Apex Zero: Drummer
Warrior Storyteller
@ Rich Mix
Recipe Used:
Another special post.
This is the 2nd post to coincide with an interview over at “What’s Good? W/ Charlie Taylor” and I highly encourage you to spin if you want full context. But if you haven’t got an hour & change to spend, here’s a little breakdown…
A Day @ Rich Mix
It began with an invitation to interview the artist responsible for the day; and the day itself. It involved two events at Rich Mix, in the heart of Shoreditch; a stones throw from Brick Lane. (See the Kodachrome 64 post for my exploration of the area)
The 2nd is what we'll take focus on for this post but the 1st is worth a mention; a wonderful exhibition featuring photography, painting, fashion, film and – wait for it – blacksmithing.
The interview will give a lot more context into what the entire day was about, but that is what the first part of the day was; including a panel from the people responsible for the exhibition, an arresting ritual from High Priestesses and a short film.
But that was simply the appetiser.
The main course, was the 2nd session: An immersive, theatrical show; complete with the music from the coinciding Short Film, (link here) dance numbers, live drum sets, animations & projections.
Apex Zero
The centre of the “Drummer Warrior Storyteller” universe; Apex Zero is an electric performer when he’s on the mic. And with music as powerful and purposeful as his, it’s incredibly gripping.
Muti Musafiri
Going by the moniker “Mutivation”, Muti is the Creative Director to Apex Zero’s Artistic Director; dealing with the choreography and with his own moment to bust out into riveting spoken word.
And before I drop the rest of the set, I would like to highlight some of my favourite members of the cast; including Poetikah (first photo) and Guy Kelton Jones Sr who you will catch as the Griots in a beautiful shade of blue.
And dancers Andre Bright, Corrie Onyx David King & Grace Ogundipe Akinbode.
I’d also like to highlight: A) how B L A C K this show was. Like, MAN was this ting Pan-African AF… B) This was all done in the space of five weeks.
Okay, enough gass…
It has always been rare for me to be in spaces such as these. To watch black joy expressed in such a creative way, packed with so many visual and sonic elements; it was overwhelming at times if I’m honest.
I genuinely hope this experience gets the expansion it deserves. The photos can’t exemplify how solid it all was despite the quick turnaround; but the sheer attempt alone is commendable.
I love us so much.
“Nobody can teach me who I am. You can describe parts of me, but who I am – and what I need – is something I have to find out myself.” – Chinua Achebe.
Charlie Taylor
chillicharlie.taylor@gmail.com
Born in Camden, North London.
Bred in Leigh-On-Sea, Essex.
Screenwriter/Podcaster/Photographer/
Hip-Hop Student.