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Music

EMERGING ATLANTA ALTERNATIVE R&B SONGSTRESS ARYEÈ THE GEM UNVEILS GLORIOUS NEW SINGLE ‘MIRROR’

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MIRROR’ is the glorious new offering from multi-faceted Atlanta-based singer, songwriter, and vocal producer ARYEÈ THE GEM as she continues to tease towards her highly anticipated debut solo EP arriving later this year via independent label Saint & Citizen Music. To be released on August 4, ‘Mirror’ comes on the back of the success of Aryeè The Gem’s last single ‘To It’, which has nearly amassed one million plays online, and garnered critical acclaim from the likes of Earmilk, Apple Music, ThisIsRnB, Notion Magazine, SoulTracks, and Metal Magazine, among others.

Written by Aryeè The Gem, with production coming from her longtime collaborators Trakmatik (Snoh Aalegra, Keyshia Cole, August Alsina) and Hvstle, ‘Mirror’ sees Aryeè waxing lyrical about getting out of your own way enough to trust yourself and others, and being open to reciprocity and new beginnings. The poignant and emotive track is driven by infectious drum patterns, synth keys, and lush bass guitar arrangements, over which Aryeè shines bright with her beautiful vocal display, rich harmonies and melodies, and captivating songwriting about growth, resilience, and freedom.

Speaking about the inspiration behind ‘Mirror’, Aryeè says, “This song was inspired by the process of growth and development, it reflects my growth, resilience, and newfound freedom. With this song, I honed in on knowing myself and trusting in the path that I’m taking. As I’m moving forward, I’m releasing a lot of things that no longer serve me, and calling in a reflection of love through another person. My intention for this song is to amplify the energy of new beginnings in love and life, while trusting that everything that is unfolding is for my highest good”.

Recommended if you like the sounds of Victoria Monet, Syd, Ari Lennox, or Solange, Milwaukee native Aryeè The Gem comes with a strong passion and love for music that started from a very young age, having been immersed in choirs from elementary school all the way to the collegiate level. With early influences coming from black music legends such as Lauryn Hill, Jill Scott, and Brandy, Aryeè The Gem beautifully merges R&B, soul, hip-hop and indie elements to deliver an eclectic high frequency sound that intersects art and healing through musical expression.

CONNECT WITH ARYEÈ THE GEM

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aryeethegem

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aryeethegem

Website: https://www.aryeethegem.com

Categories
Featured TV and Film

Barbie Beats Oppenheimer to Break the Weekend Box Office 

If you’re internet-savvy, the chances that you’ve not heard of the word “Barbenheimer” is likely to be zero. It is a blend of the titles of two blockbuster films with simultaneous theatrical release dates, Barbie and Oppenheimer. The last few weeks has been filled with a surge of internet buzz around the two movies which were released on July 21, 2023 in the United Kingdom, United States, and several other countries. 

Barbie is the first live-action production of the animated classic children’s movie. Margot Robbie stars as the titular character alongside an ensemble cast of Ryan Gosling, America Ferrera, Issa Rae, Will Ferrell, Kate McKinnon, and Rhea Perlman. The Greta Gerwig-directed movie was promoted with ample marketing efforts in the months leading up to its release. Mattel entered into partnerships with brands including Airbnb, Gap, XBox, Bloomingdale’s to promote the movie. Warner Bros tweeted the first ever Barbie poster in 2022. 

On the other hand, Oppenheimer is a biological thriller film written and directed by 5-time Academy Award nominee, Christopher Nolan. Universal Pictures won a bidding war over Sony, Paramount, and Apple Studios to produce the trending movie after The Dark Knight trilogy filmmaker developed a strained relationship with Warner Bros. 

Peaky Blinders lead actor Cilian Murphy stars J. Robert Oppenheimer, the titular character who was a physicist crucial in developing the first atomic bomb. The movie also has an ensemble cast of Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon, Josh Hartnett, Casey Affleck, Rami Malek, Florence Pugh, and Kenneth Branagh. 

What is the Fuss About?

The two movies explore different themes. While Barbie is a feminist-themed fantasy film, Oppenheimer is a tensely grin thriller. But it’s interesting to note that they share a few similarities. They are both written and directed by Academy Award nominees. Barbie is a journey into Stereotypical Barbie’s (Margot Robbie) adventure in and out of Barbieland, her ambitions, regrets, and fight for a better future. Oppenheimer shares a similar approach. Nolan explores the hero’s hopes, ambitions, and regrets for creating a weapon of mass destruction beyond his control. 

The dual rendering of the two blockbusters at cinemas got the highest gross opening in the UK since 2019, after the COVID-19 pandemic forced the world to sit at home. 

A cinema chain Vue International recorded over 500,000 customers on the weekend alone. The chief executive officer Tim Richards said “We knew it was going to be a big weekend based on the advanced bookings, which were also the biggest since the pandemic.” Richards further confirmed that almost 20% of people who bought a ticket for Oppenheimer also did so for Barbie. 

Barbie was projected to gross between $90-$120 million in its opening weekend, while Oppenheimer was projected to average $45-50 million in their opening weekends. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that both films exceeded box office expectations considering the massive wave of influence the Barbenheimer brand has wielded in the last few months.

What Did They Make?

Barbie and Oppenheimer had a weekend debut of £29.4 million ($37.6 million) in the UK and Ireland combined. Barbie did £18.5 million ($23.8 million) while Oppenheimer grossed £10.8 million ($13.8 million). 

In the United States and Canada, the movies grossed more than $10 million each in their Thursday preview. Barbie did $22.3 million and Oppenheimer grossed $10.5 million, which has never happened for two previews of movies released in the same weekend. This led to the increase of the weekend projections to $160 million and $77 million respectively. By the end of the weekend, Barbie grossed $162 million and Oppenheimer did $82 million in the US and Canada alone. 

Barbie and Oppenheimer grossed a combined amount of $511 million dollars worldwide over the weekend. They did $337 million and $174 million respectively, with the pink-themed film grossing almost double of the biopic’s revenue. Barbie marked Greta Gerwig’s highest grossing opening weekend in the US since her movie Little Woman did $16.8 million. Oppenheimer is Nolan’s third highest grossing worldwide opening weekend ever. His movie The Dark Knight Rises did $249 million while The Dark Knight came behind with $198 million. 

Surprisingly, the two blockbusters are not considered rivals but complimentary movies. Reports show that Oppenheimer had extra ticket sales in its opening weekend because Barbie tickets sold out fast in cinemas across the world. In the US, it is estimated that $4.98 million of Oppenheimer’s $82.4 million box office sales came from Barbie remnants. 

In conclusion, it is safe to say the juxtaposition of the films created the box office magic we see today, otherwise known as the Barbenheimer phenomenon. While it remains to be seen that the movies continue to shatter box office expectations, we urge you to check them out to determine if the hype is well worth it.

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Featured

Battle of the Billionaires: Zuck Strikes the First Blow with Threads

The epic battle between Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk has invaded the internet over the last three weeks. This hasn’t come as a surprise to most insiders and general onlookers, as the battle has been brewing for a while now. Both men had been subtly taunting and throwing shades at each other, but very few saw the direction it would take next.

How Did This Happen?

It started on June 21, 2023, when the Twitter owner tweeted about his willingness to engage Zuck in a cage fight. In response, the 39-year-old Meta CEO took to his Instagram story and posted Musk’s tweet with the caption, “Send me location.” 

The media thought it was just banter until Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) president Dana White revealed that he received a text from the billionaire Meta CEO asking about Musk’s true intentions for the fight. Dana reached Elon Musk, who confirmed he wasn’t bluffing and was ready for a real man-to-man showdown. Meta’s spokesperson Iska Saric also verified that the battle lines have been drawn, and there is no backing down. 

The two billionaires are fierce tech rivals who have criticized each other over the years, with Zuck making snide remarks about SpaceX and Musk mocking Meta’s data privacy scandals. Physical combat between the tech heavyweights will be historic. The late Apple ex-CEO Steve Jobs and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates used to throw verbal shots at each other, but it never escalated into physical combat. 

How Has it Gone So Far?

On Wednesday, July 5, 2023, Mark Zuckerberg introduced Threads, a direct Twitter competition, to the world. Although he hinted at his plans for the app three months ago, no one envisioned it would come at a time like this. But what better time to kick your competition than when he is down? It is no news that Elon Musk has been taking the heat recently for his management of Twitter. With the exit of core team members in November 2022, the Twitter Blue saga, and the introduction of daily tweet limits, the billionaire has not been in the good books of many social media users. 

Threads started with a bang as over 10 million users signed up to the platform in the first seven hours, with the numbers skyrocketing to a whopping 30 million by the morning of Thursday. The Meta CEO took to his Threads account and expressed his joy. 

Threads is an app from Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. It is available on iOS and Android and has a text-based feed like Twitter. Messages posted to Threads have a 500-character limit. In contrast, the Bird app has a 280-character limit for primary users but up to 4000 for Twitter Blue subscribers. 

Threads users can repost, quote, and reply to other posts. The app is synced to a user’s Instagram account, allowing sharing posts directly to Instagram Stories via Threads. Verified Instagram accounts are automatically verified on Threads. Accounts can be listed as public or private. But DMs are not available on Threads. 

The similarities between Threads and Twitter have caused an uproar on social media. DogeDesigner, a Musk faithful, clowned the lack of originality of Meta’s latest app and tweeted a meme to signify that the team simply copied and pasted. Elon Musk responded with a laughter emoji, leading to more war of words between the billionaires. 

The story gets even more fascinating with Elon Musk’s lawyer Alex Spiro sending a cease and desist letter to the Meta CEO. The letter claims that Meta stole Twitter’s intellectual property to create Threads. It also accused Zuckerberg of hiring several ex-Twitter employees who still had some illegal Twitter documents and electronics in their possession. It is also worthy of note that Threads is not available to European Union (EU) countries because of a data and privacy protection policy Meta is yet to agree to. 

What is Next?

Many people have expressed concern over Threads, with several questions flying in the air, whether it will genuinely be the end of Twitter or is just another case of shiny object syndrome. Then there is also the possibility of legal action from Elon to Zuck.

While the answers remain to be seen, Twitter’s backlash over the last few months makes it vulnerable, but trust time to tell who delivers the winning knockout. 

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Categories
Events Featured Music

Glastonbury Festival 2023: The Highlights

The 53-year-old event, dubbed “UK’s biggest musical festival,” was filled with drama, stage shocks, and huge surprises. Glastonbury’s gate flung open on Wednesday, 21 June 2023, and welcomed over 210,000 people who trooped into Somerset’s Worthy Farm to experience the anticipated occasion’s glitz, glam, and glory. 

Here are seven highlights from the event before the curtains closed on Sunday, 25 June 2023.

The Churnups? What The Hell!

Mystery band, The Churnups were announced as headliners, leaving speculations on their identity. But the atmosphere roared with life when Dave Grohl came on stage and revealed The Foo Men as the missing piece of the puzzle. The band’s frontman dedicated their last song on the setlist, Everlong, to their deceased drummer, Taylor Hawkins, and introduced Josh Freese as his replacement. Friday night also saw performances from Arctic Monkeys, Kelis, and Guns N’ Roses.

Blimey! Is that Cate Blanchett?

Two-time Oscar award-winning actress Cate Blanchett got the crowd wild on Friday night when she appeared on stage with US pop duo Sparks. Glastonbury has a reputation for pulling off surprises, but no one was ready for the 54-year-old Australian superstar dressed in a yellow suit and buzzing with vigour. Sparks performed “This Girl Is Crying In Her Latte” while Cate replicated her energetic dance routine in the song’s music video. 

Confession Time With Lewis Capaldi

Scottish singer Lewis Capaldi announced his struggles with Tourette’s syndrome in September 2022. While singing his final song, the worldwide hit “Someone You Loved,” on Saturday, the 26-year-old pop artiste lost his voice in an emotional atmosphere. He took the backseat, allowing the crowd to fill in for him as his band played the outro, signifying an end to his one-hour set. On Tuesday, the singer announced an indefinite break from touring to focus on his health. 

Headliner Lana Del Rey Cut Short On Set

Lana Del Rey’s performance at the Glastonbury Festival got cut short after she arrived 30 minutes late on Saturday. The technical crew muted the 38-year-old’s mic before she could perform anticipated tracks like “Summertime Sadness.” But the fans protested and sang “Video Games” a capella, while the critically acclaimed American songwriter joined them just in time before security led her off stage. 

Jacob Collier Brings The Church To Town 

English multi-instrumentalist Jacob Collier led the audience at the West Holts Stage on a soulful rendition of Queen’s “Somebody To Love.” He split the crowd of 30,000 into various sections and directed them to sing in different harmonies, waving his hands like a skilful choir director to signify unison, change in keys, and up and down scales. The 28-year-old Jazz singer was left dumbfounded at the magical result and thanked the audience for being unbelievable and surreal.

Debbie Harry Shows Up In Style

On Sunday, the 77-year-old lead vocalist of the ‘70s band Blondie rocked the Glastonbury Festival in an all-black mini dress. Debbie Harry paired the dress with a black jacket and a black inner t-shirt. She also wore dark visor sunglasses to match her striking outfit and started her performance with the band’s smash hit “One Way Or Another.” However, some online and onsite viewers complained that they couldn’t hear the American rock legend.

Elton John Bows Out Gracefully 

On Sunday, Sir Elton John came out in a gold suit and delivered an impeccable performance on what may be his last gig at Glastonbury. With hits upon hits like “Rocket Man,” “Tiny Dancer,” and “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” the 76-year-old British legend didn’t disappoint, taking the audience on a nostalgic ride into every era of his 50-plus-year career. 

John was joined on stage by Brandon Flowers, Stephen Sanchez, Jacob Lusk, and movie debutante Rina Sawayama. The Beatles legend Paul McCartney watched from the wings as the singer dedicated his single “Don’t Go Down On Me” to his deceased friend, British legend George Michael who would have turned 60 on Sunday. 

These were the memorable events of the just concluded festival. Early this week, organisers Michael and Emily Eavis confirmed that there would be Glastonbury 2024 when they shared a picture on Twitter with the words “See you in 366 days”. Although the dates are not confirmed, we look forward to more surprises as we anticipate next year’s event. 

Categories
Travel

5 Must-See Destinations In Europe by Toren On Tour

Good Morning, Afternoon & Evening to you all! It’s your boy Toren on Tour here to provide you guys with one thing – A go-to guide for where to travel and where to be in Europe this year, specifically for young black travellers and holiday goers looking to experience new places and have a great time whilst doing so! Whether you’re looking to unwind, explore or immerse yourselves in what Europe as a continent has to offer, I can guarantee that there’s something for everyone in this travel guide.

As you read through, I am going in-depth with five locations across Europe that are must-visit destinations. Some are hot spots, others are for those who love to hear about a nation’s history, whilst a few are usually favoured in the warmer seasons. However, what all have in common are their distinct cultural identities, beautiful in their unique ways and most importantly are places I deem safe, suitable and sealed with the stamp of approval from your boy who is always touring!

1. Madrid, Spain
Madrid is a beautiful city and one thing that stands out for me about Spain’s capital is that it is a ‘rooftop’ city. Many of its bars, hotels and even restaurants provide scenic views for you to see Madrid’s landscape, stunning both day and night. I travelled to Madrid last year for a weekend Baecation, and it did not disappoint one bit! The city is extremely welcoming to tourists and as a black traveller, I felt comfortable, at ease and ultimately like I was at home away from home. Madrid offers some of the best tourist activities with the option of being able to go on a hot air balloon ride in Segovia, which is an hour’s drive away from the city centre where I stayed. The Sangria at literally every restaurant and bar was 10/10 and was my go-to drink 90% of the time! One activity that you have to make time for whilst in Madrid, is to go to a Flamenco Show! Flamenco shows are a combination of singing, music and dance and are a major part of Spanish culture and entertainment. Lastly, for those who love nature and scenic walks, El Retiro Park is a must-visit. El Retiro is a public park in Spain that previously belonged to the Spanish Monarchy up until the late 19th century. The park consists of many statues, monuments, a lake and galleries from time to time. Madrid is perfect for a weekend getaway and can be done as a solo trip, a couples getaway or one to travel to with a group of friends. With its offering of cultural activities, rooftop bars, nightlife and home to one of the greatest teams in the world Real Madrid – there is something for everybody! The weather is usually warm in the capital even through September and early October when prices tend to be a little cheaper!



2. Split, Croatia
Croatia is a beautiful country with beautiful people and even better vibes! Upon journeying to Croatia when I travelled there a few years back, I was very aware that Croatia ultimately did not have any form of black community/population whatsoever. Although I was aware that in previous years Croatia had been host to a range of music festivals including Fresh Island & Outlook Festival, with quite a few of my friends having visited the country beforehand and giving positive reviews. Split is a phenomenal city, from its architecture and small market villages to its peaceful beaches. The locals in Croatia are extremely helpful and friendly and the food is second to none (I can only speak for Split though, don’t hold me accountable for the rest of the country!). One of the stand-out experiences that Croatia has to offer was a tour of Krka National Park that came with Wine tasting and food. The Park is massive and boasts waterfalls, plant life and the chance to go on a boat excursion – which I would highly recommend! I tried Octopus for the first time and met a lovely older couple who were also on holiday at the time. Croatia is an undiscovered gem, especially for black travellers as it’s not considered a desired destination, but it is worth a trip! The weather from spring into late September/October is usually warm and flights are going for as cheap as £52 in June. Depending on when you go it’s perfect for a mixed group holiday, as well as a couples holiday. 

[Krka National Park – Taken By Toren in 2018]

3. Malta
Malta, Malta! The place to be, especially for black travellers and holiday goers in their 20s I’d say in the last 2 years or so. Malta has quietly become a party destination for many events over the last few years, including the likes of DLT, with the event having had its second Malta offering this year and already putting the dates out for its third. I must say the most recent DLT was one for the ages – a movie! Malta is known for its picturesque landscapes, many of which are used as film locations. It’s also a perfect spot for seafood lovers as the country is big on seafood, due to it being surrounded by water, although it is also big on pizza and pasta due to its proximity to Italy and many Italians living in the country. However, a side note after having visited last week is that a lot of the country is underdeveloped, especially its buildings and roads, to my surprise, but the food, nightlife and activities make up for it! Malta uses Euros as its currency, but when doing my research and speaking to those that have travelled to Malta within the last year, the cost of living is considerably low and your money can stretch further than the usual European destinations, I’m talking €4.50 cocktails, you can’t complain! Malta is suitable for those who want to have a good time, but also experience fine dining and relaxation – with 35 Michelin-star restaurants located on the island! Finally, a big bonus for my U.K. travellers is that the Maltese drive on the same side as us – a rare find for European countries.

[A picture of Blue Lagoon in Malta sourced via Malta Paradise]

4. Paris, France
Paris, the capital of France and one of the ‘litest’ cities in Europe if we’re ranking nightlife, vibes and culture, especially for black folk. For many Black Londoners Paris feels like a home away from home – it has a similar feel, and a heavy black population (just take a look at the French national team). The Eurostar makes the journey feel like a breeze, with flights to Paris also a viable option. Paris at night is a beautiful city, simply going for walks along the River Seine and getting to see the Eiffel light up at night can make your trip worth it. Buddha Bar is a restaurant I’d recommend for a 5-star pan Asian dish. One thing I must say is that you haven’t had a French fry until you’ve had a FRENCH FRY! Even down to the fries in McDonald’s, they just hit differently out there! Paris specifically has a massive African Community, for reasons we won’t go into today, but you can feel the influence in the clubs and via French music with the likes of Aya Nakamura, Koba LaD & MHD. A visit to Disneyland for those who have kids or those that want to relive their early childhoods is worth a trip & and for football fans and most importantly those that want to see the likes of Mbappe & Neymar, some of the world’s best. A ticket to watch PSG at Parc Des Princes is very attainable. Ultimately Paris is a must-do and 100% recommendation for young black travellers. Whether you go on a solo trip, as a group, with family or on a couples holiday, you can cater your trip to the city of love for your palette.


[Champs Elysees – Taken by Toren in January 2023]

5. The Greek Islands
Last, but not least Greece & It’s Islands! Santorini & Mykonos are the two ‘high-end’ Greek islands. The two are usually deemed honeymoon destinations due to their notable list of 5-Star Hotels. I took a trip to Zante a few years back to mark my anniversary and it was most definitely a trip to remember! The Greek islands gave a similar vibe to Split in that the locals were extremely friendly and welcoming, especially the hotel staff and tour guides when it came to excursions. The Greek Islands are where you go for relaxation and rejuvenation. A holiday to unwind and destress, however, what I loved about my trip is that with one side of Zante came the beaches, restaurants, clear oceans and great weather, but on the other side of the island there was a strip – full of bars, clubs and arcade style street games. A thumbs up for black travellers as a holiday to look forward to. One thing I will say is to look into the islands and decide which island is the right one for you! Each has its own identity and features, whilst some are more expensive than others, however no matter the island – for the majority of the year you can guarantee good weather, good food and a good time!

[A picture of Santorini sourced via TripAdvisor]

There we have it people. 5 destinations for black travellers and holiday goers to visit in Europe. These all have the Toren on Tour stamp of approval and are one’s to add to your bucket list for 2023 and beyond! If any of you do manage to take a trip, let us know what you thought and give your boy a shout with your trip highlight. Until next time, stay touring!

Words by: Toren on Tour – @Tor9n

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Categories
Music

Central Cee x Dave ‘Sprinter’

Central Cee x Dave ‘Sprinter’ released last night. The long-awaited moment that fans have been eagerly anticipating has finally arrived! Central Cee and Dave, two influential British artists, have unveiled their latest masterpiece, “Sprinter,” a fresh and exciting collaboration that is sure to make waves in the music industry.

Both Central Cee and Dave have established themselves as some of the UK’s most prominent talents, having successfully propelled the distinct UK sound to global recognition. This collaboration between these two titans is nothing short of monumental and marks an extraordinary day for the entire music scene.

The creation of “Sprinter” involved a talented team of individuals including Jo Caleb, Jonny Leslie, Jim Legxacy, TR, Kyle Evans, and Dave himself, who is also known as Santan. With such an impressive lineup of producers, it comes as no surprise that the production of “Sprinter” exudes exceptional quality, meeting and surpassing the high expectations we have for these accomplished artists.

Now, it’s time to experience the brilliance of “Sprinter” for yourself. Listen to the track above and allow its captivating melodies and thought-provoking lyrics to immerse you in a musical journey like no other. Get ready to be swept away by the sheer talent and creativity that Central Cee and Dave bring to the table with this incredible collaboration.

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Interview Music

Madi Saskia: The hometown hero

Madi Saskia: The hometown hero. Born in the late ’90s and based in Smethwick, Madi Saskia is an exciting talent emerging from Birmingham’s creative scene. Influenced by Jhené Aiko, Erykah Badu, and Marsha Ambrosius, her style combines socially conscious lyrics with an R’n’B flair. 

With just under six years of music-making under her belt, Saskia has launched her own event called “Madi’s Lean Up Ting,” aiming to spotlight misunderstood and overlooked artists. Giving Madi Saskia the title of ‘hometown hero’. She is undeniably an artist to watch in the coming years.

Madi Saskia’s music blends socially conscious themes with soulful R’n’B melodies. Drawing inspiration from influential artists, her songs delve into societal issues, personal experiences, and deep emotions, reflecting her commitment to meaningful music.

The future holds great promise for Madi Saskia as she prepares to release her debut project. Her distinctive blend of socially conscious lyrics and R’n’B influences continues to captivate audiences, positioning her as an emerging force. With her talent and dedication to highlighting overlooked artists, Saskia is set to make a significant impact not only within the local music scene but also on a broader scale.

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Community Featured LGBTQ Self Care

Online Dating and Accessibility for the Disabled and LGBTQ+ Community

Recent research by Stanford University has shown that online dating is considered one of the most popular ways to meet a new partner, and many people even use internet dating as a way to make platonic friends.

Online dating apps and websites make the world of romance easier to dive into than ever before, especially if you’re one of the 11 million people in the UK with a disability.

Reports claim 1 in 5 relationships now begin online, and over 20% of the UK population has at least one dating app installed on their mobile device. Pew Research states that 59% of adults feel dating online is the best way to meet new people. These figures have increased dramatically in the past 10 years, rising by nearly 31%. And today, there are in excess of 1,500 dating apps available to download.

The rise of mobile apps and the casual nature of online dating has likely had the biggest impact on these adults’ perceptions. But, while online dating can feel like the most accessible way to find a partner for many people, is this still the case for marginalised communities?


Online Dating When You’re Disabled

Since internet dating first burst onto the scene, it seems to have become more accessible for those of us with disabilities. Slowly but surely, the inclusivity of online dating websites and apps is improving. And some sites, like Disabled People Date, dedicate themselves solely to the community.

This is, in part down, to the significant growth of the industry, but also a result of heightened awareness and representation of disabled people in the media.

And while online dating as a disabled person still comes with its struggles, there’s no doubt it’s getting easier.

Telling Your Date You Have a Disability

One of the biggest dilemmas those of us with disabilities face when dipping our toes into the world of online dating is whether to disclose our disabilities to prospective dates.

In this case, making the perfect profile is less about getting the lighting right on selfies, struggling to find your best side and coming up with the funniest jokes or most pertinent facts for your bio, and more about wondering whether and when you should reveal you disability.

Going on a date without disclosing your disability to your date can cause feelings of anxiety and worry. Depending on the nature of your disability, it may affect where you go or how long that date lasts. So, if you plan to meet someone you’ve matched in ‘real-life’, revealing this information beforehand may help ease some anxiety. However, you should only do so if you feel safe and comfortable.

LGBT online dating
Dating as an LGBT Disabled Person

Similarly, over the last few years, the accessibility of online dating for LGBT people, disabled or not, has come on leaps and bounds. Revealing you’re gay, bisexual or transgender, as well as disabled, is no longer something you have to do yourself, as most dating apps give you the ability to set your preferences and display your pronouns.

Dating apps have also made finding other LGBT people to date far more accessible than traditional routes. All across the world, gay bars and clubs are closing due to the Covid Pandemic and increased rent prices. Therefore there’s one less way to meet other LGBTQ+ people, giving people another reason to turn to internet dating.

The Future of Online Dating

It isn’t just white, cis-gendered, heterosexual and able-bodied people who date. Black and minority ethnic, LGBT and disabled people are all looking for love too. It is, therefore, so incredibly important that online dating websites and apps continue to make their platforms feel inclusive to everyone.

With the ability to add your identity to your profile and report negative experiences, dating sites are already making an effort to be more welcoming to everyone. And while these features and developments have gone a long way, there remain many more steps that dating platforms need to take.

For example, given the awkwardness sometimes experienced when disclosing a disability, it may make sense for online dating apps to offer a selection of pre-written explanations or conversation starters that can be used to get your match talking about your impairments.

They could also expand the list of LGBT identities to choose from in an effort to accommodate how people wish to identify.

The online dating industry grows by approximately 3.9% each year, meaning these platforms will welcome many more marginalised people from across all walks of life. So they better be ready for them.

Categories
LGBTQ Music

The Evolution of Lynks: In Conversation With Chapter Z

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column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text el_class=”article-title”]

The Evolution of Lynks

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text el_class=”article-byline”][simple-author-box][/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]

One of the most propulsive names on the London music scene, Lynks sat down with Chapter Z to talk about their blossoming career and how the birth of their masked drag identity helped them realise more of themself.

[/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”100″][nectar_single_testimonial testimonial_style=”bold” color=”Default” quote=”Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.”” name=”Oscar Wilde”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”9120″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][vc_custom_heading text=”Lynks wearing custom denim by DR.CREATUR3 //
Photography: Connor Egan //
Styling: DR.CREATUR3 //
Set Design: DR.CREATUR3 //
Production: Henry Tolley” font_container=”tag:h6|font_size:14px|text_align:left|color:%23707070″ use_theme_fonts=”yes” el_class=”image-caption”][vc_widget_sidebar sidebar_id=”woocommerce-sidebar”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”9126″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][vc_custom_heading text=”Lynks wearing custom denim by DR.CREATUR3 //
Photography: Connor Egan //
Styling: DR.CREATUR3 //
Set Design: DR.CREATUR3 //
Production: Henry Tolley” font_container=”tag:h6|font_size:14px|text_align:left|color:%23707070″ use_theme_fonts=”yes” el_class=”image-caption”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]For the majority of us, being intermittently confined to our homes for the past two years has been pretty damn dry. Apart from discovering aptitudes for crocheting and failing to make our own seitan, lockdown had our wings well and truly clipped.

However, increased time to ourselves catalysed something productive for some. Lynks, a psychology student turned alchemist of experimental sounds, enjoyed a boom in their online popularity since the beginning of the pandemic. 

I had time to reassess my look and really up my social media game,” the 24-year-old tells me. Lynks following has grown to over 11K on Instagram, up from a couple of thousand before the pandemic hit. While follower count is by no means a sole measure of success, it is a testament to the growing notoriety of their music.

This growth in followers didn’t help my mental health over lockdown. Needless to say; it was tough for us all.” Reminiscing on a time when concerts were cancelled, it’s clear this took its toll.

Lynks was born as a live act and I really missed that; the stage is where I make my best work. I love to perform.” After finding their desired stage persona during university, performing has been the primary way for Lynks to find creative catharsis. This is unsurprising as a Lynks show is truly a spectacle, with the artist donning avant-garde and downright bizarre outfits that dazzle crowds.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]Since restrictions have been lifted, however, it seems that the joy of performing has flooded back for the young, gimp-suited maestro.

Being able to perform and finally translate the increase in Instagram followers to something tangible has been incredible.” Lynks has enjoyed a prolific year, completing their first tour and bringing their ‘weird alt-electronic gimp-pop Zumba class’ to Mighty Hoopla, Standon Calling, Green Man, Reading, and Download festivals to name a few.

Not to mention the fact that their sonic potpourri of a discography earned them not one, but two spots on the most recent Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes album. “The recording for Frank Carter was all done remotely from the basement of my house. It was great – very much a surprise! I got an email from my manager saying, ‘Lynks, Frank Carter wants you on their song and you have until the end of the week – can you do it?’ I said f*** yeah. I really tapped into something to produce that.”

I performed with them at Reading which was both a brilliant and strange experience. Moving through crowds of 16/17-year-olds on various different substances, them all looking not even past you but through you was a… unique experience

It was like playing a game of Space Invaders. I had had enough of 16-year-olds slapping me as I walked past. I didn’t stay to camp the night, put it that way. But being on stage with Frank Carter was absolutely insane.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”9128″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][vc_custom_heading text=”Lynks wearing custom denim by DR.CREATUR3 //
Photography: Connor Egan //
Styling: DR.CREATUR3 //
Set Design: DR.CREATUR3 //
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tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”padding-1-percent” column_padding_tablet=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_phone=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”right” bottom_margin=”2%” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”9133″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”center” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][vc_custom_heading text=”Lynks wearing their own handmade outfit //
Photography: Connor Egan //
Production: Henry Tolley” font_container=”tag:h6|font_size:14px|text_align:left|color:%23707070″ use_theme_fonts=”yes” el_class=”image-caption”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”padding-1-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”left” bottom_margin=”2%” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]Performing at Latitude festival in 2021 was also a real highlight for Lynks, being greeted by a roaring crowd – some of whom attended as fans, but all certainly left as. “It was amazing. We couldn’t see the audience before we went out on stage and when we did, we were like what the f***. That was an amazing feeling. Seeing people in the crowd singing along to your lyrics is crazy.”

Alongside the thrill of performing, as a drag persona, ‘Lynks’ has afforded the artist beneath freedom of creative expression for the past few years. But before the stylish demon-clown persona was spawned, an entirely different artist tread the boards of Bristolian stages. “My music before Lynks was more…James Blake-esque. By that I mean me being surrounded by an obnoxious pile of keyboards that I wouldn’t actually play, in front of a crowd that wasn’t actually listening.”

At a friend’s party, I performed as Lynks and it was very much intended as a drag act. I’d written these songs that were meant to be funny and the production to be dumb. My friend came up to me afterwards and said, ‘Why is the production of your Lynks music so much cooler than your usual stuff?’ I was like, ‘What… I made this in 5 seconds.’

I realised that the intention of being silly and tongue-in-cheek actually enabled me to make the music that comes naturally to me. Before I had been thinking about what music was meant to sound like and I ended up badly impersonating other musicians.”

After performing a few more drag shows and producing around 8 of these new, ‘sillier’ songs, Lynks felt it was time to try a full-length show in this style. “That first show was in London, at Off the Cuff, themed like a fragrance launch because at that time I was still called Lynks Afrikka. I sold little bottles of mock-fragrance that were actually spray-bottles of Buckfast. My own way of being able to provide drinks at a club![/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” top_padding=”1%” text_align=”left”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”padding-1-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”right” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]The difference between these shows and my old ones was crazy. After seeing the audience laughing and dancing at my Lynks shows, I thought, ‘There’s no going back now.’ It was infinitely more satisfying than my other music.”

Lynks says that at that point in their career, many of the people in the crowd were their supportive friends, as is often the case with new talent. Nonetheless, before they donned the persona of ‘Lynks,’ they would still get nervous. “Before, I never had that euphoric performance feeling – I always felt very self-conscious, overly aware of how I looked and how I was behaving. Should I be smiling between songs? Should I be talking to the audience more? Things like that.

Speaking to the singer, they reflected that their feelings of self-consciousness and hyper-self-awareness are quite common for queer people. “When I was at school I was considered ‘unpopular’ for quite a long time, until around sixth form. There was a clear switch for me when I realised that I could just fake it; I could act how everyone else expected me to act. I started doing that more and it started to work. When I realised I could assimilate and code-switch in my day-to-day life, it became the norm.

When being popular at school is the most important thing in your life to make each day bearable, it seems like a worthwhile thing to do. Sadly, when you grow up, it becomes something hard to unlearn. I realised that I struggled to consistently pinpoint what my sense of self was.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”padding-1-percent” column_padding_tablet=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_phone=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”left” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”9134″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][vc_custom_heading text=”Lynks wearing their own handmade outfit //
Photography: Connor Egan //
Production: Henry Tolley” font_container=”tag:h6|font_size:14px|text_align:left|color:%23707070″ use_theme_fonts=”yes” el_class=”image-caption”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” top_padding=”2%” text_align=”left”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”padding-1-percent” column_padding_tablet=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_phone=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”right” bottom_margin=”2%” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”9135″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”center” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][vc_custom_heading text=”Lynks wearing their own handmade outfit //
Photography: Connor Egan //
Production: Henry Tolley” font_container=”tag:h6|font_size:14px|text_align:left|color:%23707070″ use_theme_fonts=”yes” el_class=”image-caption”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”padding-1-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”left” bottom_margin=”2%” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]Assimilation into the default heteronormative nature of society is common among queer people. It is a survival technique that Lynks tells me they learned all too well, and that performing helped them unlearn. “As soon as I performed as Lynks with my mask on, I felt liberated. Being a strange, masked gimp-creature meant that any expectations of how I should behave were removed. You can’t f*** it up, because you’re being you and it’s in your control.

Before doing Lynks, I’d watched too much RuPaul’s Drag Race and had certain ideas of how to behave in drag. I was being very grand and diva-ish. I didn’t have the full gimp mask look then either; I had a heavy face of makeup.

That was another sort of character and I realised eventually that I don’t need to do that either. I can wear a mask, take the brakes off and let my personality run wild. I found that that was much better; the audience and me were both having more fun. I thought, ‘This is probably what my personality actually is.’

A beautifully ironic story, it would seem, that donning a completely new character and persona would lead to the discovery of one’s true self. Lynks’ journey is one that many of us queers can only hope to embark on by such glamourous means.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” bottom_padding=”5%” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yIwD63P3tQ” el_aspect=”43″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]Hearing in their voice how much joy and self-confidence Lynks’ stage persona has brought them, I wanted to know if they could spare any advice for others. They said: “We are constantly being told by society to ‘just be ourselves but that’s not always easy for queer people. We spend our teen years trying on different personalities for size and you become so good at switching that you can lose the real you.

So…to sum up, everyone should wear gimp masks! No no, for real though, we think of art as a pure reflection of ourselves but it’s very easy to end up straying from yourself. For me it was a gimp mask and a drag persona; for others, it’ll be something completely different. But we can use art to help us realise our identity, or find it again.

With talent oozing from behind that mask and a thoughtful head on those shoulders, Lynks is one to watch. As their lyrics say, they are Miss Havisham and they’ve got great expectations. 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Categories
Featured Leader Music

Toya Delazy in Conversation with Chapter Z

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Toya Delazy in Conversation with Chapter Z

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Toya Delazy embodies all things Zulu culture has to offer, the Kwa-Zulu Natal native is at the forefront of a modernised sound; to which she amalgamates South African traditions with “Afro-rave”  techno beats.

It’s almost easy to day Toya is in her own lane; even easier to say Toya has begun to sow the seeds that she planted years before the South Africa 2021 hype was rife. The east-London based artist’s sonic sound has already dropped gems such as ‘Find Di Boy’ and ‘Funani’. Her latest EP Afro Wave Vol.1 takes influence from Gqom but incorporates a sonically heavier techno. Her military commander stance on this genre demands attention, while her fierce fashion image turns heads. This week, we got to know the idiosyncratic Toya as we picked her brain on how her musical jukebox began.

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text el_class=”article-byline, popmake-teddy-profile”]

by Thandie Sibanda

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][nectar_single_testimonial testimonial_style=”bold” color=”Default” quote=”When I make music I explore love, empowerment, quietness, power and balance.”][vc_column_text]CZ: Who is Toya Delazy? Please describe yourself in a few sentences.

T: I’m an eclectic afrorave futurist, living to transform not confirm.

 

CZ: How did the movement start?

T: 1990 dawg, the day I came out the womb! But OK, enough being cute, I started playing piano aged 9 and started doing music professionally in 2011. In 2018 I found so much power in my precolonial African history and it inspired me to share my culture with others and share the energy through rave.

 

CZ: Was there a particular song growing up that made you want to make music? 

T: Definitely “Idioteque” by Radiohead.

 

CZ: What themes did you explore when making music?

T: Love, empowerment, quietness, power and balance.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][image_with_animation image_url=”7408″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][vc_custom_heading text=”Photo of Toya Delazy” font_container=”tag:h6|font_size:14px|text_align:left|color:%23707070″ use_theme_fonts=”yes” el_class=”image-caption”][divider line_type=”No Line” 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custom_height=”30″][vc_raw_js]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[/vc_raw_js][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text]CZ: Can fans expect any exciting future collaborations or do you some dream collaborations?

T: Yes definitely, I’m talking to South Africa Lemon and Herb, Unticipated Soundz, Dj Thackzin. Another dream collaboration would be Kanye West.

CZ: Where are you from? Let’s paint the picture, tell me about growing up in your ends?

T: I am from Zululand, South Africa, in a village called Mahlabathini. Zululand, as you can tell by the name, is where us Zulus are from. There are over 12 million Zulus! Growing up Zululand was a culturally saturated experience but due to the religions brought into the continent I was raised extremely conservative. But where I am from is beautiful, lush and mostly sunny – it’s a beautiful place.

Pick the following tracks: 

A song for wash day:
“Splash Splash” – Bobby Darin

A song to calm your nerves:
“Claire Delune” – Debuts

A song that you wish you’d have produced/written:
“Idioteque” – Radiohead[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” bottom_padding=”2%” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” bottom_margin=”2%” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][image_with_animation image_url=”7410″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”center” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][vc_custom_heading text=”Photo of Toya Delazy” font_container=”tag:h6|font_size:14px|text_align:center|color:%23707070″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text]CZ: What themes did you explore in your latest single?

T: Reinvention and transformation.

 

CZ: Who inspires your sound, let’s build a house, who is the blueprint?

T: Miriam Makeba, especially her song Mama.

 

CZ: When looking for you on social streaming platforms what genre would I find you in?

T: AFRORAVE which I created and is by definition an unapologetically African genre, celebrating our indigenous languages through rave, left-field bass, techno and DnB.

 

CZ: Who’s your favourite producer?

T: It has to be, Mxshi.

CZ: What are you currently listening to?

T: I couldn’t tell you, honestly! I listen to so much on Spotify and just hit like when I dig it – I love to discover![/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][image_with_animation image_url=”7411″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”center” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][vc_custom_heading text=”Photo of Toya Delazy” font_container=”tag:h6|font_size:14px|text_align:center|color:%23707070″ use_theme_fonts=”yes” el_class=”image-caption”][vc_raw_js]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[/vc_raw_js][divider line_type=”No Line”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]