Che Lingo

From open mic nights to being signed by Idris Elba, Che’s most recent success sees him covers Radio GaGa for Roger Taylor.

Che Lingo

South London based rapper gained momentum up the mountain of the music industry after the success of his 2018 EP ,Charisma in which he explores themes of vulnerability, fragile masculinity and the impact of misrepresentation, using his talent to explore the fluid nature of black culture. The seven song story incorporates elements of jazz, hip-hop and 90s soul.

Same energy, featured in this EP, was also used on Netflix’s Top Boy. The use of the song in the crime series, written by Ronan Bennet, lead Che to be discovered and signed by Idris Elba’s record label 7wallace..

Before this well deserved recognition ,his skills were enriched by experiences at youth clubs. These spaces allowed him to expand his understanding of music and the freedom to create without the fear of being scrutinised or navigated to a dead end. His appreciation for eclectic sounds allowed him to cultivate his own distinctive voice with the reassuring edge that echoes others before, making Che’s music a distinctive blend of familiar favourites as well as his own voice.

This is most boldly felt in his single My block which explores injustice toward black people.Lingo describes it as being “about making what you have work for you and being proud of where you’re from, even when you think that might work against you for where you want to be. It’s about walking through adversity with faith and believing you are deserved.”

Although this platform is hosted to support rising musicians and review talent it is also important to publish the failings of our so called justice system. This song was orignialy written for Che’s friend Julian Cole, a sports science student and semi-professional footballer who was left paralysed and brain damaged after being arrested outside a nightclub in Bedford in 2013.Instead of being rushed to hospital Cole was taken to a police station. Officers only relaised he was unresponsive whilst in the back of the van losing crucial time before an ambulance was called.

It was only fitting then that the song became an unintentional anthem for Black Lives matters protests in 2020. These movements, this re-education, this support for black lives and black identity is still very much necessary.

Despite making up just 3% of the British population black people make up 8% of those killed in police custody. The most recent was Chris Kaba who was shot by a yet to be named  specialist firearms officer. Kaba ,who was expecting a daughter, was a rapper in drill group 67.It is important that talent is recognised and raised regardless of race, age, gender or class and that violence toward one another is ended.

Do your part and sign this to make a change and be the difference.

MTV original

Che’s most recent success saw him covering Radio Gaga for Roger Taylor in Abbey Road studios. Challenged with the task of recreating one of the most iconic queen songs in just a day most musicians may be petrubed by the pressure but che flourished. Taking inspiration from the pain of losing his Grandma Monica he sang about how he guided her through his youth.

Che’s intellect, experiences of love and loss make for really powerful wordplay giving radio Gaga a new type of magic for the younger generation to befriend in their teenage nights.

Lingo said he was in awe of Taylor, who had written the original Radio Gaga.Taylor seemed to share the same admiration for Lingo, describing him as a fascinating artist who is deeply committed.

With all this and his song Eyes on the prize featuring in Fifa 2022 his instagram bio will no longer need to tell people how to pronounce his name (It’s Shay) for he will just be known.

The Queen

Thursday the 8th of September the world was brought to a standstill as the sad news of her majesty passing was announced. With over 70 years of services and patron to 600 charities The Queen has certainly left a lasting impact on all facets of society, even the music industry.

Not only did she have two honorary degrees in Music; a Bachelor of Music (BMus) from the University of London and a Doctor of Music (DMus) from the University of Wales she also learned how to play piano at the age of 11- readers may remember the elaborate grand gold piano featuring in her 2018 annual address to the Nation.

Her reported favourite pieces of music are listed below.

  • Oklahoma! by Howard Keel
  • Anything You Can Do (Annie Get Your Gun) by Dolores Gray and Bill Johnson
  • Sing by Gary Barlow and the Commonwealth Band featuring the Military Wives
  • Cheek to Cheek by Fred Astaire
  • The White Cliffs Of Dover by Vera Lynn
  • Leaning on a Lamp-post by George Formby
  • Praise, My Soul, The King Of Heaven (hymn)
  • The Lord is My Shepherd (hymn)
  • Lester Lanin Medley
  • Regimental March Milanollo

She is known to have regularly awarded musicians with certain accolades giving out OBE to Kylie Minogues, Annie Lennox and Victoria Beckham. As well as granting knighthoods to Paul McCartney, Elton John and Mick Jagger who ,according to her cousin Elizabeth, she could have rivalled the moves off as “She was a fantastic dancer with great rhythm.”

Her love for music is evidence by her support for keeping music venues alive and open most, notably the Queen Elizabeth Hall at London’s Southbank which she opened in March 1967 is named for her.

She also challenged tradition when in 2014 she appointed Judith Weir, to be the master of the Queen’s music- a position which since 1625 has been held by a man. In 2007 Weir had been awarded the Queen’s medal for music, an accolade introduced by the monarch in 2005.

It was a medal to be presented annually to an outstanding individual or group of musicians who have had a major influence on the musical life of the nation. The introduction of this award also saw a new Music Committee, established to award eligible musicians.The first recipient of The Queen’s Music Medal was conductor Sir Charles Mackerras.

This passion for music is very human, this drive to show support and praise for those that pursue their talent and find their way, demonstrates how similar she was to us. Whatever your standing is, it is undeniably a sad and sombre time in Britain and Worldwide and my thoughts are with her family, my faith with his majesty King Charles.

Scarfgate- Taylor Swift Explains

A new love does not want to stop, you drive through those red lights to the speed of your heart, this is a new life a new start. It’s late nights, long drives, expensive phone bills and a healthy amount of thrill. It’s candlelights and Friday nights, its smudged lipstick and painted nails, new aftershave and freshly ironed suit. It’s the nerves that bubble like champagne in a glass that you awkwardly cheers to in the hope that this will last. But soon those candles burn out, it’s the fridge light you’re dancing too, its cold and unnatural, naked in its embrace. The stifling grip of realisation pokes at your goosebump makes you think, perhaps there is some importance to a stop light.

I am of course referencing All Too Well. A short film, a directorial debut from our talented Taylor Swift. It is known this pieces reflects on the relationship Swift shared with Jake Gylenhall when she was just nineteen whereas he was 28. While fans will be aware that this scarf is quite literal, seen frequently worn by Taylor during this time, it is now a poetic piece too, representing a metaphor.

All Too Well Taylor Swift

At the Toronto International Film Festival the singer said “it’s basically a metaphor” but refrained from elaborating.

Red scarfs have been synonymous with revolutions and protest. They are also worn to provide comfort through the cold and then as a style item. Thus it could be deuced that she felt she was merely an accessory to Gylenhall, something to accessorise his outfit, his reputation with. For her this love she once shared provided great warmth, comfort a symbol of protection and care that soon become stifling, too tight to restrictive- this possession once a gift became an anchor, a restraint keeping her to him. In this film and it’s accompanying song she takes back the scarf, it symbolises her story of breaking free, the torment of heartbreak letting go and letting it be.

This of course is all unconfirmed, so what do you think the scarf could mean? Get in touch! @evolve_music_blog