NEWS & EVENTS

---

In this edition of Drop Da Biscuit I check in with the multi-talented Mojiba Ashanti, daughter of the legendary drummer, percussionist, and vocalist Count Ossie. Mojiba discusses, among other things, the inspiration behind her poetry collections, her various acting exploits, design creations, performing with the Mystic Revelation of Rastafari and her record releases.

Since launching on Berwick St in May 2011, Independent Label Market has brought together the founders of over 400 of the World’s greatest independent record labels on both sides of the Atlantic to sell limited editions, vinyl rarities and test pressings as well as exclusive label and band merchandise directly to the public at that traditional goods exchange – a market stall.

After 68 events supporting 600+ independent record labels from all over the globe, ILM is celebrating its 10 year anniversary, and 30th #ILMlondon edition, at coal drops yard on 10th July!

This month marks the return of the Tribeca Film Festival, which begins on June 9 and goes on until June 20. The festival will feature a number of films making their debut, including a handful of notable documentaries. Of course, there’s the Dave Chappelle Documentary, which explores the comedian’s socially-distanced cornfield concerts he hosted last year, but there will also be documentaries on Rick James, A$AP Rocky, Dick Gregory, and Gordon Parks. Check out a report at Okay Player.

Meet poet, songwriter, playwright and recording artist, Buzrak Alpha Mabrak. His journey includes writing plays for the New York underground, spearheading several community poetry projects for kids, travelling to an international music industry trade fair (Midem) from Jamaica with just $10US in his pocket and penning a song for the 2012 London Olympics. 

Two members of the US House Of Representatives have written to Spotify boss Daniel Ek stating that the streaming firm’s new Discovery Mode initiative raises “significant policy issues”. With that in mind, they want Ek to answer a number of questions about the scheme by 16 June reports Complete Music Update.

From the hills of rural Jamaica, armed only with his overwhelming talent and righteous beliefs, Bob Marley applied himself with resolute determination to achieve international acclaim for his prophetic musical message – a gospel of love and unity. With unlimited access to Marley’s platinum-selling catalogue of music, the multi award-winning team of Lee Hall (writer), Clint Dyer (director) and Arinzé Kene (playing Bob Marley) capture the rebellious spirit and story of this universal icon.

From October 2021 at the Lyric Theatre, London. 

The African Music Business Forum: Levelling the Playing Field for African Music. The African Music Business Forum is an online information platform created with the primary interest of stimulating the growth of local music businesses across Africa. It provides a secure and vetted opportunity for Western and global music corporations large and small to pitch their services to a captive tailored African music business audience from the comfort of wherever they are around the globe, via a computer, tablet, or smartphone to interface. 

Ripton Lindsay has developed a dance style that fuses traditional Jamaican Kumina dance with contemporary Hip Hop, reggae and jazz. In this new edition of Drop Da Biscuit I break bread with Ripton and we discuss Kumina, Maroon culture, performing at festivals, the Beyond Skin Northern Ireland community project and researching a fascinating ancestral family history. See also https://www.riptonlindsay.com/ 

Music consumption, particularly in the West, is commoditised. Transforming from the economies of ownership to access and the removal of production and distribution barriers led to the devaluation of, not necessarily ‘the song’, but of  ‘listening to a song’. Interesting article from Midia Research on how music could develop its relationship with games. 

To celebrate the return of the Deptford Dub Club (featuring Neville King) we dip back into the Drop Da Biscuit archive and check in with DJ, promoter and street artist, Soft Wax. Among other things, Steve discusses Rock Against Racism, the strange bond between punk and reggae and the birth, development and growth of the Deptford Dub Club. 

Excellent study of the Marvin Gaye classic in the Smithsonian. Released on May 21, 1971, at the height of the Vietnam War, Marvin Gaye’s album became a monster, spawning three hit singles on its way to becoming Motown’s best-selling album to date. The album also marked a turning point for Motown and for Marvin Gaye as an artist.

POWER UP has announced the music creators, industry professionals and executives who will make up Year 1 of the Participant Programme, a key feature of the long-term initiative launched to address anti-Black racism and racial disparities in the music sector.