Day 26 of our 2020 charity Advent Calendar, in aid of You Make It & Project Protect.
Sierra Leonean-British wordsmith Brother Portrait‘s wielding of narrative and flow are so second nature, we continue to anticipate big things from the Touching Bass affiliate. Today he teams up with D’Vo and Dariés Street-Soul who look after production and vocal duties respectfully on a steely hip hop number as he effortlessly conjures imagery to his narrative of grinding out dark days in the concrete jungle.
“Something from the vault, taken out and given some time and attention. This song’s journey started 5 years ago in the basement of an old bank in Battersea. Cold and hungry. Both in our own way channelling the energy of Kung Fu films, of spiritual warfare. Dem ones when the final boss is yourself. Feels like part of a trilogy.
It was a battle to begin it and a battle to complete it, took an all-nighter and countless .WAVs and notes back and forth. Still, we had fun revisiting this one, learnt a lot about process and made real some ideas we’ve been speaking about for a long time. D’Vo mixed it mad cinematic. Lots of things to celebrate.
The song does speak on some dark days. The way I was feeling through that early winter, though I also hear in it a defiant and loving rage. I caught myself thinking thoughts that weren’t mine so had to push back.
Dariés blessed this down at Poorhouse in Camberwell, love and thanks to ess west and L’z for the support and guidance. Thanks and appreciation to The Room studios in Hither Green for the time and space needed to clear those last hurdles.”
This year we’ve chosen to split profits from the release between two charities, both of whom are doing important work within their respective fields.
The first charity is London-based organisation You Make It, a creative programme that offers young women access to tools, networks and experiences — group learning, 1-1 mentoring, work experience, start-up support and 1-1 pastoral support — giving them the confidence to transform their lives through personal empowerment.
The second is Nigeria-based initiative Project Protect, a subdivision of Burna Boy’s charitable NGO The Reach, launched to help provide financial, medical and legal resources for EndSars protestors during and after the protests.
Check the below playlist for all tracks in our Calendar.
Artwork across the series by Mark Grieg.
