Counterpoints Arts produced flagship Refugee Week UK gig at Rich Mix London celebrating this year’s theme of ‘Welcome’.
Logic, one of the UK’s leading voices in political hip hop, will be heading up this first of two special evenings featuring artists and activists calling for action and awareness for refugees.
Logic is an artist and activist, and states this position through empowering songs entitled Question Everything, For my People and his latest track I’m not an Alien. His socio-political activism and commentary is entwined throughout lyrics with current themes about imperialism, war, government cuts & corporations, equality and social consciousness.
Co-founder of The People’s Army, which he established with like-minded artists such as Lowkey to effect ‘positive change’. Featuring luminaries of the UK hip hop and grime scene like Akala, George the Poet, and Mic Righteous, the People’s Army is a community and platform for ideas to raise awareness.
Songs like Spectator tear your heart out with hard-hitting lyrics whilst more up-tempo anthems such as The Future make Logic one of the most talented live performers in UK hip hop.
African Boy is a second generation Nigerian living in London who has built a strong reputation for cultural exchange, youth activism and engaging with other rappers internationally in countries like Sudan and Algeria. He has toured and guested on songs by MIA, collaborated with DJ Shadow, and toured with the Africa Express 8 tour that featured legends like Baba Maal, Femi Kuti, Fatoumata Diawara and Damon Albarn.
African Boy is cheeky and vibrant in his performance, with an extra sharp wardrobe cut from Nigerian threads – but at the heart of his songs are the hardships of the migrant and refugee experience, visa issues, and identity fused with urban sounds from the UK and Nigeria. His music is rooted in influences like Fela Kuti, King Sunny Ade and Dizzy Rascal. In 2015 he performed at the “Jungle” camp in Calais where he met with and performed to refugees there – this resulted in a film produced in partnership with Secret Cinema called ‘Border Business’.
The support acts is an ongoing collaboration between OpSa! Balkan Band with a young Czech Roma MC Azza from Margate, which again embodies the theme of ‘Welcome’.
Expect to question and be provoked, expect to be inspired to show unity for refugees.
Suggested hashtag for this event: #RefugeeWeek #RefugeeWelcome