Ahnansé (Steam Down) on Collective Consciousness & Global Music | Afro Soul Stories E19In this episode of Afro Soul Stories, host Sewor Okudzeto sits with Ahnansé, founder of Steam Down, to unpack how music, community, and collective consciousness collide in London’s jazz and Afro-diasporic underground.Ahnansé explains the vision behind Steam Down — a live band, weekly London event, and cultural movement rooted in Afro-futurism, spiritual jazz, Afro-infinitism, and global rhythms. We explore how live music creates shared energy, builds community, and reconnects people beyond genre, race, and borders.

Zimbabwean born Nandi is one of the freshest and most soulful artists to come out of the UK. Inspired by South African musical heroes such as Miriam “Mama Africa” Makeba and Hugh Masekela she began to write her own songs. Her dynamic and graceful voice is known to silence crowds, whilst gracing the stage of venues such as Ronnie Scott’s, The Roundhouse and The Southbank Centre. Performances have been acclaimed to be reminiscent of predecessors and her influences such as Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, and Ella Fitzgerald. Nandi having worked with artists such as Jack Bruce (CREAM), Emeli Sande, NAO, Steam Down, Maverick Sabre, Orphy Robinson and Cormega has made her a prominent guest artist with emerging production duo 2fox as well as residencies at Venues such as Arts Club Mayfair, Soho House and The Ned. In 2018 Nandi appeared on ITV’s The Voice, mentored by Will.i.am and Sir Tom Jones. 2020 saw Nandi release her debut solo single “Your Love" which was played on the BBC Introducing London radio show by Jess Iszatt. Nandi's subsequent single release in 2023 "It Could've Been Anyone" gained traction being played on played on two shows on Soho Radio. The single campaign culminated with an interview with Mary Mandefield on BBC Radio London's "The Scene". 2024 will see Nandi continue to release new music and perform for corporate clients such as Mazda, Gala Bingo and Cabaret (The Musical).

Mide Johnson, is both a musician and Human rights Lawyer from Nigeria , who spent time in Geneva and now resides in London where he is pursuing his PHD, in this conversation we explore diaspora engagement, identity, and his path as both a human rights lawyer and creative.

Coco Mbassi was born in Paris and originates from Cameroon. Her music is a blend of African roots, classical music, jazz and gospel, with the feel of acoustic soul. A winner of several music awards including the Radio France Internationale Découvertes Contest in 1996, the German World Music CD Critics Award in 2001, she was one of the two finalists for the BBC World Music Awards in 2002. She toured internationally with her band for over two decades. Highlights include Live 8 at the Eden Project (invited by Peter Gabriel), Louisiana International Festival, Jazz Sous Les Pommiers, Festival d’Été in Montréal, Nuits d’Afrique in Québec, Haus der Kulturen der Welt in Berlin, Afroprojekt in Würzburg, and Womad festivals across Europe, Asia and Australia.

Her discography includes Sepia (2001), Sisea (2003), Coco Mbassi Tour (live DVD, 2005), Jóa (2014), Ashuka Series Vol. 1 (2020, African polyphony), a single, Palaba (2021), and her EP ELA in 2023.

Alizee Ndiaye , Born in the south of France to Senegalese and Italian parents , is an Interdisciplinary creative whose work bridges cultures, disciplines, and generations. After moving to London in 2016, she began her creative journey in 2019, driven by a desire to create space for underrepresented voices.

That same year, Alizée founded DTMH (Don’t Touch My Heritage),a platform dedicated to uplifting and celebrating Black and Brown artists through collaboration, visibility, and storytelling. Her practice began with styling and costume design, her first loves, before evolving into creative direction, curation, and writing. A natural expansion of her curiosity and passion for narrative.

In 2024, Alizée wrote Griot, born from a deep need to tell her diasporic Senegalese story and explore the complexity, pride, and poetry of belonging. Through her work, she continues to champion the legitimacy of interdisciplinary creation, proving that artistry is fluid, that one can move between forms while staying rooted in truth, heritage, and imagination.

Donovan Haffner, winner of the 'Jazz Newcomer' category at the Jazz Parliamentary Awards 2025 is a south-east London born and bred alto saxophonist.

Donovan's debut album Alleviate is a vitally exciting contemporary jazz recording, that reflects Donovan Haffner's burgeoning talent in a glowing light. This essential body of work will undoubtedly position the young musician as a rising jazz star and one of 2025's breakthrough artists. 

Boy Nash is a creative writer and performer with Ghanaian heritage who grew up in both London and Accra, he specialises in the fusion of spoken word, rap, and poetry. The purpose of Boy Nash's music is to inspire, motivate and help people achieve their goals and aspirations.

M3NSA ( born Bondzie Mensa Ansah ), producer, musician, performer, and filmmaker. 

Known for his recognizable sound and instinctual storytelling while still deeply rooted in his motherland, Ghana, he has grown into an international act because of his ability to navigate different languages, cultures, and artistic expressions through the years.

From his beginnings, designing the sound of Hiplife, to today reinterpreting Afrobeats with his unique touch. 

His journey has been a testament to artistic evolution, coming back live on stages with different performances, from music curation to club experiences to big live shows.

As a true artisan of his craft, M3NSA utilizes electronic instruments to build an alternative and emotionally resonant musical tapestry. His performances are not mere concerts; they are immersive experiences, a fusion of artistry and technology that transport audiences into the heart of his creative universe.

It's an invitation to join him on a musical odyssey, where the boundaries between languages, cultures, and genres blur, and the magic of M3NSA's artistry comes to life in electrifying fashion.

Afolabi Lipede, also known as Flame, is a multifaceted artist, serving as a music producer, bass guitarist, singer, songwriter and founder of Afunja Music, a fusion of African funk and jazz, drawing from a diverse array of cultural influences from the world music spectrum.

Born in Mozambique during a 16-year war, MoYah was forced to flee his country as a political refugee & move to Lisbon at a young age.

Inspired by his parents broad musical taste & the impact of Rap music whilst living in Portugal, he quickly learned that music could be used not only for entertainment but also as a powerful tool for self exploration & social expression.