Big People Community CIC & See My World Festival Present, The MCR Hip Hop Archive Symposium, Listen Back!
Last Wednesday, The Manchester Hip Hop Archive Symposium was held at Manchester Metropolitan University. It featured as a part of Big people Community CIC, ‘See My World Festival 2021’. The festival aimed to celebrate the pan-African experience. The symposium curated and moderated by Sefton Mottley featured guests, Anif Anikola, Mc Shine, OneDa, Johnny Jay and Dr G.
These hip hop expert panellists consist of Manchester’s prominent music producers, responsible for shaping and leading the local and national Black music industry. They discussed American Hip Hop influence in shaping the dynamics of UK Black music and culture. The topics they addressed included: Early years, Positivity vs Niggativity, Can’t knock the hustle, Rise of the millionaire and Whose world is this.
Listen back, click below!
To learn more about the curator & the panelist read below:
Curator
Sefton Mottley
Sefton Mottley is a first-generation member of Manchester’s Hip Hop family. Sefton started as a break dancer in 1981 and has distinguished himself as a champion beat-boxer, producer, promoter, community leader and both a club and radio DJ. Sefton is currently a researcher at Manchester Hip Hop Archive, leading oral history interviews with some of Manchester’s biggest Hip Hop representatives.
Panelists
Anif Anikola
ANIFF AKINOLA PKA A R Cousins is a DJ and rapper from Manchester. He was a founding member of the cult Mancunian hip-hop group Chapter and the Verse and was a member of Backyard Dog. In addition, he co-produced the Urban Cookie Collective hit “The Key the Secret” and the A Guy Called Gerald hit “Voodoo Ray”, and rapped on the Kirsty MacColl hit “Walking Down Madison”.
MC Shine
DJ MC Shine or Shine MC started with his first appearance on Wax On The Melt EP by his hometown’s Hit Squad MCR in 1988. Later achievements include producing a cover version of Isaac Haye’s classic “Shaft” for PWL/Coliseum Records in 1996, as well as writing and producing the chart topping “Flowers” for Sweet Female Attitude in April 2000. This charted at number two in the charts and stayed in the top ten for five weeks.
Yinka Charles
Yinka aka MC Reason, Voice of Reason is an old skool UK Hip Hop Rapper from Notting Hill West London and has been rapping on the UK Hip Hop and music scene since the age of 16. Yinka started rapping at the age of 15 and has had huge success, she has performed on various music channels/TV programmes/concerts around the world, such as MTV, Top of the Pops and more she has been lucky enough to perform with talented and well-established Artists/Musicians in the field.
OneDa
OneDa is a rapper and vocalist born and raised in Manchester UK. OneDa’s clever, sharp lyricism, mixed with melodic vocals and punch lines that make you rethink your train of thought, make her much more than you’re average Artist. She has been selected as One to Watch by BBC Radio 1 and 1xtra and with her seemless manipulation of both old school and new school vibes. Her latest single ‘YoYo’ was made ‘Track of the Week’ on BBC 1xtra and Introducing. OneDa resurrects Hip Hop as we know it and leads her fans hand in hand down an energy filled fantasy land, in which dreams come true and Nightmares confronted. With her fan base fast growing after just being involved in the Manchester music seen as a solo artist in the past 2 years or so. OneDa shows no sign of slowing down.
Johnny Jay
Johnny Jay is a Black British DJ & music producer & in a career spanning over 35 years, he has worked with most Major Record & Publishing Companies, producing & remixing for artists as diverse as Stone Roses, East 17, Fatboy Slim etc. In the 1980s, he organized, promoted & djed over 200 hip hop and dance music events for young people giving local emerging artists like A guy called Gerald & MC Tunes opportunities to perform & showcase their work. He also was also a finalist in the UK DMC DJ Mixing Championships.
Dr G
Gareth Hunt AKA Dr G is a Hip-Hop Producer & Promotor from Manchester. He Started in his early teens on pirate Radio and Also started Dj ing at local events and went on to promoting his own events around the city. From about 1994 onwards he worked for Sony Music as a key rep for the Sony street team. Years after he became involved music production and was producing beats from many of the up & coming Manchester artists. As social media started to get more significant, he started to reach out to other rap artists in the states and finally landed a few big beat placements. And now has production credits dating from 2010 till now 2021 such as : Big Daddy Kane /Kool G Rap /Canibus /Hell Razah /Mobb Deep / Inspectah Deck / Krs One / Bizzy Bone /Outlawz / Shyheim /Joell Ortiz / Styles P / Ras Kass / Cappadonna /Jim Jones Plus Many more from around the states & UK In early 2016 He formed his own group “Seven Spherez” with a few local rappers And they went on too release Seven full projects and Proform numerous shows around the country. Since 2019 Dr G Remains producing for many local and young artists in & around the city.
