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Amapiano is the latest wave of music pumping in the streets of South Africa right now. Pioneered by several producers and DJs, the genre originated from Johannesburg townships Soweto, Alexandra, Vosloorus and Katlehong. Mark Khoza says in ‘SHAYA! Amapiano documentary’, “Amapiano, we understand it in different ways, someone came up with the concept to infuse deep-house with the piano so the deep house can push this piano sound”. Throughout the documentary MFR Souls, the duo who gave the sound its name states that Amapiano is more than just a genre of music, it is a lifestyle. Originating from the townships, it lacked commercial backing. The power of social media enabled Amapiano to be spread across Africa and internationally. Da Kruk was one of the earliest DJs to give Amapiano airtime. On his show he dedicated an hour to the genre called ‘Amapiano hour’. Da Kruk stated: “Amapiano is one of the only genres where artists have got gigs independently where there is no business person trying to dictate where the artist should go. These guys have literally painted their own canvas”. To learn more about Amapiano and its rise to prominence you can check out the full documentary here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_B9frOKUwz0 
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Today (Monday 22nd of June) is Windrush Day. This marks 72 years since the HMT Empire Windrush arrived at the Tilbury docks in Essex carrying over 1000 passengers from the Caribbean. In this same year the British Nationality Act gave status to the citizens of then British colonies. From that day until 1970 nearly half a million people migrated to the UK from the Caribbean. They have had a tremendous impact on the shaping of British culture and helped rebuild British infrastructure after WW2 as well as making up a large proportion of health workers who have been frontline workers in the pandemic. However, they have been met with hostility and racism from the British government. In 1999, The Immigration and Asylum Act gave protection to long standing UK residents from Commonwealth nations from enforced removal. The Immigration Act of 2014 failed to make provision for those people who had immigrated from former colonies before 1973 and in 2018 83 people were deported. Windrush scandal? In 2012, Theresa May’s Home Office introduced the “Hostile Environment” policy including measures to limit access to work, housing, healthcare, bank accounts and more. It is characterised by a system of citizen-on-citizen immigration checks, where NHS, landlord, banks and employers enforced immigration controls and reported those who failed to meet check. The majority of these proposals became law via the Immigration Act 2014. Those who came to the country as part of the Windrush generation were promised this right on arrival between 1948 and 1973, however the Home Office demanded evidence for every year since 1973. As it was near-impossible to find sufficient evidence, these individuals were labelled illegal immigrants, a large number were held in immigration detention and blocked from seeing their families, while others were forcibly deported to the countries they hadn’t seen, lived in, or known since they were young children. So far the Home Office has admitted to 164 wrongful deportation cases, 11 of these individuals have since died homeless in the countries they were deported to. The Home Office, however, made a profit of £800m during the time period of these cases. One in 10 registered nurses in the UK came from overseas and each one, and every health and care worker, has played a special role in the country’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The UK needs to value the Windrush generation and the immigrants who came after this date. We must make steps towards ending racism in Britain, supporting victims of the Windrush scandal and donating to charities who give support to those affected by racism. How you can help: Email home office: commonwealthtaskforce@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk Donate Black Minds Matter: www.blackmindsmatteruk.com Donate to Law Centres to help people who cannot afford a lawyer: www.lawcentres.org.uk Victim support: Windrush Victim support: cacfouk.org/home/windrush-victim-support/ Free Advice: iasservices.org.uk/free-advice-members-windrush-generation/ Manchester has been graced with a brand-new showcase night that is at Off the Square every Thursday evening called Origin. Origin has curated the perfect lineup championing Manchester's underground artists and connecting the dots amongst creatives in the city. We spoke to founder Marc to give us a little more insight into Origin: "Myself, Cameron and Emma Rose have joined forces to create the no.1 showcase night in Manchester for new urban music. We've come together to carefully curate some incredible line ups and want to be known to be the go-to night if you want to come and see the future of rap, drill, grime and R&B in the form of live performances". Their first night is on July 22nd with alternative hip-hop collective Motto Estate headlining with the talented Ace Cxbain and Dunamis supporting. It is gonna be an incredible night full of creatives, great music and unmatched vibes. www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Manchester/Off-The-Square/Origin-ft-Motto-Estate--Friends-/35818160/   The BEST places to grab a scrumptious brunch in Manchester. Hampton and Vouis Situated on Princess Street, Hampton and Vouis provides speciality coffee as well as incredible, affordable food. Their menu is inspired by Mediterranean cuisine which focuses on flexitarian eating. You can grab yourself a deliciously healthy granola or açai bowl to start off your day. If this doesn't tickle your tastebuds and you have more of a sweet tooth they have an array of sweet and biscuity pancakes. You can lay your hands on a Jammy Dodger Stack served with vanilla ice cream and juicy berries or you can grab yourself a Lotus biscuit stack, an oreo and peanut butter stack or a bourbon biscuit stack. Spoilt for choice! If none of this satisfies you then you can choose from a variety of poached eggs on toast options. Now the world is beginning to open up and we can OFFICIALLY dine inside so I thought I would share with you the BEST places to grab a scrumptious brunch in Manchester.  Another Heart to Feed They have two cafes situated in both Didsbury and Norther Quarter so no matter where you are in Manchester 'Another Heart to Feed' is always nearby. 'Another Heart to Feed' boasts a wide menu selection catering widely for both vegan and vegetarians. You can grab anything from granola, to a simple bagel, sourdough toast with a variety of different toppings as well as the more alternative breakfast bites such as spiced courgette fritters or bimibap with kimchi. If you are looking for an alternative style of breakfast 'Another Heart to Feed' is your place.  Federal Cafe You can find the Federal Cafe across Manchester, in Northern Quarter, Deansgate and in their coffee cart in Altrincham market. My personal favourite has to be in their quirky joint in Northern Quarter - the staff are lovely and SUPER welcoming, the food is incredible and vibes are unmatched. My two favourites off their menu has to be between the French toast or the Halloumi & Shrooms. The French toast is for a sweeter pallet served with whipped mascarpone, salted caramel, berries and white chocolate and almond crumble. The Halloumi & Shrooms is served with a poached egg and sourdough toast. Truly Scrumptious!  FRESS
Fress is situated in both Didsbury and in the town centre (Oldham Street). As well as serving up the traditional style of breakfast of Full English and smashed avocado, it also serves up an American style breakfast (yum). The American section of the menu ranges from fluffy buttermilk pancakes to hangover chicken waffles. While Fress is a little on the pricey side - it is so worth it! |
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