Champion One. Champion All.

A digital photography exhibition created and annotated by Anthony Wilde, showcasing 33 individuals from Merseyside who contribute positively to the Black music scene.

Champion One. Champion All. (2020-11/2020-12) by CCulture Liverpool

Champion One. Champion All. (2020-11/2020-12) by Culture LiverpoolCulture Liverpool

Kof - Producer, Singer, Song writer, Rapper, Engineer

Kof has always had passion and dedication to submersing himself in music. If he's not in the studio, he's behind the camera, if not behind the camera he's guiding someone with advice and support. He's always made himself about the art from instead of anything else.

Champion One. Champion All. (2020-11/2020-12) by Culture LiverpoolCulture Liverpool

Buster - Flute Musician

Buster has seen a great deal of change throughout his life and music has awakened a stream for him to share those experiences with the audience. To listen is a privilege and each note reveals a little about a person's tale that you did not know.

Champion One. Champion All. (2020-11/2020-12) by Culture LiverpoolCulture Liverpool

Rachel & Mia - Go Off Sis Hub

Rachel and Mimi have continuously shown their skills and the value in having a platform that engages and supports people from different ethnic groups from our city. They demonstrate that the platform signifies a community that doesn't always feel a part of the conversation. 

Champion One. Champion All. (2020-11/2020-12) by Culture LiverpoolCulture Liverpool

Jennifer John - Creative Director, Singer & Songwriter

Jennifer is remarkable human being. To be able to listen and learn from someone that has learnt from every experience presented to her and triumphed is a rare delight. Her ability to captivate audiences whilst she sings and plays the piano with grace and harmony is overwhelming.

Champion One. Champion All. (2020-11/2020-12) by Culture LiverpoolCulture Liverpool

SUB BLUE - Singer & Songwriter

 SUB BLUE articulates himself through his music to share a perspective that isn't well known - the suburban view. He radiates a sense of detachment from all this materialism and by way of showing a relatable quality that resonates.

Champion One. Champion All. (2020-11/2020-12) by Culture LiverpoolCulture Liverpool

iamkyami - Singer, Songwriter, Producer, DJ & Presenter

Kyami so easily creates an atmosphere that welcomes you with open arms, no need to be anyone else but yourself around her. She exudes passion and all-round love for what she creates by her own hands. That's what makes Kyami unique, what makes her artistry outstanding.

Champion One. Champion All. (2020-11/2020-12) by Culture LiverpoolCulture Liverpool

KOJ Rapper - Trap, Drill, Grime Artist

KOJ executes his music like a scholar of society painting real environments that don't have any light shone on their whereabouts. He's staying ahead of the traffic and compensating on nothing. You can't fault an artist for remaining true to themselves despite the offers he gets.

Champion One. Champion All. (2020-11/2020-12) by Culture LiverpoolCulture Liverpool

Aaron Fontenot - Founder of Culture Deck

Culture Deck has taken huge steps to emerge as the number one platform for music and culture across Merseyside. Their unmatched approach to unearthing and nurturing new talent from the wider scope of Liverpool has made significant change in musical palette that the city is accustomed to. 

Champion One. Champion All. (2020-11/2020-12) by Culture LiverpoolCulture Liverpool

Ngunan Adamu - Radio Presenter

Ngunan uses her tools to make our experiences contribute towards change and understanding. Our stories are valuable and that means they need to be nurtured and respected always.

Champion One. Champion All. (2020-11/2020-12) by Culture LiverpoolCulture Liverpool

Gaia/G33 - DJ

Gaia breathes energy into the music scene in Liverpool. Along with many other DJs, she is taking the music she loves and what's shaped her upbringing and playing to huge numbers around the city. Gaia is an integral part of that sound, spirit and love we have for music.

Champion One. Champion All. (2020-11/2020-12) by Culture LiverpoolCulture Liverpool

Rvheem - Singer & Songwriter

What makes him different is the same reason you'll play his tracks. Rvheem makes a point of showing that there is no reason why being yourself isn't enough. People like this is why our city is growing to new heights from the inside out.

Champion One. Champion All. (2020-11/2020-12) by Culture LiverpoolCulture Liverpool

DJ 2Kind - DJ & Radio Presenter

2Kind orchestrates the best of what's happened from Liverpool in Black music with what's being discovered now by people every weekend. 2kind is still at the forefront of what's happening in Liverpool.

Champion One. Champion All. (2020-11/2020-12) by Culture LiverpoolCulture Liverpool

Paddy Quinn - DJ, Promoter, Brand & Creative Director

Paddy’s extensive knowledge of Hip-Hop music perpetuates his ambition to continue striving to bring the best of the world's artists to Liverpool. From fashion, curation and consultancy Paddy has been able to apply his method of artistry to establish the Liverpool sound.

Champion One. Champion All. (2020-11/2020-12) by Culture LiverpoolCulture Liverpool

Hannah Lynch - DJ

  Hannah has become one of the most in demand DJs in Liverpool. One of the few passing on knowledge about the scene and the best ways to navigate it, Hannah demonstrates why it's imperative for Liverpool to support female DJs and to be given a platform.

Champion One. Champion All. (2020-11/2020-12) by Culture LiverpoolCulture Liverpool

Kadeem France - Lead Singer of Metal Band LOATHE

Seeing the impact Kadeem and his band has had across Europe and knowing that Liverpool is where it all began is incredible. To know the music scene in Liverpool varies greatly from one genre to the next is important to how we keep understanding and learning from our difference.

Champion One. Champion All. (2020-11/2020-12) by Culture LiverpoolCulture Liverpool

Ni - Jazz Singer-Songwriter

Ni’s eloquence and sweet nature made for such a fulfilling experience. She poetically and seamlessly brings your attention back to the precious moment that you are made to be part of. That’s Ni, she makes that moment of radiant harmony more than just a glimpse of the imagination

Champion One. Champion All. (2020-11/2020-12) by Culture LiverpoolCulture Liverpool

Pelumi - Drill Rapper

Artistry isn't measured by the length of your career it's more about what you bring to the music whilst your making it. Pelumi isn't looking for accolades to fill the mantlepiece, she's focused on what matters. Her freestyles deliver a raw unpolished stream that breaks social norms.

Champion One. Champion All. (2020-11/2020-12) by Culture LiverpoolCulture Liverpool

Loan & Saad - 24 Kitchen Street

24 Kitchen Street is the bricks and mortar of where Liverpool music is allowed to ring true. You don't know a single individual from Kirkby to Toxteth that hasn't had a night in Kitchen Street. They've made a home for the under supported and misrepresented to enjoy Black music.

Champion One. Champion All. (2020-11/2020-12) by Culture LiverpoolCulture Liverpool

Levi Tafari - Writer, Performer, Urban Griot

Levi Tarari is a remarkable human being and his accomplishments never feel to stop. He still remains passionate about poetry, art and educating youngsters as ever before. He's one of a kind and should be celebrated far and wide. 

Champion One. Champion All. (2020-11/2020-12) by Culture LiverpoolCulture Liverpool

Mark Johnstone - Positive Vibration, DJ & Radio Presenter

One half of one of the most creative and diverse Reggae festivals in the world, Mark helps bring the sound of Dub and Reggae to Merseyside audiences. Every culture and every colour turns up to share the message conveyed by the people of Positive Vibration.

Champion One. Champion All. (2020-11/2020-12) by Culture LiverpoolCulture Liverpool

Karis Griffith - Curator, Stage Manager, LIME

Karis connects those of diverse backgrounds, she makes communities come together. Being entwined she sees the best of the city from the underground and brings that to the surface for the people to immerse in.

Champion One. Champion All. (2020-11/2020-12) by Culture LiverpoolCulture Liverpool

Mr Green - Club Promoter & Marketing Manager

Mr Green has transformed what can be the most average of nights out into a whole new experience. Visually capturing the exclusivity of nightlife in Liverpool and making it a place for everyone to feel and look the part.

Champion One. Champion All. (2020-11/2020-12) by Culture LiverpoolCulture Liverpool

Eric Gooden & Jayne Casey - Directors of District

District is the home for many and anyone is welcome. It's the feel of the place and the understanding that you are excepted as the person you are, the real Liverpool doesn't alienate or discriminate. District welcomes the obscure to the distinctly flamboyant.

Champion One. Champion All. (2020-11/2020-12) by Culture LiverpoolCulture Liverpool

Barbara Phillips - Founder of Positive Impact

Barbara provides space where creativity is encouraged and guided without judgment. Enabling young people from the community and surrounding areas to engage and see how valuable creative arts can be.

Champion One. Champion All. (2020-11/2020-12) by Culture LiverpoolCulture Liverpool

Julian Gill aka Esco Williams - Singer, Songwriter

Julian has never stepped away from creating what he loves, he's made it part of his life and shaped a career for himself and many other artists that have come from the city. He now nurtures the skills of upcoming youngsters that wish to do the same.

Champion One. Champion All. (2020-11/2020-12) by Culture LiverpoolCulture Liverpool

Sumuyya Khader - Artist, Illustrator

Sumuyya creates art with passion, incorporating colours and style. She bridges the understanding and importance of creativity. 

Champion One. Champion All. (2020-11/2020-12) by Culture LiverpoolCulture Liverpool

Errol & Marcel - The Group Chat Podcast

Podcasts deliver a conversation and feeling like nothing we've experienced before; they can set the tone and create a space for us to learn and explore how we think and feel. Errol and Marcel speak to the people directly and make sure everyone feels a part of the topic at hand

Champion One. Champion All. (2020-11/2020-12) by Culture LiverpoolCulture Liverpool

SpyKatcha - DJ, Actor & Radio Presenter

Spykatcha executes with a precision you only get from practice and having a rich love for what makes you happy. I see no limitations, just continuous growth and development and that's integral when making art.

Champion One. Champion All. (2020-11/2020-12) by Culture LiverpoolCulture Liverpool

DJ Olabean - DJ, Radio Presenter & Artist development

Olabean started like most DJs/artists do today, from their bedrooms. Producing and spinning records and later on premiering his own Hip-Hop/Dancehall show ‘Speakerbox'. Pioneers don't come round as real as this one. Currently nurturing young artists from the UK and abroad. 

Champion One. Champion All. (2020-11/2020-12) by Culture LiverpoolCulture Liverpool

Bluboy - Rapper, Spoken Word Artist

Bluboy is a unique character on the Liverpool music scene, tackling social prejudice and inequality through rhymes and rhythm. His realistic no restriction approach is a dose of reality partnered with laughter; every rhyme leaves your mind state better than before.

Champion One. Champion All. (2020-11/2020-12) by Culture LiverpoolCulture Liverpool

AMBA - Singer, Songwriters, R&B Group

Despite all the obstacles, music from where we live is still finding its way through. I don't see AMBA as another typical girl group, they speak-up and come at you, representing Liverpool in more ways than before. Each individual shares the ingredients Liverpool thrives on.

Champion One. Champion All. (2020-11/2020-12) by Culture LiverpoolCulture Liverpool

Garry Christian & Joey Ankrah - The Christians

Garry Christian has helped craft some of the most thought-provoking songs to come out of Liverpool in the last 30 years and still remains as genuine and honest in his music to the present day. 

Champion One. Champion All. (2020-11/2020-12) by Culture LiverpoolCulture Liverpool

Paul Duhaney - Artistic Director of Africa Oyé

Paul has contributed to the sustainability and growth of Liverpool’s creative diversity by heading Africa Oyé, now in his 21st year. Paul has transformed Sefton Park each year into a spectacle that emanates the richness of world culture and our own.

Credits: Story

Champion One. Champion All. in partnership with National Museums Liverpool forms part of On Record: Untold & Retold 2020. Funded by Culture Liverpool, Liverpool City Council and curated by Yaw Owusu (The Playmaker Group / Liverpool International Music Festival). Photography and annotation by Anthony Wilde.

Special thanks to: Kof | Buster | Rachel & Mia | Jennifer John | SUB BLUE | iamkyami | KOJ | Aaron Fontenot | Ngunan Adamu | Gaia | Rvheem | DJ 2Kind | Paddy Quinn | Hannah Lynch | Kadeem France | Ni | Pelumi | Loan & Saad | Levi Tafari | Mark Johnstone | Karis Griffith | Mr Green | Eric Gooden | Jayne Casey |  Barbara Phillips | Esco Williams | Sumuyya Khader | Marcel & Errol | SpyKatcha | DJ Olabean | Bluboy | AMBA | Garry Christian | Joey Ankrah | Paul Dunahey |

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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