Afropean – notes from Black Europe [Book Launch – June 8th 2019]
Produced by Afropean co-founders Nat Illumine and Yomi Bazuaye, with event management by Sadiece Holland, the evening began with mingling, rum cocktails provided byIdentity drinks and canapés courtesy of Zoe Adjonyoh’s wonderful team at Zoe’s Ghana kitchen, serving red jollof rice and plantain, Goat shocko curry and coconut rice, Suya roasted corn salad with jollof spiced chicken skewers, Grilled garden egg marinated in fresh chilli, garlic and ginger on goats cheese, wild rocket and hard dough crostini, Tilapia Ceviche and Kelewele with Fresh chillies and Suya toasted nuts.
As the crowd savoured the Afropean flavours, Johny played a mellow DJ set encompassing Polish neo soul, Belgian Afrobeat, French Hip-Hop and Swedish funk. You can listen to the playlist here.
Photographer Jonathon Oppong-Wiafe took portraits of the invitees, as Ritchie Lsn set up the performance space for three Afropean soul legends.
TV Presenter/Broadcaster Ayo Akinwolere then introduced the official start of the evening, followed by a reading from Johny, who read this excerpt featured in the Observer
and then we went straight into Les Nubians’ FIRST EVER live London gig. The sisters Faussart ran through their classic anthems, topped with blissful acoustic perfomance of Makeda, from their Grammy nominated album Princesses Nubiennes.
Next >> Omar (and everyone in the room) sings “There’s nothing like this”
Previous << Photos from “Afropean – Notes on Black Europe” book launch
I read the book, and as an American of African descent, this book has opened up a new world of racism I didn’t know existed. Black Pete and TinTin must be abolished the way Little Black Sambo in USA was banned.