Cambridge Live works with Romsey Mill to provide support act for Criolo

Tuesday 5 April 2016

Image: some of the boys performing at Rapademic at Cambridge Junction last year

On Thursday 21 April, Brazilian hip-hop artist Criolo will be performing at the Cambridge Junction as part of Cambridge Live’s cornex:discover, a series of events which encourages audiences to venture beyond the mainstream. Cambridge Live has teamed up with Romsey Mill, the Cambridge-based charity which works with children and young people, to provide the support act for Criolo’s show.

Criolo is politically and culturally motivated, a rapper whose voice resounds with the youth of post-slump, pre-Olympic Brazil, exploring stories of poverty, police violence and social discrimination. Cambridge Junction is the first venue in his first UK tour, which goes on throughout April. Much of Criolo’s music is a social commentary on the state of Brazil today, focusing on his passion to speak out on behalf of the dispossessed.

Eight of the boys involved at Romsey Mill, who range in age from 15 to 18, have been writing their own songs for the event as well creating new material using Criolo’s instrumental. On the day, they will have a chance to meet Criolo, before performing their set. The boys, many of whom were involved in Cambridge Junction’s Rapademic last July, which supported emerging talent, will be performing as Flava T, Tevz, General T, Skeemz, Quarmz, Don Tukz, Street Inc and Rhetoric.

Karl Lewis, Music Specialist Youth Worker at Romsey Mill, said, “This is a big thing for them because, in Cambridge, they don’t actually have many opportunities for what they’re doing. I think it is important that I’m a part of this process because I understand them, I have been through a lot of their situations in my life. They need somewhere to let off steam and have fun and some of the songs they make are mind-blowing. The more they work with each other, the more they understand each other’s abilities.”

Jon Sanders, Lead Youth Development Worker for South and East Cambridge, said, “It is great that Cambridge Live are giving us this opportunity to support Criolo. The lads are really looking forward to performing and showing off their talents. It gives a real focus to what they’re doing and something to aim for, as well as improving their confidence and aspirations which can they influence other areas of their life as well.”

Neil Jones, Cambridge Live Director of Operations, said, “We are very pleased to be working with Romsey Mill on this cornex:discover project. It is great to be able to help nurture the young talent emerging from Cambridge’s hip hop and grime scene. We’d also like to extend a huge thanks to ARM for their support of this project.”

To find out more about the event, click here.