vinspired Lake of Stars Festival presents Afrikan Boy, with live acoustic support from Valentina, and DJ set from Ross Allen (Ministry of Sound Radio, The Meltdown)
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///// BREAKING NEWS: very special guest SINDEN, DJ and producer extraordinaire, now confirmed! /////
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We are very excited to announce that the incredible Afrobeat/grime MC Afrikan Boy will be gracing our stage to perform at the Rich Mix on March 3rd 2010 at this amazing FREE event.
Up-and-coming singer/songwriter Valentina will be playing a stunning live acoustic set in support, and the night will also showcase one of the hottest DJs around with a set from Ministry of Sound Radio's very own Ross Allen.
We all know that this is a party not to be missed ... but in case you still need a bit of convincing, check out the buzz ...
AFRIKAN BOY
Originally from Nigeria, Afrikan Boy, aka 20-year-old Shola Ajose, hails from South London, and has been making his name on the grime/Afrobeat scene as a fusion MC from the age of 16. Shola opened for Prince’s back to back shows at London’s O2 in 2007, as well as touring with the likes of M.I.A. Afrikan Boy also appears on a remix of M.IA.’s hit single Paper Planes, and collaborated on her 2007 album Kala.
Afrikan Boy released his first official music video for Lagos Town in January 2010 to huge acclaim. He is currently in the studio recording a hotly anticipated debut album, 1444 Musik, building on the success of tracks from his mixtape, Can of Whoopass, Vol. 1: The Rise of Captain Africa.
http://www.myspace.com/afrikanboy
VALENTINA
Valentina fuses the lyricism and melodies of a young Carol King with a modern view of life, love and the world. Valentina tells how it is to be young and in/out of love, set against a backdrop that hints at the past but looks to the future for inspiration and sounds. Her music is classic... that voice, pianos, guitars and dulcimers all aid Valentina in what she has to say – and that is alot.
Some people once said:
"Valentina comes with songs that shimmer. She may be singing about relationships on the verge of failing, but her style is deceptively light and engaging, just daring you to smile before you're hit with the sting in the tail"
"Valentina Somehow sounds both young and full of wisdom at once. Her songs have a gorgeous simplicity, pleasant arrangements over a very capable voice.
I'd say Valentina's a racing certainty for 2010 fame"
http://www.myspace.com/valentinamusic
ROSS ALLEN
Sony Radio Award winning Ross Allen is a man of many talents, and one of London’s most well known faces on the music scene with more fingers in pies than Frank Butcher.
Since starting as a DJ in the 80’s playing Acid House, Rare Groove and Soul, Ross has shaken every type of dance floor from New Cross to New Jersey, from Tottenham to Tennessee the World over. He is not only the musical brains behind Cargo-backed Casual Records, but also A&R consultant for Island Records and Ninja Tune. He hosts his own night - The Meltdown - at The CAMP in Shoreditch with Raf Daddy and also finds the time to host radio shows for BBC 6 music, cover for Gilles Peterson on Radio 1, write a column for UK music press and get nifty behind the decks on a regular basis.
Ross hosts his award winning show The Meltdown each and every Monday on Ministry of Sound Radio where he drops his mixed soulful bag of reggae, house, techno, R&B, hip hop and drum n' bass. Expect the full spectrum of global music old and new from this truly legendary bastian of awesome sounds. If it’s good, he’ll play it, attracting a broad spectrum of fans such as Laurent Garnier, Fabio and Matthew Herbert.
http://www.ministryofsound.com/radio/artist/RossAllen
SINDEN
Sinden is the London producer/DJ best known for his wide-ranging sets that include everything from Baltimore club, baile funk and hip hop to RnB/soul, dancehall, house/electro, Miami bass and grime.
Sinden has released one solo 12" 'Sinden EP' but has carved out a name as a remixer, rejigging everyone from Basement Jaxx and Mary J Blige to Plan B and Bonde Do Role. He's also known for his collaborations and remixes with Jesse Rose, Herve aka Count of Monte Cristal, and Dave "Switch" Taylor as A.Brucker & Sinden.
Taylor and Sinden also run the label Counterfeet and program 'Get Familiar' in the main room of Fabric, London every other month.
http://www.myspace.com/graemesinden
