By Chronicles of Black Joy
The podcast currently has 8 episodes available.
Bittersweet explores joy explored through the lens of an elder statesman talking to the youth encouragingly and exploring the disparity between their generations and the life moments navigated with the gift of experience.
The spoken word piece highlights that a major part of black joy is another’s joy that we adopt as our own. And that there’s something special in that. But it also distinctly captures the neighbouring and opposing feelings that also co-opt many of our moments of joy and the duality that it presents.
In this episode, creative producer Rennae Walker and featured artist, AKS, explore the concept of black joy, dissecting its nuance and complexities other than favourable feelings of elation. They explore the role and sometimes necessity of pain in birthing experiences of joy in its truest and purest form.
The Chronicles of Black Joy podcast is supported and distributed by LU Arts (Loughborough University's art centre) in celebration of Black History Month.
Creative Producer - Rennae Walker
Technical Producer - Reece Ferreira
Graphic Designer - Vuyo Ngwenya
Royal Radiance is a narrative of four individuals who have not been blessed with the greatest of circumstances with each verse covering a glimpse of their journey. Despite their battles, their joy is their weapon as they represent just a few examples of changing the narrative of black culture.
The short story was written and performed by producer/rapper George Taylor aka meka who sought to reveal that society may view these people in a certain way but their royal radiance has the power to shine through any stereotype they get labeled with.
Royal Radiance presents some of the battles we as a community may face with the system but inspires community and unification as a people.
As part of our bitesize episode segment we invite students of Loughborough University to share a short story.
The Chronicles of Black Joy podcast is supported and distributed by LU Arts (Loughborough University's art centre) in celebration of Black History Month.
Creative Producer - Rennae Walker
Technical Producer - Reece Ferreira
Graphic Designer - Vuyo Ngwenya
Tulia translates to “Be still” in Swahili; exploring the shifts in how we have been structured to view ourselves.
The short story was written, produced and performed by an exciting and much acclaimed voice in the underground music scene, Musumba, who presents a simply beautiful story piece that shadows the theme of being “still” throughout the chaos and celebrating our joys within and around us as black people.
Tulia features two very important figures in Musumba’s life, her mother and dear friend Ethan Asante.
In this episode, creative producer Rennae Walker and featured artist, Musumba, explore the concept of black joy through a more spiritual and introspective lense. They explore the importance of looking back as a gateway to move forward and reap the fruits of healing and joy in Jesus.
The Chronicles of Black Joy podcast is supported and distributed by LU Arts (Loughborough University's art centre) in celebration of Black History Month.
Creative Producer - Rennae Walker
Technical Producer - Reece Ferreira
Graphic Designer - Vuyo Ngwenya
Come As You Are speaks to each of us who have only ever been taught to conform. Learning to express ourselves freely can be a life-long lesson but there is great joy to be found on the way!
The short story was written and performed by twiced-published poet and current Loughborough student, Yasmin Nwofor who challenges the idea of seeking the “big” joys, the landmark events, often forgetting the casual magic and understated joy in our every day. Come As You Are is a reminder of this.
As part of our bitesize episode segment we invite students of Loughborough University to share a short story.
The Chronicles of Black Joy podcast is supported and distributed by LU Arts (Loughborough University's art centre) in celebration of Black History Month.
Creative Producer - Rennae Walker
Technical Producer - Reece Ferreira
Graphic Designer - Vuyo Ngwenya
Furaha Ya Watoto (The Joy of Children) is a nostalgic musical journey into black joy through the lens of Magero’s childhood.
Written and performed by poet Magero, the short story portrays elements of Black British culture as well as his Kenyan roots and upbringing. It is a comical fusion of storytelling and poetry accompanied by afro sounds and melodies created by music producer FazeOne.
In this episode, creative producer Rennae Walker and guest artist Magero reflect on the profound innocence of childhood, the beauty of family and preserving imagination, all through the lens of black joy.
The Chronicles of Black Joy podcast is supported and distributed by LU Arts (Loughborough University's art centre) in celebration of Black History Month.
Story/Music Producer - FazeOne
Creative Producer - Rennae Walker
Technical Producer - Reece Ferreira
Graphic Designer - Vuyo Ngwenya
Litmus is a consideration of black joy through the lens of what remains, what survives and what doesn’t—and the small, important signs that resilience and beauty are still happening.
The short story was written and performed by emerging Nigerian-American writer N/A Oparah (Ngozi/Alexis)
As part of our bitesize episode segment we invite students of Loughborough University to share a short story. Ngozi used layered sound and repetition with the static of life underneath to remind listeners that when stolen and stripped from its world, some presences, once free and joyous, can become robotic, corrupted, artificial, and thinned.
The Chronicles of Black Joy podcast is supported and distributed by LU Arts (Loughborough University's art centre) in celebration of Black History Month.
Creative Producer - Rennae Walker
Technical Producer - Reece Ferreira
Graphic Designer - Vuyo Ngwenya
Ayomide, is a sonic collage that explores the joyous moments and memories of three generations of Black women.
The short story was written and performed by poet and playwright Lanaire Aderemi, featuring two important women in her life, her mother Adebimpe Aderemi and her grandma, Adenike Sangosanya.
In this episode, creative producer, Rennae Walker and guest artist Lanaire Aderemi discuss their personal, communal and cultural experience of black joy --- particularly how it takes shape in music, dance and in the art of archiving memories.
The Chronicles of Black Joy podcast is supported and distributed by LU Arts (Loughborough University's art centre) in celebration of Black History Month.
Creative Producer - Rennae Walker
Technical Producer - Reece Ferreira
Graphic Designer - Vuyo Ngwenya
Too often the narratives of the Black British experience perpetuated is one tainted with trauma and struggle. This is true for our experience as a people and should not be negated. And though we’re still on a journey of healing from and combating racial trauma this does not make up our whole identity; leaving little room for black stories of joy. And there is so much joy in being black that is seldom expressed.
The Chronicles of Black Joy podcast invites a collective of dynamic storytellers to use their art to express what black joy looks, feels and sounds like to them.
As an LU Arts (Loughborough University art centre) supported podcast we also invite an array of emerging writers/students of Loughborough to share a short story on identity beyond struggle in our short bitesize episodes.
Sit back, relax and delve into a world where black joy is the only song.
The podcast currently has 8 episodes available.