DON’T SLEEP ON US have hosted events for people of colour to uplift, inspire and learn together. The last event saw 300 folks attend at Rich Mix and this will be their first event back. This is an opportunity to experience connection, solidarity and good vibes once again.
What Just Happened? has been curated as space to hear from community leaders and folks in the room reflect on how the covid crisis has affected our communities and what can be done to provide the correct ongoing support.
In true DON’T SLEEP ON US style, there will be conversations, performances and DJ’s for the afterparty (we will go till 1am).
There’s an Open Mic session where we will hear from the audience to share stories of what just happened to them over the last 1.5 years and any projects they’ve been working on.
Please note: We tend to stand at these events, and some folks sit on the floor but there will be a few chairs dotted around if you require. We are conscious that for many this may be a loud space, and the first time going back to this kind of event, so there will be a quiet room upstairs (The Mezzanine) in case you get overwhelmed at any time or need to access it.
Full lineup below of speakers, Dj’s, performances and exhibition below:
Conversations with Community Leaders:
K Bailey Obazee (she/her) – Founder of PRIM
I’m K Bailey Obazee, Founder and Director of PRIM, a platform for storytelling which also produces OKHA, a monthly queer + Black book club. My focus is storytelling, and in particular ensuring access to storytelling by people of Black ancestry is accessible. PRIM has been awarded a grant and has been curating the Library of Blackness, which alongside books, features wonderfully exclusive audio content. I’ve collaborated with British Vogue, AKO Caine Prize, Arts Council England and been featured in The New York Times. Born a Nigerian and raised in East London, working on building for and with my queer & Black community is numero uno.
Sofia Akel (she/her) – Founder of Free Books Campaign
I’m Sofia Akel, an education activist, researcher and campaigner. Currently I am leading London Metropolitan University’s race equity work for the Centre of Equity and Inclusion. I’ve worked with actor and musician Kano on his short-film/performance ‘Teardrops,’ highlighting the disproportionate deaths of Black people in police custody in the UK. During the pandemic, I founded a community interest company to tackle barriers to accessing books called the Free Books Campaign. The aim of the campaign is to get books by authors of colour to those who cannot access them due to financial or other systemic barriers to access. The campaign is receiving an ever-growing number of book donations from renowned publishers including Canongate, Penguin Random House and 4 th Estate. I’ve been shortlisted for the London Book Fair’s Trailblazer 2021 Awards and signed to The Good Literary Agency in 2021. I was Nominated for Social Activist of the Year 2021 by MBCC Awards. I care about access to literature for communities who need to see themselves represented.
Shiva Raichandani (they/them) – Co-creator of Queer Parivaar
I’m Shiva Raichandani, a non-binary performance artist who focuses on harnessing the power of storytelling to create inclusive spaces, particularly to create positive gender-diverse representation in the media. I was a semi-finalist on Britain’s Got Talent; competed on India’s and France’s Got Talent; delivered a TEDx talk; performed at Cannes Lions and walked the London Queer Fashion Show. I’m now producing a fictional musical film that was crowdfunded called ‘Queer Parivaar’, which is based on an interfaith queer south Asian romance featuring an all-Asian, all-queer cast and crew and also doing a Netflix documentary. Born in Hong Kong, raised in Dubai and Indonesia, educated in India, and currently based in London, I’m an ideal example of a global citizen who’s tapped into many communities.
Nooriyah (she/her)
I’m Nooriyah, an international DJ and radio host, known for playing upbeat popular records infused with sounds from the Arab world. I did videos of me DJ’ing comparing western sounds of timbaland to original arab songs that were sampled. I have occupied the River Stage at the National Theatre, taught DJ classes for women of colour at Foundation FM, and now an international DJ having made her New York and Rotterdam debuts. I’m also a filmmaker, and have explored the themes of culture, gender and home. Currently the Features Editor at AZEEMA magazine, focusing on underrepresented women globally, I care about gender, music and the representation of the MENA cultures and communities.
DJ’s
(during the event and for the afterparty).
Almass Badat (they/she)
I’m Almass. I’m a multidisciplinary Artist specialising in curation, creation & global communication. Principal tools are music (programming, DJ, production & radio broadcast), film (directing & programming) & Education (pastoral care, facilitation, workshop programming) and Arts & Culture (branding, programming and strategy). Notable collaborations include: The London Science Gallery, ICA, Netflix, The London Roundhouse, V&A, & Boiler Room and I’m featured on WorldwideFM, NTS, The Dots, DAZED, the British Council & more. I’m also a board member of the Soho House Committee, a Member of The Voting Academy for The BRIT Awards 2021 and a judge for the British Podcast Awards 2021. You can hear me weekly on What is this Behaviour? and every month on the BBC Asian Network Residency.
DJ Dibs (she/her)
I’m Dibs, a London based DJ & creative coder. I DJ’d at the last DON’T SLEEP ON US event at Rich Mix before the pandemic. I play a mix of Afrobeats, Alté & R&B inspired by my early years growing up in Lagos, Nigeria. I have carved out a reputation for myself on the London scene and worked with brands and nights such as ASOS, HBO, Lovebox, Afropunk festival & Supa Dupa Fly to name a few. When I’m not behind the decks I run ANIM Sessions, a creative tech consultancy and enjoy travelling and making connections across the diaspora.
INFINITESNDS (she/her)
We’re Infinite Sounds – an up and coming black female DJ duo (Nellz and Yehsicca) from South London. Our journey began specialising in hip hop, rnb, afrobeats and dancehall however over the years we have expanded our style to alternative sounds such as baile funk, futuristic beats and eclectic remixes. We’ve performed for a variety of well-established venues around London, from Boxpark to Camden Roundhouse however our main aim is to bring fresh and innovative sounds to everyone. Looking forward to playing on the 4th!
Rohan Rakhit (he/him)
I’m Rohan Rakhit, a London-based actor, DJ, and broadcaster. I’m one of the team members behind the Asian Underground crew Daytimers, and have been featured on stations such as NTS, Rinse FM, Boxout FM & Refuge Worldwide. This summer I’ve been featured on Boiler Room’s first entirely South Asian lineup curated by Yung Singh, and played at Brainchild Festival, with plenty more festival and club bookings coming up in the following year. Sonically, I explore a wide variety of genres with my mixes (everything from early blues to 140 club heaters), whilst also heavily drawing music from my South Asian heritage.
Performances
Solaariss (he/him)
I’m Solaariss, a South London’s multi-instrumentalist who merges orchestral and future beat influences into my music production, creating a unique and robust soundscape. With a rich harmonic flair, my sound encompasses my love for Jazz, Afrobeat, Indie, Gospel and Hip hop. I’m a 22 year old artist, producer & Saxophonist who first started making beats at a youth club on my estate, moving on to later composing for the BBC Concert Orchestra. I then performed in France, Greece and Turkey. With recent performances at the Lovebox festival and Birmingham Symphony Hall I look to use my sound to create a beautiful, emotive and engaging performance.
Exhibition
The Strangers Yearbook
I’m Karimah Hassan (she/her) To fill the void of connection left by the pandemic and the absence of community events, I started ‘The Strangers Yearbook’, at the beginning of the first UK lockdown. It documents how people were feeling during this time of uncertainty. I asked participants to send a selfie and a description of how they were feeling on Instagram, which I would then paint and post online. Each one-a-day, sketchbook painting is an immediate expression of my response to the image and words. The project lives as an ongoing Instagram gallery of more than 150 paintings, and I am continuing to paint one each day as lockdown continues. You’ll get to some of the originals here at Rich Mix.
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We’ve reduced capacity in all of our spaces. Find out more about how we’re keeping you safe.
