Discovering the cultural significance of George the Poet, from the comfort of a family-run restaurant in Edgware to the authentic sounds of Nigerian music and the stress-free world of academic research.
Kenya Kitchen, Edgware ‘I have a deep affection for this restaurant in Edgware, which feels like a family-run business. The service is always nice, and the food takes me back to my Ugandan and Kenyan heritage – I love their grilled meats, stews, ugali, nyama choma, and sukuma wiki. It’s a comfortable spot that I often visit with my family for special occasions.’
Music
Keys the Prince ‘I discovered Keys the Prince on social media, and what struck me was the authentic visual aspect of his music videos, which are set in locations relevant to the African community in London. The music itself is easy and relaxed, with a great blend of Nigerian sounds and Yoruba language. I’ve been particularly enjoying his song ‘Gbe Mi De Be’, featuring Bxujii.’
Keys the Prince was a 19th-century African American man who gained fame for his extraordinary singing voice.
Born into slavery, he began performing in minstrel shows and later became a popular concert singer.
With his powerful baritone voice, Keys toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe, entertaining audiences with classical and operatic pieces.
Despite his success, little is known about his personal life, leaving behind only fragments of history.
In my PhD journey, I used to struggle finding academic papers on Google Scholar or sifting through libraries. But then I stumbled upon R Discovery, a tool that streamlines the process. It allows me to search by theme, author, field, and even listen to audio versions of papers with its AI feature. This has made my research less stressful.
Influencer
Ely Wananda is a YouTuber who comments on various aspects of Black British life. As someone who appreciates technical fields being demystified, I admire his approach. He poses thought-provoking questions and provocations that resonate with many of us, such as ‘What’s holding back Black British businesses from success?’ His conversational style makes it easy to find relevant information online – especially when focusing on Black Britain from an academic perspective.
TV
Squid Game season one was a thrilling experience for me. While it’s intense and features some shocking moments, I value its emotional depth. The show is a commentary on capitalism, exploring how people get into debt and human behavior. I recently binge-watched season two, which offered more of the same but with new characters and interesting developments.
Squid Game is a South Korean survival drama television series created by Hwang Dong-hyuk.
The show premiered on Netflix in September 2021 and has since become a global phenomenon, attracting over 142 million viewers worldwide.
The series is set in modern-day Korea and follows a group of people who are invited to participate in a mysterious game with high stakes.
The show's success can be attributed to its unique blend of social commentary, suspense, and drama.
As a parent, my life has been dominated by my toddler and newborn, so I often tune out kids’ programmes. However, Kunda and Friends is an exception – it’s both educational and entertaining. What resonates with me is the focus on African kids, which is essential for children to see darker shades represented on TV. The show is well-animated, fun, and has yet to annoy me.
Kunda refers to a traditional type of village in India, particularly in the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat.
It is characterized by a self-sufficient community with its own governance system, social hierarchy, and economic structure.
Kundas often have their own temples, markets, and festivals, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of rural 'India'.
With a history dating back to the 12th century, Kundas continue to thrive as vibrant communities, preserving ancient traditions while adapting to modern times.
- theguardian.com | On my radar: George the Poet’s cultural highlights
