As part of Black History Month, we’re celebrating with a few of the many, many outrageously talented Black artists who share their gift at Sofars throughout the UK. Here are five artists whose performances elevate us with their creativity, delivery, and of course, raw talent.
Dee Ajayi
Hailing from the West Midlands, Dee Ajayi first floored us back in 2017 with her delicate, vulnerable Sofar performance of “Finishing Touches,” a tribute to her late father. Her sound radiates truth, optimism, and solid melodies.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4yeUiSSP8E&list=PL4_SsHNp9R6ekxTGWG3jwbLT2FMnHdmbb&index=3
Kevin Davy White
A Londoner-by-way-of-France former electrician, Kevin Davy White found his way to making bluesy rock, and we’re all thankful for it. You think you’re dazzled by his powerful voice alone, but just wait til he gets going on those hyper-speed guitar moves.
DeeRiginal
An amalgamation of creativity– coming from Pimlico, Victoria, and Westminster in Central London, DeeRiginal makes hip-hop that’s poetry delivered in rap form, in a sound the artist simply calls, “Fresh Air.”
Ganda Boys
There’s no other way to say it– we love the Ganda Boys. Ugandan born and London-based lead singers Denis Mugagga and Daniel Sewagudde serenade with the stripped-down sounds of African Fusion, with some lyrical bits from producer Craig Pruess. They got us through a tough stretch of the pandemic last fall with their Listening Room performance– in fact they’ve played more than 90 Sofars, and we’re always eager for their next one. (And in case you missed– check out their incredible work with their organization, The Ganda Foundation.)
Mr. Gee
Some know him as the “Poet Laureate” from The Russell Brand Show, or from his TedX talks or work with BBC Radio 4. Here at Sofar, we know the Shoreditch local for his spoken-word deliveries that are part tongue-twister, part rich, observational poetry. Start with “Sea Shells” below.
Check out these artists and many more at a Sofar show near you!
photo image: Kevin Davy White, Photo by Michal Augustini
