Yvette G Santana is a young female artist from the south Bronx in NYC who moved to London just over a year ago to pursue her dreams of using art and sport to spread awareness of mental health and mental illness in our community. She’s the proud owner of the I AM NOT CRAZY MOVEMENT and of the I am not crazy anthology.
Lila Robirosa (she/her)Lila Robirosa's storytelling-based comedy reminisces over the fears, failures and flops of navigating the world as a young, queer, anxious woman - a sexy trio of qualities which she flaunts with pride. She has previously completed the Soho Lab stand up course with Sikisa, has competed in the Funny Women awards and has recently won the Comedy Virgins crown.
Cia (she/her) is a poet & producer born & raised in London. She edits @zindabadzine, a print mag for people in diasporas worldwide, & is a Roundhouse Poetry Collective member & Barbican Young Poets alum. She loves writing about bodies, gossip, and Princess Diana.
ELLC
ELLC (el-see) is a Nigerian-born vocalist, songwriter & poet currently based in East London. With roots in the African gospel tradition, her performances showcase her eclectic musical tastes. Drifting effortlessly from soul to musicals to r&b to jazz, ELLC resists categorisation, boxes and all pigeon holes. ELLC’s writing explores black diaspora identities, the self, relationships and community. As a vocalist they have worked with Rambert Dance & performed across Europe including - Montreaux Jazz Festival & Eurosonic Festival
Karima Francis(they/them)is a critically acclaimed musician and songwriter from Blackpool, renowned for their innate ability to blend haunting melodies with honest lyrics and alluring ambiance. With an ear for music evident from an early age, Karima went on to release their debut album ‘The Author’ in 2009 to widespread critical acclaim. Their consequent album’s ‘The Remedy’ (2012) and ‘Black’ (2016) witnessed further acknowledgment of their artistic abilities and saw Karima truly begin to spread their wings. Karima's journey to date has found them playing on Later... With Jools Holland, supporting the likes of Paul Simon, Amy Winehouse and The Stereophonics, as well as working with renowned producer Flood (Nine Inch Nails, Nick Cave, PJ Harvey, Depeche Mode).
Entering a transfixing new chapter in their career, Francis found a new rhythm to recording-life on the West Coast of the USA last year. Unfurling a string of earnest and deeply affecting new singles inspired-by and recorded during their time there, new single “Carelessness Causes Fire” continues this new creative streak and directly follows on from previous singles “Orange Rose” “Shelf Life” (released earlier in 2021), plus last year’s “Say”.
Wrapping up 2022 with one of their most confessional and profound offerings to date, expect further new material
Hosted by Kia Matanky-Becker and Grace Quigley!