drug culture. Mainstream outlets often dismissed extended instrumentals as tedious noodling. Established traditionalists gave mixed reviews when non-psychedelic legacy acts awkwardly incorporated fuzz-boxes or backwards tapes, viewing the shift as unauthentic.Re-evaluation: Regional Stylistic DividesUK Complexities: Critics often praised British psychedelic acts for intricate tape loops, whimsical pastoral themes, and avant-garde orchestration, though detractors occasionally found them overly precious or whimsical.US Garage and Blues Grit: Critics highlight American psychedelic output as more grounded in raw garage rock, folk, and blues, reflecting socio-political turmoil.
By the 70s and with the arrival of Disco music music was still good but came the dramatic turn of music consumption and music making. It was the rise of the novelty song with songs like Ray Stevens The Streak in 1974 and Disco Duck by Rick Dees and His Cast of Idiots in 1976 both silly songs I see a seven year old child picking up but hey if that’s your market then that’s your market. After the 1920s and 1930s and after the first great Jazz era fresh faced record companies saw their was money in pressing records and by the late 1970s music was still being sold but by then cassette tapes and vinyls were the two ways of consuming your music. Disco which started in the late 1960s to the early 1970s started as a as an underground dance movement in New York City. It grew out of African American, Latino, and LGBTQ+ spaces like “The Loft,” where dancers sought safe, inclusive places to enjoy soul, funk, and R&B music. By 1974 Record charts began recognizing the sound, with Billboard launching its first dedicated disco action chart. It was such songs like Disco Duck by Rick Dees and His Cast Of Idiots that gave Disco a bad name and why some people may of called it naff. Obviously more racial, homophobic and transphobic tension in the air as things were still pretty rough for all the above and for some is still a problem but by the quick look of my cards I think things are getting better for everyone if it wasn’t for Mr Toupee and The Russian Spy Doll but less is said about them as it’s not that subject. This is why I think they really burned all those Disco records at that baseball field in 1979 and why some people including Disc Jockeys wasn’t playing it on the radio. The intense anti-disco backlash peaked around July 12, 1979, during Disco Demolition Night at Chicago’s Comiskey Park. This exact timing happened because commercial over saturation of formulaic tracks collided with a powerful cultural reaction by young, white, male rock fans.The late 1970s saw a rising conservative political climate (led by figures like Anita Bryant) that pushed back against visible gay rights and civil rights progress. Rock radio DJs, like Chicago’s Steve Dahl, weaponized white working-class alienation, framing rock as authentic and rebellious, and disco as “foreign,” elite, and emasculating. Record labels rushed to cash in on the trend, flooding the market with rushed, low-quality, and repetitive disco tracks. By 1979, even mainstream listeners were growing tired of the relentless synthetic beats, making the genre an easy target for a coordinated media and radio backlash.
The 1980s was a great decade for music and not just the content which is everlasting but also in music making too. The revolutionary Roland TR-808 and the Roland TR-909 drum machines came out from 1980 which pioneered a lot of genres from early Hip Hop, House, Dance music, Electronic music and so many more. Both drum machines were made to replace the drummer and a more efficient way to make music and became a popular tool in making music on most popular songs from the 1980s. Some critics and professional drummers saw the new invention as well some called it lazy and some called it a lifesaver as it now meant with the drum machines you didn’t have to pay for professional drumming or be a professional drummer to program a simple drum pattern. The 1980s was the second step to over commercialized music and though worst was to come in the 2000s and later it was one of the golden decades of music and still imitated to this day. It was the use of supersonic electronic sounds over digital reverb and FXs that seemed like it was recorded in a empty warehouse and that made it seem bad. From the start of the late 70s onward instruments were being replaced and as technology advanced so did the music equipment which meant more realistic sounds and textures which was good for players in the late 70s onward as you didn’t have to practice on the instrument you just needed to play the keyboard. Such keyboards like the Roland Juno released in 1982 and the Roland Jupiter released in 1978 came with more softer sounds unlike what came before that and around the same time which was the Mini Moog a more harsher and darker synthesizer. Synthesizers and digital drum machines were in an awkward, transitional phase. Instead of warm tones, early digital gear often sounded thin, plastic, or mechanical and things like the metro-meter was used to make the drum pattern warm and unmachine-like. Mainstream music was bombarded with high gloss highly synthesized sounds by the early 1980s and critics said it lacked emotional depth or raw human grit compared to before that which was Rock and Punk in the 1970s. A cultural and political backlash happened in the 1980s where Electronic music was targeted for it’s perceived lack of authentic musicianship and the lawless counterculture of the late-decade rave movement. Traditional rock purists and critics claimed that synthesizers and drum machines lacked human emotion. Detractors argued that microchips and sequencers played the notes instead of human hands. By the mid to late 1980s pioneering synth artists saw their fame diminished after mainstream audiences grew tired of the initial electronic wave.
Looking back at the 1990s I would say it was hit and miss particularly the later half of the 1990s but this was the start of the deterioration of music as things got more commercialized and washed out. Though granted most of my favorite songs came from the 1990s that’s not to say what was being played at the time didn’t meet my requirements other than American Hip Hop and R&B and half of it was one to be silly to at the school disco tracks like Whitfield’s Saturday Night and Babylon Zoo’s Spaceman though songs I liked at the time as that was the young boy standard of the time. As I said music was still good and still had a high standard especially in the early 1990s by 1996 and with such songs by The Spice Girl’s “Wannabe,” 1997’s Aqua’s “Barbie Girl” and B*witches’s “C’est La Vie” 1998 it was around those times British music took a nosedive and though they are cheesy happy numbers I myself have memories with it was still wishy washy music targeted for little girls and songs for a school disco or a god forbid 90s Pop club night. After the stock market crashes in the early 1980s music was still being sold as normal and was a big earner to all people involved or so it seems. By the 1990s and after the explosion of Brit Pop from all the angles like The Spice Girls, Blur, Oasis and The Happy Mondays to name a few the British music industry were looking for their next big meal ticket and pumped out what I call pure garbage though I would say they were all successful so successful garbage in order to put more British people on the map and to line their pockets of course. It’s also worth mentioning The Beatles were the first British (One Direction later on in the 2010s) to have a number one on the Billboard Charts and also had the same hysteria levels as seen with The Beatles 50 years before. I say that as there must of been a great push in making music in the UK and failed so miserable of making the next biggest thing since The Beatles and to keep up with the Jones’s AKA America who were already greatly in the lead with the birth of Jazz, Rock, Motown, Hip Hop, R&B, House and Soul all coming from America. It was around 1996 UK music was getting dry and also worth mentioning lacking colour other than Ultimate Khoas and Beverley Knight who did chart the British charts and successfully. Before I would say around 1996 music was dedicated and crafted with love and passions which okay sounds corny to someone who doesn’t like music and don’t see the state it’s in but music was well planned and rehearsed which meant a lot of time practicing and crafting your art not matter what it costs in money and time consumption. So by 1996 around and the birth of groups like The Spice Girls it was all about having a catchy popular song rather than substances and delivery and even though The Spice Girls had more than that awful song Wannabe and were a collective group.
It’s safe to say the early 2000’s were the worst modern day decade of drama and you would of thought music would of got better but oh no the 2000’s saw one of the worst to date of over commercialized music. Even America saw their music being watered down for easy consumption and the UK also saw a hell a lot of cheap acts that probably best seen on a night out in Butlins (a holiday park.) By the early 2000’s with streaming services opening like Napster and Limewire and with the rise of the internet happening around the same time music was at our fingertips and with a few clicks of a mouse you could burn the CD onto a computer or IPod and share with the whole wide world. Things were okay till they worked out how popular the sites were getting and how much revenue they were losing out in sales of records and they were calling it the death of the record as did they say that about the cassette tape too. A great campaign pursued shortly after and they made it illegal in most countries to download or stream the music off the music streaming websites like Napster or Limewire but like any good bootlegger they re branded and repackaged the sites reopening them even though it was illegal and they could face fines, prison or both. This was also the start of what I call the great change where people began to question the rights of music and some artists to be heard as before music was for sharing and the birth of streaming sites but till this point music was to be shared and enjoyed and wasn’t about making money or being well known they had a talent and they were to use it for the good of mankind, not to mention the causes they were behind. It was also the re-surge of the It Girl with Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie in the 2000’s and both famous for doing nothing or daughters of the rich and famous which you might as well call Instagram a Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie style tribute. Something good that did come from the 2000’s which was halfway through the decade in 2005 YouTube started and was the key factor of how it seems you can become famous overnight. To quickly explain with the birth of the webcam and the likes of YouTube starting it was now more easier than ever to quickly whip up a video and not be tied down with all those wires and connections. Before the birth of the webcam and YouTube people would go live at various of spots with connections and the wires usually covering things like conspiracies theories, life hacks and topics of the day with the great change it meant anyone with guts could go live and hopefully bag a audience they’ve been looking for but around 2005 was the start of the great shift in how to become famous and how we consumed our entertainment with the ever so changing market. By 2007 with the likes of Soulja Boy’s Crank That who saw great success off the back of YouTube and marketed his song as a ringtone off the back of The Crazy Frog phone ringtone era in 2003 he for sure paved the way for anyone with a musical idea to take the front stage. People began to see what he was doing and pave their own lane by producing and starring in the songs and music video. This didn’t go without any eyebrows being raised down and some artist and people questioned the authenticity of Soulja Boy and called him out several times calling it not real Hip Hop.
Really it shouldn’t come as a surprise that music has gradually took a turn for the worst and the 2010s was no different. In fact it got way worse to the point I wasn’t listening to the radio and relied on a handful of mixtapes I downloaded off Dapiff.com to keep me satisified. The early 2010s was the start of Soundcloud and later on the Soundcloud rapper in 2016 which spawned a lot of underground artist to go large. Also a year before Mumble Rap was a thing which was usually performed on Lean (Sizzurp) and is a term used to describe the illicit and dangerous recreational misuse of prescription-strength cough medications mixed with soda drinks. The term Mumble Rap was coined by rapper Wiz Khalifa who used it during an interview on Hot 97‘s Ebro in the Morning. Honestly I never experienced so much commercial rubbish in my life from House, to Hip Hop later called Trap you name it most of it was washed out and meaningless. From Justin Bieber’s Baby to PSY’s Gangland Style even Niki Minaj yes some of you’s beloved queen she had Starships which I think is one of the worst Pop songs becuase I can’t call it Hip Hop and one of the worst Pop songs to date though granted it’s a fun number but for those who feel like wearing the tiara. Even though platforms like Myspace (2003 – 2006) and Spotify (2008 – 2010s) propelled the change of how music was bought and consumed it wasn’t until social media platforms like Instagram (2010) and TikTok (2016) came along was there a massive change in dynamics in getting rich, successful and staying sexy. It was in fact Instagram that started this how many followers you have instead of music and lyric content and played a massive part in the downfall of music in the 2010s. Meeting the aesthetic in both looking the part and sounding the part of yesteryear’s rappers who wasn’t just doing it for likes, money and attention like it is nowadays especially in male and female Hip Hop and Trap music. Swedish House Mafia was also popular in the 2010s and was known for their EDM style and not to be confused with Electronic Dance Music though that is the full abbreviation of it EDM is a over commercialized sound with edgy cut throat sounds that I find jarring. That and Dubstep emerging around the same time I found I couldn’t go raving no more at my favorite places to see my favorite people as I couldn’t dance to it though I could smash my teeth on the dance floor so to speak. Both of those genres EDM and Dubstep on top of the over commercialized Hip Hop and R&B I was hearing around the 2010s really showed me how bad and lazy music was getting and how the state of music was getting worse and worse. Though as I stated there were good music out in the 2010s but was being drowned out by over commercial music that I can’t listen to.
If you think it couldn’t any worse prepare yourself to the last main section I introduce you to a new phenomena that is crapping on everyone’s or most people’s TikTok screens in the last year or two I bring you UK Poo Music. For those who haven’t been on TikTok or YouTube I’ll quickly explain “UK Poo” is a viral internet meme and satirical microgenre on TikTok that pokes fun at low-quality, overconfident amateur British rap and drill music.The term was coined in mid-2026 by X (formerly Twitter) user Cashyams and quickly spread across social media platforms like TikTok and Spotify. The sound features off-beat flows, rambling lyrics that do not rhyme, heavy and out-of-tune autotune, and raw iPhone microphone recordings over basic grime or drill beats.The aesthetic is low-budget music videos usually filmed outside local corner shops, suburban streets, or from the front seat of a parked car with a door swung open.The vibe is mundane or overly serious street lyrics delivered with absolute, unearned confidence, making it a source of collective internet amusement rather than a formal musical movement. Coining the term: the phenomenon exploded on X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok around July 15, 2026, after a post by user @cashyams featuring a clumsy melodic-trap snippet amassed millions of views.The tracks associated with the trend typically feature aggressively bad autotune, low-quality mobile phone microphone recordings, basic or nonsensical lyrics, and DIY music videos shot outside local corner shops or pubs. The term functions as both a critique and an ironic celebration of amateur overconfidence in the British freestyle and rap scene. Commentators note it continues a long underground tradition of tongue-in-cheek, DIY British internet rap—blurring the lines between genuine outsider art, meme culture, and post-ironic appreciation. Now I saw this on my YouTube feed not so long ago and was the second thing that started this blog post. I firstly want to say I’m actually for it and think it’s great for a laugh but without hating too much not worthy as a live act at a gig like we saw one of them do the come slap me dude or lady yet to be decided. It seems this UK internet craze is just banter and not to be taken too seriously as a serious form of art. I kind of like them sticking their tongue out to the UK Drill rappers who need to give it a day and hang it up and forever talking about bags (money) or grams (drugs) and oh don’t forget about poor Alesha the girlfriend they use up. Now for the bit I don’t like how it once again shifts attention from the good music that we all so hard put out and get silenced by people like that as that is just one example but UK Poo Music isn’t suitable for a rave, in a car, or at home just chilling it’s good for a laugh a two minute swipe on your phone and even though I said I was for it I still wouldn’t play it wherever I was. Here is where a parody song comes to mind and something for lighthearted entertainment. If some numb nut makes complete sense of it and makes it into a masterpiece or outdo the greats then I’m walking away from music I’ll be done. I don’t see this happening as it’s a underground UK movement idea for brainless kids to laugh at but it is funny.
Don’t get me wrong I like feel good music and doesn’t always have to be dripping with all that ice (diamonds) or even say something relatable or meaningful to get my attention but throughout the decades music has gotten more worse and worse and has no plan on stopping any time soon unless we stop consuming the bad stuff. I’ve been playing the keyboard and making music since I was seven so I know music is down to tastes, what you were brought up with and also what you were allowed or want to listen to. Also people’s hang ups of what they like or allowed to like and also meeting your own market and needs. I have my own hang ups which I stated already but just to recap the same redundant content and beat choices, coping and pasting music and not sampling or re-imaging the beat, swagger jacking was always a big no no for me and last but not least artists who can’t do their profession well or hop on trend and not like the genre they were singing or making you know the same old stuff which feels pretty redundant saying that in itself. There is a need for what I call trash music and it lays with the younger generation and think it’s important to have some good child memories attached to songs and trust me I have mine all what I mentioned in this blog post but good music should be heard and out weigh the bad music that seems to get more attraction than the good music. The old as long as the beat goes hard then nothing really matters but I mean really you listen to that man I feel old lol. I don’t know what it is maybe it lays with the younger generation and the lack of good music and true idols like Beyonce or Taylor Swift to many or anyone who came before them. The music scene throughout the world has blurred the lines with Hollywood and their music industry which means it’s all about the followers and the money power and respect which comes last rather than making good music and good vibes and spreading good energy throughout the world instead of this vile undertones of sex, drugs and violence which has already broke the breaking point in the America and here in the UK I don’t know about anywhere else. With the right music it can have a huge positive impact on your mental health and also goes the other way too a major downfall to your mental health so what I’m saying is pick your poison carefully and make sure a nice balance of music is being heard not just this one sided one trick pony most of us are tired of hearing and to support the right people and not gatekeep the music we digest.
1. Solstice
2. Professional Jealously
3. True Colors
4. Profiled
5. Object Shelve
6. Promenade
7. Cool Beverage
8. War On Race
9. To The Dancefloor
10. Fight For Love (I Must)
11. Beacon Light
12. Once
13. Occasions
14. Come Dance With Me
15. Stfu
16. To The Future (Moon Rocks Remix)
17. Absorbed
18. Color Blind
19. Limbo
20. Weak
1. The Gray’s Systems Of Failure
2. Alien Slave
3. Black Bionic
4. Destiny
5. Homeland Mothership
6. Place With No Time
7. Brothers & Sisters (What Planet Are You From)
8. Dach (Alternative Mix)
9. Galaxy Abolitionist
10. Spaced Out
11. The Alien Pharaoh
12. To Die A Martyr
13. Tribal Offering
14. Cosmic Grail (Alternative Mix)
15. Into The Black Obis
16. Galaxy Faded
17. Building The Future
18. Planet Suppression
19. Afrikan Tribesman
20. The Funk Within
In February of this year (2019) I had a chance to be interviewed with my dad (seen in the picture) by BBC News about the Stephen Lawrence report and institutional racism. For those who don’t know or were too young to remember Stephen Lawrence was a young black man who was attacked and killed by some racist thugs in South East London on the 22 April 1993. Since the murder, there has been so much talk and attempted action for the memory of Stephen Lawrence and others who have been racially attacked and abused not just in the U.K. After the attack a damaging report came out by Judge Sir William Mcpherson against the police calling them institutional racists and called for change to happen. Whether that’s happened we get more into that later what I think but I wasn’t going to do the interview at first and got all the way and then thought “I don’t want to do this” but I had already met the cameraman and the producer of the piece so I was in too deep but I am glad I did it. I must admit watching it live on tv I gotta say they did a good job I wasn’t the worse but there were times I was too aware of the lights and cameras and it made me stumble a bit and I lost my thoughts a couple of times but I wasn’t that bad. The cameraman, producer and interviewer/newspresenter were very nice, I’m a bit of an oddball so I did wonder if they could pick this up but it would have been alright with me and anyway they probably had their fair share of whacky interviewees. At this point in my life, I was dealing with an old and getting ever frail dog so all I was thinking of was my dog Patch a lot and if she was okay, she’s not here no more I had to put her down in June this year (2019) so that’s why I said this point of my life as she is no longer part of me not in physical but more mentally now. This isn’t the first time I’ve been on tv nor my dad but I was actually on the BBC news before when I decided to walk around the Weston Super Mare Pier which is surrounded in mud they come rushing over asking me what I was doing etc. The way they put it on the news they made me sound like I was wreckless which I probably was thinking about it but it was dramatized a lot that time or though I must admit if the tide came in I would have been a goner or at least in trouble. My dad is a natural when it comes to being interviewed and has been many times and has his own slot on local radio Ujima and does a lot of work in the community of Bristol like dealing with racism and finding people jobs and other community stuff. I agreed to the interview for a couple of reasons
You know when they asked me questions for the interview I wasn’t fully ready and probably would have better responses now than then but I’ve had a thought of what I didn’t say and thought I share it now.
How Do I Find The Treatment Of Police When I Was Growing Up And Now A Days?
Now I think about it a few incidents pop up like when the police officer went pass and did a monkey chant at me. Or the number of times I’ve been unfairly stopped by police and questioned, they would always make up some sort of excuse. Like the time I was going to the shop with my dog, I was wearing a hood but that’s not the point but anyway he tried to tell me that I was about to jump an 8ft fence with my dog to rob a old people’s home. It escalated and I was arrested like he wanted (don’t play into their game, play yours) but I could tell he was you know that sort and a dirty copper. Growing up I do remember being with a white friend and the copper only had eyes for me and made a blatant remark about him being safe but he wanted to check this one for knives (this one being me.) Another example that comes to mind is when I was being interviewed they just couldn’t let it go that I wasn’t a statistic and that they were wrong and their dumb computer didn’t know shit. To the average policeman you fit a type and in that type is a statistic which you must fit as you can’t be dare I say normal god forbid that. Of course, it’s not just me and I hear it a lot from friends and their friends how they get judged and mistreated.
Do I Think There Has Been Change Since The Mcpherson Report?
Yes and no I think it’s less common for police to be openly racist in fear of it being recorded and I like to think the efforts of the streets and the fight against the police brutality. Now I’m not saying they are all bad but there is a rotten dozen who dominate the force but I still think the police force is still corrupt and still have that you are a statistic and are tarred with the same brush by most coppers or though there are good ones out there. I think it’s down to age and background to become a police officer and if it’s in your family blood so the younger you are the less you might not be a racist in hindsight but saying that it could be in the blood and something you enjoying being, being a prick. Though there have been small changes it brings bigger problems like institutional racism and people like the Daily Mail who lap up the gang stories and spray it all over the U.K not to make people aware but to scaremonger, they ain’t nothing but the paper version of Fox News. I only say this as the readers are quite clearly venting on the streets I’ve had it myself where this lady was screaming at me told me to go back home and everything #bitchplease but at one point she remarked “I bet you are in a gang” and other silly accuasations. I could tell which paper she reads and I knew she was yes a dumbass you could spot it from afar bet she had British flags coming out of her butt crack cos she’s so damn British or at least she thinks she is. It’s not just the institutional racism thing that is a mess it’s the treatment of mental health sufferers too. Speaking from experience and dealing with pyschosis myself I know the police can be bastards and treat you unfairly they do all sorts of things play tricks on you, purposly wind you up so they can attack you cos that’s what they do is attack when it’s unprovoked that is. They do that to anyone but it’s certain ethnics and minoritys they think they can get away with it and they usually do. It’s no hidden secret any police force needs to get a certain amount of arrests or to be seen doing something so they can say 30% of people arrested last year for X,Y and Z and pat the police force on the back.
How Do I Feel Hearing Of My Dad’s Run Ins With The Police?
What I couldn’t say is it made me quite mad to think my dad and others had to put up with so much crap by the police like the monkey chanting and unfair stops and brutality. It was no surprise when he told them about the run ins with the police and what they done but it did make me wonder what would I of done in that situation at the current state I wouldn’t play into their games and give them what they want and be on my way like I said in the interview but old me would of always been in cuts and brusies and down that police station cos I wouldn’t have put up with it. So I think that is it one last thing though I am glad that Stephen Lawrence has his own national day on April 22nd of every year from now and think it’s a good chance to talk more about racsim and race attacks and everything releated to the two, we should also be talking about the police force and their old timer ways too. We shouldn’t forget about the murder and it should always be remembered as the point where Britian met reality once again and was a wake up call to everyone. We must also keep fighting for justice and what is right and tell them backwards fools to go home up the tree where they belong. There is a reason why people fight against racsim as if you don’t it get’s out on the street where only bad things happen and that’s something we should all remember, anyway I think I said enough for today so take care and goodbye for now.
You know I’ve been to quite a few raves and events here in Bristol in the UK and I’ve seen some terrible stuff but in the same breath I’ve had some good times in the same spots too. Without being too cliche about it the rave is a sacred place and also a home where you can be yourself and dance the night away to some good ass tunes. You might be going to your first rave, thinking about going to a rave or you’ve been and you’re just interested in what I might say. Whatever the case I’m going to go through the do’s and don’ts and how to rave sensibly without any unnecessary trips to A&E or casualties so do take note to insure your next rave is a safe and good experience as it should be, by the way this does apply to club nights and parties too.
Now the first one is quite simply to follow which is dancing. Now people think you got to be a Grade A dancer to dance at a rave or in a club or festival and parties like give it like you are working for Beyonce even though after a few drinks you probably think you are in concert as Beyonce. You would feel better if you joined the crowd and at least try and bust a move as a trier is better than a quitter in mine and most people’s eyes and not only that it will build your confidence for many events to come. Most people are down for dancing and don’t care what you look like apart from those sniffering bitches but they don’t matter and just hate cos they are too cool for school and enjoy hating on stuff they don’t understand or identify as say being a man. Some little boys let’s call them think it’s not manly to dance and see it as being dare I say gay but judging by people’s reactions of me and others and the ladies we all love a good dancer. The ladies especially love to see a man or their man grind their hips and tango all over the dancefloor it’s how you might meet your baby momma, or lover or at the worst find your next friend. Don’t be scared to I call it skip rope and join someone on the dancefloor they are always a invitation to dance with someone and I’ve met some funny ones in my time. What I’m saying is never be too standoffish with people on the dancefloor people will get the wrong impression of you and be the witch on the dancefloor but there is no pressure just remember your manners like no thanks and a little smile.
Now the first one is quite simply to follow which is dancing. Now people think you got to be a Grade A dancer to dance at a rave or in a club or festival and parties like give it like you are working for Beyonce even though after a few drinks you probably think you are in concert as Beyonce. You would feel better if you joined the crowd and at least try and bust a move as a trier is better than a quitter in mine and most people’s eyes and not only that it will build your confidence for many events to come. Most people are down for dancing and don’t care what you look like apart from those sniffering bitches but they don’t matter and just hate cos they are too cool for school and enjoy hating on stuff they don’t understand or identify as say being a man. Some little boys let’s call them think it’s not manly to dance and see it as being dare I say gay but judging by people’s reactions of me and others and the ladies we all love a good dancer. The ladies especially love to see a man or their man grind their hips and tango all over the dancefloor it’s how you might meet your baby momma, or lover or at the worst find your next friend. Don’t be scared to I call it skip rope and join someone on the dancefloor they are always a invitation to dance with someone and I’ve met some funny ones in my time. What I’m saying is never be too standoffish with people on the dancefloor people will get the wrong impression of you and be the witch on the dancefloor but there is no pressure just remember your manners like no thanks and a little smile.
This is another important rule to follow when taking drugs at a rave and is the key to making it out alive. You hear this being echoed quite a lot from everyone across the board and I know something people should respect and commit to if you are taking drugs at a rave or wherever you are. Some people have a misconception that you must down a good portion of water every so many hours or minutes but actually sipping it or taking large gulps of water when you are starting to get dry mouth or AKA cotton mouth is the way forward and avoid drinking large amounts of water and also alcohol especially alcohol. Also remember if you get too hot and you don’t mind the smoke to step outside to the smoking area avoid the front entrance as you might not get back in after my own experiences but the outside areas are always a good a place to cool off and take two minutes off the busy crowds. The bar by law here in the UK anyway have to serve tap water so even if you don’t want to spend the extortion prices for water you can always get water for free from the bar.
In tides with the last section which was about cooling off and hydrating dressing sensible is another way to stay safe and nice and cool. Avoid wearing knit wear and turtle necks no matter how much you look smart and ladies dress in something that is vent-able and avoid wearing your shortest skirts and tops to avoid unnecessary advances and I must stress wear flat shoes so you can have a good balance dancing or even walking. Short selve tops, shirts skirts and jeans is a easy dress code and do remember no hoodies or trainers to ensure you get into the club as the rules are so stern in most clubs. Saying that when the event is over you’ll be outside so be sure to bring a coat or a fashionable throw over to the party so you don’t freeze to death when battling that cold morning air and even in the summer. You can always leave your coats and stuff in the cloak room which does cost money but is pittence compared to your drink and cab fare money unless you are like me and take the bus back but even then it’s a bit wary time.
I’ve already covered being standoffish at a event and minding your manners but being sociable at a event is another good way to keep you safe and sound and away from any scratchy events. Ladies there is no need to fly off the handle when someone compliments you same with the gents as well or if someone comes up to you and starts to chat you up or in my eyes and their eyes just chatting to you as the chemicals or the drink has reached their heart. When the music is pumping and you’ve had a few you get more brash and take it from a shy person who doesn’t like to talk to strangers, people I don’t really know I’m so wasted and feel the love and vibe in the air dancing with other people and meeting old friends at a event really does put you in a good mood and compels me to be even more sociable. I’ve been to a few events where I’ve seen for myself and dealing with these kind of people how cold and standoffish some people can get like it’s funny to run a train on someone it puts me in a bad mood and I’m all about good vibes. First determine if that person is just trying to chat you up to side step a awkward situation and ensure if you are going with your friends that they will get inbeteewn you and that person or when ever they make you feel awkward.
Now this one I’m adamant in doing to ensure a safe night out which is not mixing your drink and drugs together. At the worst have one shot of spirits before you come up and thereafter stick to drinking water. Avoid large drinks like pints of beers and ciders and go easy on the shots and cocktails prior your night out or whilst you are on drugs like M.D.M.A. and ecstasy. You can also drink a small bottle or can of light beers but try not to to overdo it and drink too much you can really drown your brain or overheat or dehydrate if your not careful enough. If you are mixing alcohol and drugs and as I said before pace yourself and try to time your drinks so you are not drinking too much and same applies to the drugs too. The other thing is trying not to be sick whist drinking and taking drugs one moment you are having a good time dancing on the dancefloor and the next thing you are outside in the fetus position chucking it up and most times you put yourself in the right position but sometimes you may be too out of it to put yourself in the recovery position which means you could chock on your own sick and kill yourself. Not only is it dangerous most people have a bad reaction with the two and get violent or at it’s best start acting off which is also why you should never mix too much drink and drugs. The only safe drug to be mixing with your drugs is Cannabis but even then you might feel a little insecure or self conscious when mixing M.D.M.A. Ecstasy and weed but it’s easy to overcome if you know how to deal with irrational behavior and thoughts.
No one likes to go home to early expect for if you are not feeling it or you’ve had a night full but going to a after party alone after being invited by some random stranger isn’t the way forward no matter how much you want to carry on with the night and your friend wants to go home cos they feel green or they greened out. In my own experience the after party isn’t the safest place to go and I do mean at some random house with people you have just met and you are now social with. Now I am talking mainly to the ladies who put their trust and heart in people only for them to turn around and not save them or be involved in some sort of ordeal. Unlike the club there isn’t really a safeguard when you go to a after party and the atmosphere is different and is more sharp. This is why if you do get invited to a after party ensure you go with your friends and people who will look after you and in some cases protect you from harm as you never know what people the after party may bring and in most cases is where the savages really breed and cause havoc after too much drink and drugs or just what I call unpolitically correct IE people who don’t know how to act right in social gatherings. There is something apparent with some people but not all people but some people haven’t got good intentions and take advantage of people whilst in a state if that’s to have sex with them, set them up IE rob or beat them up or both and there are sour people out there who once again doesn’t know how to act IE get jealous or they are hungry and have money motives whatever the case the after party can be the most vunerablist places you can go and you can easily be set up for the fall of your life if you decide to ditch your friends for someone who you just met or kissed and even the new friends would leave you in the cold so never think you are safe going alone.
I’ve said this a few different times in this post but here’s another angle going out with your reckless friends IE the people who like to get into fights and start trouble cos they have had too much consumption. I know you can’t pick your friends and also your rave pals but it is important to go out with people just like you so if you like to fight go out with people who also like to fight or if you are like me and just like a good time ensure to go out with people who like to dance all night and not cause a fuss and get thrown out the rave or club or be involved in some sort of altercation. I’ve seen it time after time when the lady or gent get’s involved in their friends mess and by right they are doing the right thing and protecting them from their own foolishness but they are always the people who intervene are the same ones being attacked I mean sometimes I’m like wow I didn’t expect that but at times it made me feel bad for the person as they are just doing what any normal friend would do which is dampen the situation and get them out that situation. So what I’m saying is if you don’t enjoy babysitting and you like a nice easy night do pick your friends carefully and avoid the gobby ones who like to act hard and start fights with people bigger or smaller than them cos that’s the thing it’s always someone smaller then them and they gang up on them or someone who is way out their league and on their one’s. One one likes to get involved in a altercation and babysitting isn’t fun either so to make it a safe night that you can look back at do follow this step and go with the outgoing bubbly characters who don’t argue or start fights. The other thing is to avoid a frosty night do pick people who you know who get along and not the frenemies of the pack where there is going be some awkward moments.
Now I know I said dress to impress and not like you got a meeting with the vicar, pastor bishop or whatever but avoid wearing your best best outfit and shoes, accessories etc when going to a rave. This does mean avoiding wearing any top fashion designs that cost a arm and a leg for example any Balenciaga pieces even the hat not only will it get dirty especially your shoes it may leave you as a target for robbers who don’t mind snatching the piece from your back, head or legs. It is also very easy for drinks to spill on your clothes and leave nasty stains and smells on them which is why it’s best to dress in something a little less expensive but you still look the part in. Basically dress in something smart that you don’t mind getting a mess on and something that didn’t cost too much money to buy that is easily replaceable. This does apply to jewelry too avoid wearing your expensive chunky chains, embezzled watches and fancy diamond rings and necklaces unless you are rolling deep. This also goes for if you are trying to blend into the crowd and not cause so much attention on yourself for all the right and wrong reasons. Wearing expensive jewelry or having a expensive clothes range, bag whatever can make you feel vulnerable and can leave you open to getting unwanted attention and you will be on your tippy toes for most of the night IE on guard waiting for someone to attack also cue what I was saying about the after parties and why some people would invite you to be setup. Also but a hard one to overcome is leaving your phone in the car or at home as they are easily lost and even stolen and there are groups of males and females who work in gangs and will flirt with you and sometimes drug you to get your possessions like your phone or bank card I’ve seen some trifling stuff in the past like men giving away their bank pins to the honeys sometimes it’s innocent but most of the time it’s usually the honey trappers who rob them blind and mark up a massive tab on their account or they are hungry poverty stricken ladies and gents who always does this sort of thing and is their hunting ground to look for victims to drain.
As I said before the rave can be a sacred place and the energy inside the arenas and dancefloors are unmatchable which is why there is no room for hating or any insecure hang ups you may have. You must be sociable to go to a rave and not be a hater say 1. racists, 2. homophobic, 3. right wing or hating on someone in general and no not the rival at your old school I mean people who are having a good time and making the best of the night. People in the rave won’t put up with any of the above I mentioned and you will quickly find yourself on the outside if you do carry yourself in a hateful manner. Most people in a rave don’t like a bully or a hater and things can escalate quite quickly if people start to notice you are hating too much or just being a bully with their pretenses and hangups. One thing that is quite frequently seen is when people start to hate on the music or they hate on the DJs the legends and newcomers. Nothing gets people’s backs up more or atleast one of them is this when they start to hate on the music or the DJs playing especially us people who we were brought up with these artists and love so much. I don’t know what it is well I do actually they get tricked out and start to feel the DJ is giving them daggers when they are just playing a track or if they play something that reminds them of their mostly mother or the other one sung by a gay artist or they dare I say sound gay or their conception of what is gay and they start to call the DJ a gay lord for example or they call them whack cos it’s not hard enough for them and not something to kiss the floor to IE get off their tits about. Never boo the DJ or artist unless you are at a UK Garage night or your in a urban surrounding as you never know who came out for that person and is their number one fan and trust me people will act on it and feel some type of way if you disrespect them especially the heavyweight legends who built the foundations and groundwork to make it into something it is today like nah they fall off or they need to retire it’s bare cheek and even something I wouldn’t stand for and trust me I’m a nice person who doesn’t like to get into unnecessary fights but some people just ain’t me. So the moral of the story for this one is quit hating and enjoy the night and stop leaking all that negativity with the ravers and DJs etc.
Okay so we are at the end of my how to rave the do’s and don’ts and I hope you’ve learned something and take it all into your new raving life something for you new ravers who have a event coming up in the summer or even sooner or later on in life. A rave can be a intimidating and daunting place but it’s not that scary if you follow some simple rules like the ones I discussed and remember your manners and general etiquette when raving. Remember allow space when dancing something I should of put in this list but a sorry and a smile can overturn the careless bumping and it’s best not to dance with your arms swinging even though sometimes it’s hard not to throw your hands and arms in all directions and lose yourself but being conscious which is the main takeaway from this blog post is the best practice for making it out alive from the rave. When all said and done it’s not that serious and people like a laugh and to see people have a laugh and most importantly have a good time so go out there and have a good time and enjoy the night as stress free as possible and remember we all have our insecurities and hang ups but most of us leave it at the front door and get on with the night and not be a bother to anyone or hate on something you may not enjoy the sight or sound of which means blanking out any awkward moments. In other news but keeping it tied to the rave theme I have got rid of my Soundcloud artist page things wasn’t working out for me on the platform but I have replaced it with playlists of other people’s music I’ve been listening to and just love and rate sooo much mostly the sound of yesteryear and also current stuff too. I’ve made a special playlist of rave playlists from rave genres like House, Deep House, UK Garage, UK Funky, Jungle/Drum and Bass, Dance music and more if you want to know what inspires me as a artist, what I rave to and what I listen to in my downtime check out these playlists as you won’t be sorry if you like the good old school rave vibes come follow me and be updated every time I post something.
Afrofuturism music stems from the Afrofuturism and is a multidisciplinary cultural aesthetic, philosophy, and genre blending African heritage with science fiction, technology, and fantasy to imagine liberated,,, hopeful futures for Black life. The word was coined in 1993 and it explores the African diaspora through art, literature, music, and fashion to recontextualize the past and reclaim agency. Emerging from African-American science fiction, it was shaped by writers like Octavia Butler and Samuel R. Delany and musicians such as Sun Ra, who blended outer space themes with Egyptian mythology. Afrofuturism within music represents a diaspora of music that is non-traditional, focusing on the topic of blackness, space, and technology. It heavily features the artificial sounds of synthesizers and drum machines while incorporating lyrical themes of black history and cultural pride, progress, spirituality, and science fiction. One of the earliest examples of this aesthetic can be seen in the film Space Is the Place which depicts the free jazz band of Sun Ra involved in a science fiction plot where the musician starts preparing a group of young black folks to colonize an outer planet, thus giving birth to a new afro-centric civilization in another planet. Studies on Afrofuturistic music highlight the genre’s challenging of sonic norms by blending elements found in Hip-Hop, Jazz, R&B, Funk, and Electronic music. Melting together different sounds and cultures with Afrofuturist music emphasizes the otherworldly, alternative nature that defines most Afrofuturist works. When performed live, the genre has been observed to combine distinct sounds and sound cultures across the African Diaspora. Jamaican-American party host, DJ Kool Herc, was a well-renowned DJ in the 1970s. He was one of the many disc jockeys on the 70s New York music scene responsible for mixing Jamaica’s signature hefty, booming sound systems with R&B and Rap, bass-heavy African American genres. This combination maximized audience immersion and storytelling capabilities. Present-day Afrofuturistic musicians, such as Hip-Hop duo, Outkast, and Jazz composer, Nicole Mitchell, have traces of DJ Kool Herc’s multi-cultural influences in their song arrangements and performances, utilizing his signature beat isolation and sound systems decades later. Contemporary Afrofuturism often explores metaphysical areas such as “cosmogony, cosmology, and speculative philosophy”. A new generation of recording artists has embraced Afrofuturism through their music and fashion, including Solange Knowles, Rihanna, and Beyoncé. Other artists such as Erykah Badu, Missy Elliott and Janelle Monáe have expanded on these themes incorporating the use of cyborg and metallic visuals into their style. Other 21st century musicians who have been characterized as Afrofuturist include singer FKA Twigs, musical duo Ibeyi, musical artist Spoek Mathambo, DJ/producer Ras G, and musician and filmmaker Flying Lotus. Janelle Monáe’s work emphasizes Afofuturist themes in urban contemporary music. Her notable works include the music videos “Prime Time” and “Many Moons”, which explore the realms of slavery and freedom through the world of cyborgs and the fashion industry. She is credited with proliferating Afrofuturist funk into a new neo-Afrofuturism by use of her Metropolis-inspired alter-ego, Cindi Mayweather, who incites a rebellion against the Great Divide, a secret society, in order to liberate citizens who have fallen under their oppression. This ArchAndroid role reflects earlier Afrofuturistic figures Sun Ra and George Clinton, who created their own visuals as extra-terrestrials beings rescuing African-Americans from the oppressive natures of Earth. Other influences include Blade Runner and Star Wars. Additionally, Monáe expanded contemporary Afrofuturist explorations to literary media. In 2022, Monáe released a companion to her 2018 album, Dirty Computer, called The Memory Librarian: And Other Stories of Dirty Computer. Janelle Monáe uses technology to shed light on current social and political issues which is a key factor of Afrofuturism. This is evident in The Memory Librarian: and Other Stories by Dirty Computer. The first example of technology being used as a warning of what is to come if we do not proceed with caution and change our current socio-political climate, as well as a symbol for future and current ways of oppression. In this story, technology is used to wipe memories. Hence, its victims are reborn without knowing their past selves, only what they have been conditioned to believe according to the “Standards”. Those who are in minority groups, such as BIPOC and the LGBTQ+, are seen as “Dirty” and must be wiped clean. Monáe expands on this on page fourteen when Seshet goes out with Alethia, “With New Dawn, any gender nonconformity is enough to get you a deviant code appended to your number-dirty computer, recommended for urgent cleaning- and she doesn’t want to flag anyone tonight”. The “urgent cleaning” that Seshet contemplates is wiping out one’s memory. This is shown visually in her short film Dirty Computer. Monáe highlights how oppressors can easily use technology to control the oppressed. The other two examples of how Monáe uses technology to showcase the relationship between humans is how AI is utilized in a more technologically advanced way as well as Seshet, the Director Memory Librarian, amongst others in an authoritative position able to access people’s dreams and memories as a way to ensure they follow the “Standards” and are not classified as a “Dirty Computer”. Monáe’s artistic vision extends beyond mere entertainment, serving as a reflection of present realities and a cautionary tale for the future. By embracing Afrofuturist themes and leveraging technology as a narrative device, Monáe invites audiences to confront uncomfortable truths and contemplate the potential consequences of unchecked power and systemic injustice. Through her music and storytelling, Monáe continues to use artistic expression to challenge societal norms for a more equitable and inclusive future. Additional musical artists to emerge since the turn of the millennium regarded as Afrofuturist include dBridge, SBTRKT, Shabazz Palaces, Heavyweight Dub Champion, and Drexciya (with Gerald Donald). Other artists include visual artists Hebru Brantley as well as contemporary artist Rashid Johnson, a Chicago native currently based in New York. In 2013, Chicago resident Ytasha L. Womack wrote the study Afrofuturism: The World of Black Science Fiction and Fantasy, and William Hayashi has published all three volumes of his Darkside Trilogy which tells the story of what happens in America when the country discovers African Americans secretly living on the backside of the moon since before the arrival of Neil Armstrong, an extreme vision of segregation imposed by technologically advanced blacks. Krista Franklin, a member of University of Chicago’s Arts Incubator, is currently exploring the relation between Afrofuturism and the grotesque through her visual and written work with weaves and collected hair. Recently, she also created an audio narrative in collaboration with another Afrofuturist, Perpetual Rebel, called The Two Thousand and Thirteen Narrative(s) of Naima Brown, which explores the ideas of identity and transformation within the context of hair and African-American culture. The movement has grown globally in the arts. Afrofuturist Society was founded by curator Gia Hamilton in New Orleans. Artists like Demetrius Oliver from New York, Cyrus Kabiru from Nairobi, Lina Iris Viktor from Liberia, famed Nigerian-American solar muralist, Shala and Wanuri Kahiu of Kenya have all steeped their work in the cosmos or sci-fi. Today, Afrofuturism has been portrayed in popular movies like the feature film Black Panther (2018). American costume designer Ruth E. Carter brought her vision to life. To best represent her work, she borrowed ideas from true African designs. “To imagine the fictional African nation of Wakanda, without the influence of [European colonizers], Ms. Carter borrowed from indigenous people across the continent.” In early February 2021, it was announced that the companies of Idris Elba and his wife, Sabrina Dhowre, would be developing an Afrofuturist adult animated, sci-fi, series, tentatively titled Dantai, for Crunchyroll, which would be about a time when biotech has “created an ever-widening gap between the haves and have-nots”. The series was also described as an “afropunk sci-fi series”. I have made four Afrofuturism albums the first one I did around 2018 called Afro Cosmic Generation, the second one I made around 2019 called Space Lemonade, the third one I made about 2023 called 3 Moons Later and finally the fourth album I made last night in 2026 called The Ghettos Of Space. I’ll leave the visuals albums below but there will be a link to all four visual albums in a form of a playlist below too. I’ll be concentrating on the last album I made The Ghettos Of Space as it’s one album I have lined out coming out this month and some of my favs and different aspects to the sound of Afrofuturism. Here’s a tip for you if you know what is going where but be sure to number them I go up to seven and start with 1 and structure wise I do it as follows.
1-Drums
1- Synths
2- Drums
3-Bass
4-Synths
Hook-Synths
Hook – Synths
4-Synths
Hook-Synths
Hook-Synths
4-Synths
Hook-Synths
6-Synths
Hook – Synths
Hook – Synths
Hook2-Synths
Hook2-Synths
7-Synths
For most of the albums I made I used African percussion I found and bought online a long time ago. The first example. I used the 808 drum kit by Roland for the main drums and for the percussion I used a mixture of a World sample pack I have and another sample pack called African One Shots which I use and used on nearly all my Afrofuturism albums I have done in the past all but one. My style is mostly Hip Hop stumming so this is a Hip Hop type drum beat and at 100 BPM which I carefully crafted out. I normally put around 4 normal drums in the loops and four percussion African drum mostly at the start of the track then another four normal drum loops and then another four drum percussion loops I made from scratch near the end for a the big Crescendo but this one I left it for the end for the big finish. The drum samples come from the song I made with it and is called Tribal Offering.
For the next example I used more from the Roland 808 drum kit and more of the African one shot sample pack. I wanted some difference and something you could dance to so I put this one as 120 BPM for a more quicker paced track and something you could swing those hips to. Going with the tribal theme this one has a dark but upbeat Tribal House feel to it and I liked how this one went. The Samples came from the song I made with it called Martian Brothers and is one of my favs of drum patterns on the album.
This one I picked 110 BPM and more of the same sample packs I have stored on my computer and hard drives. For more range I made a 80s Synthwave pattern using 80s Retro Drummer by Zenhiser which is my go to drum one shots kits I use for my 80s Synthwave. The samples came from a song I made with it called Black Spaces and I think is quite diverse I could remix this sometime who knows.
For this one I used the Lindrum one shot kit which I think is really good for making Reggae with but I quite like the Lindrum kit as it has the most sharpest kits in the bag and seem to get some good patterns out of it. I put the BPM to 130 for even more range and something a bit more upbeat and vibrant to the track. The samples came from a song I made with the samples from the track called The Funk Within.
This one I used more of the Roland 808 drum kit and more African drum percussion samples. I set the BPM to 110 working my way through the BPMs I have done already. A bit more of a settle beat until it picks up and I placed that at the end or near the end of the track as I did with all of the tracks on the album. The samples came from a song I made with the samples called Afrodizziak.
For this one I used the Roland 909 drum kit for more of a punchier feel to the drums with yet more African percussion drums I’ve been using a lot on all my Afrofuturism albums. I set the BPM to 130 for of a more quicker feel and vibe and also some more danceable numbers bringing a whole new light to Afrofuturism music. Such Electronic Dance Music genres like UK Funky, Tribal and even Afro Beat could all meet the requirements to make a Afrofuturism song I think and even other rave and non rave genres. The samples came from a song I made with the samples called Space Herdsman (From Planet B.)
This one I used more of the Zenhiser one shot sample pack which definitely comes in handy and I’ve used it on all my Synthwave drum patterns like this one. More of the African theme with the percussion drums spread out throughout the song. I set the BPM to 100 for a steady soothing rate which I like about the pattern and is another one of my favs of drum patterns on this album or samples. The samples came from a song I made with the samples called Brothers & Sisters (What Planet Do U Live On.)
The last one for the drum patterns and this one is at 120 BPM. I used more off the Lindrum to make the patterns with as always African drum percussion to help shape the song. This is a Reggae number and once again something to consider making if you do plan on making some Afrofuturism music. The Dub side of Reggae suits best for making a Afrofuturism song or also some Experimental music too will also suit the genre quite well in a Jamaican Experimental music fashion. The samples came from a song I made with the samples called Africa Rise.
Starting with the first track on the album called Tribal Offering I used the V Jun-63 by Arturia and off the V Collection and it’s a emulator to the Juno by Roland. You get some funky basses from the V Collection and this is one of them handy for playing along with a MIDI controller. I like to use the funky basses in my Afrofuturism music I make and I try to go with stuff that is applicable IE and in this case something funky and spacy which I think ticks all the right boxes when making music in general.
In this track Martian Brothers I used the Matrix-12 V from Arturia and off a V Collection for this bass and I like this one more edgy but funky basses ready to smack the chops out of you. The Matrix-12 V has so many good spacy synthy vibes on and I’m amazed how many I have picked already and there still are plenty more. I always look for the edgier sounds and make sure they are loud enough and peeking through the mix or I won’t use it.
The next track called Black Spaces I used the Jun-6-V by Arturia and off the V Collection for the basses. I also like a bit of wobble and flutter so I liked this bass and thought it went well with the song I was making. I mostly start with C4 on the MIDI keyboard and rearrange the keys each time I start a new track as my MIDI keyboard isn’t that big and has a range from C4-C6 C5 being middle C and the start of most songs.
Next up is off the track called The Funk Within and I used a sample this time from a UK Funky sample pack I got and use quite a lot when making UK Funky. I also like to use a lot of bassy sines and I loved the bass in this one so I thought why not. I also went for this one as I felt it had a bit of tribal touch to it so I thought I’d add it on. I was also looking for more clubby danceable numbers so I also thought it suited it for that reason as well.
The next one is off a track called Afrodizziak and I used the Matrix-12-V by Arturia and off the V Collection to make these basses. I was looking for some settle basses not something to in your face as I already did a couple of tracks under those lines so I picked this one for a smooth calming tone which goes well with what I was making. This one is a gentle number which is also why I picked this bass as it suited it best and partly how I like my basses.
The next one is off a track called Space Herdsman (From Planet B) and I used the Jun-6-V by Arturia and off the V Collection to make these basses. The bass reminds me of the old Nintendo gaming music like on Mario I think it’s a square wave also one of my favs to use when making music when I come across them I use them as I like the clarity of the bass like this one. I also like it’s earthly sound to it which I put in a lot of music in general but also the Afrofuturism music I make.
Moving onto the next sample this comes from a track called Brothers & Sisters (What Planet Are You From) and I used the Jun-6-V by Arturia and off the V Collection to make these basses. I went for more of a settle bass in this one but it was going to be dark and moody until I thought I want a chilled track to go with the others and for some difference to the album. I quite like this bass and is a more gentler bass to the others where it’s more in your face.
The last one for this section and this one is off a track called Africa Rise and is the Dub Reggae song I made for difference and to give it more spectrum to other music makers who might want to make some Afrofuturism music. I used the Dubmatixs Presents Ultimate Dub & Reggae One Shots which I found a long time ago on Loopmasters.com where I used to shop for loops until I found Splice.com. I like the rumble of the bass reminds me of a powerline or something but I liked it anyway and thought it went well with the track.
These samples are from the track Tribal Offering and I used the Jun-6-V by Artruria and off the V Collection. Some nice soft melodic sounds to the mixture. As it’s a Afrofuturism album I went for the space theme and chose the most spacy synth sounds from a wide collection of synths. It reminds me of being in a galaxy far far away and also floating in the air in the abys of space. It follows on to my other previous albums and the one I did a couple of months ago called Three Moons Later.
These collection of samples comes the track Martian Brothers and I used the Matrix-12-V by Arturia alongside some House samples I found which I bought off Loopmaster.com a very long time ago. I wanted to explore the more Electronic Dance Music side so I added some House samples in there too for difference and to add some more danceable synthy beats to the collection.
The next bunch of synth samples are from the track Black Spaces and I used the Jun-6-V again for some more space stary night music and for a more gentler approach to this song and for difference. I remember using a pad which I like to use on most of my Electronic and Synthwave music as they sound so nice but I like this one especially as it makes it sound warm and gentle and down to earth.
On to the next one and this one is from the track The Funk Within and I used the Matrix-12-V and some more House samples I found on my computer which I bought off Loopmasters.com a very long time ago around 2016. I love the dial up sound I put into the track and I think goes well with the track I made and also the House samples which also suits the track and takes it into a whole different direction.
The next sample is off Afrodizziak and I used the Matrix-12-V for this one and some more softer tones for difference and to incite the spacy feeling. I really like the sequencer which all the plugins have a collection of sequencers to use. It brings that melodic drifting in air feeling like you have zoned out and it brings that softer touch and side to Electronic music which is also called Electronica IE tracks that doesn’t evoke dancing. It still has a edgy sound in there too and once again to evoke space.
The next one is from the track Space Herdsman (From Planet B) and I used the Jun-6-V for this one and more spacy vibes to enjoy. I like the higher up stuff and once again I feel makes the track in to something great. I used the sequencer again for a more melodic sounding track and like all the other tracks filled it up with lots of different frequencies to fill up blank spaces. I do use a limiter, a tube compressor and Fab Filters to glue it all together and to even out the sound but apart from that I leave it as it is.
The next one is from the track Brothers & Sisters (What Planet Are You From and I got the synths from the Jun-6-V and some more melodic lighter side of Electronic music. I like all the synths in this one and is one of my favs as it’s reminiscent and deja vu ish of older synth music that I love to listen to. I used more of the sequencer which I placed into the track at the hook end actually and I think it sounds alright.
The last samples and bringing the album to a finish is Rise Africa and I used more one shots from Dubmatixs Presents Ultimate Dub & Reggae One Shots sample pack which I bought for around £40.00 but it was worth it. I went for a traditional skanking song with lots of dub sounds I love to hear when listening to Reggae but especially Dub Reggae. It reminds me of being outside on a hot day or on a beach. I thought I’d add some Reggae for difference and to give Afrofuturism some more windows to open if you are gain for suggestions.
If you are looking for some spacy vibes then the Jun-6-V and the Matrix-6 by Arturia and part of the V Collection are your answers to praise. There are many more to try within the collection and fit the bill of spacy vibes and also edgier sounds too that I love to use. Experimenting is the key with different sounds and titles and bringing new light to Afrofuturism music makes it worth making the genre. Understanding the fundamentals and what makes up the category of Afrofuturism really helps you adapt new ideas and titles which I always got the titles first. So basically it’s best to stock up on the knowledge and have enough song titles and concepts to do without spoon feeding it to yourself little by little. The main takeaways are something spacy and something African you can experiment with other sounds too I went with the percussion drums for all my tracks but as long as it has that African feel to it it’s good to go. Saying that using Reggae Elements as well as Synthwave elements like the Boogie genre and other Synthwave sounds also works too.
