Lionel McCalman • Steelpan, schools, and Carnival

Lloyd and Rotimi • Series 1 wrap up

That's a (series one) wrap! In today's ep we’re looking back at the DIY culture, community roots, and genre-bending stories that shaped Many Rivers so far. From Soul II Soul tees to steelpan in UK schools, from Brit Funk to grime, the key stories, lessons, and laughs are all here. Follow the show and get in touch: Email the team at manyriverspod@gmail.com [manyriverspod@gmail.com] | Follow the show on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/manyriverspod/] and BlueSky [https://bsky.app/profile/manyriverspod.bsky.social] Listen to the Spotify playlist here [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3Ib3XPtPPPhIBJWcC0yeyC?si=623874ef1e5f453c] Lloyd is the co-curator of Black Sound London: The Story of British Black Music, an exhibition currently on at the Barbican Library from 10 Mar to 19 Jul 2025 More information here [https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2025/event/black-sound-the-story-of-british-black-music] __________ A Warner Music Entertainment podcast, produced by Darkside Media [https://www.instagram.com/darksidemediahq/]. Produced by Tom Dark for Darkside Media, and Sorcha Macdonald for Warner Music Entertainment. Edited by Pete Vuckovic. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Lionel McCalman • Steelpan, schools, and Carnival

Educator, musician, and pioneer of the UK steelpan movement Lionel McCalman joins the show this week. Lionel, Rotimi and Lloyd take a seat at our roundtable to trace the roots of steelpan from Trinidad to UK schools, exploring how the instrument evolved from community tradition to national symbol - and how it’s still shaping identity, education, and British Black culture today. Follow the show and get in touch: Email the team at manyriverspod@gmail.com [manyriverspod@gmail.com] | Follow the show on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/manyriverspod/] and BlueSky [https://bsky.app/profile/manyriverspod.bsky.social] Listen to the Spotify playlist here [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3Ib3XPtPPPhIBJWcC0yeyC?si=623874ef1e5f453c] Lloyd is the co-curator of Black Sound London: The Story of British Black Music, an exhibition currently on at the Barbican Library from 10 Mar to 19 Jul 2025 More information here [https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2025/event/black-sound-the-story-of-british-black-music] __________ A Warner Music Entertainment podcast, produced by Darkside Media [https://www.instagram.com/darksidemediahq/]. Produced by Tom Dark for Darkside Media, and Sorcha Macdonald for Warner Music Entertainment. Edited by Pete Vuckovic. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Jaz Karis • R&B, authenticity, and defining genres

Soulful songstress Jaz Karis joins the podcast this week to reflect on her debut album Safe Flight, the challenges of categorising R&B, and how streaming, accent bias, and genre politics affect UK Black artists. Follow the show and get in touch: Email the team at manyriverspod@gmail.com [manyriverspod@gmail.com] | Follow the show on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/manyriverspod/] and BlueSky [https://bsky.app/profile/manyriverspod.bsky.social] Listen to the Spotify playlist here [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3Ib3XPtPPPhIBJWcC0yeyC?si=623874ef1e5f453c] Lloyd is the co-curator of Black Sound London: The Story of British Black Music, an exhibition currently on at the Barbican Library from 10 Mar to 19 Jul 2025 More information here [https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2025/event/black-sound-the-story-of-british-black-music] __________ A Warner Music Entertainment podcast, produced by Darkside Media [https://www.instagram.com/darksidemediahq/]. Produced by Tom Dark for Darkside Media, and Sorcha Macdonald for Warner Music Entertainment. Edited by Pete Vuckovic. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Kenny Wellington & Breeze McKrieth • Brit Funk, Light Of The Word, and lasting legacy

Founding members of Light of the World, Kenny Wellington and Breeze McKrieth, join us this week to talk about the origins and legacy of Brit Funk. From their early days forming bands at college, to influencing a generation of UK pop, jazz, and soul artists, the duo take us on a journey of lasting cultural impact. Plus: Tales of legendary club Crackers, and sessions with Spandau Ballet. Follow the show and get in touch: Email the team at manyriverspod@gmail.com [manyriverspod@gmail.com] | Follow the show on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/manyriverspod/] and BlueSky [https://bsky.app/profile/manyriverspod.bsky.social] Listen to the Spotify playlist here [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3Ib3XPtPPPhIBJWcC0yeyC?si=623874ef1e5f453c] Lloyd is the co-curator of Black Sound London: The Story of British Black Music, an exhibition currently on at the Barbican Library from 10 Mar to 19 Jul 2025 More information here [https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2025/event/black-sound-the-story-of-british-black-music] __________ A Warner Music Entertainment podcast, produced by Darkside Media [https://www.instagram.com/darksidemediahq/]. Produced by Tom Dark for Darkside Media, and Sorcha Macdonald for Warner Music Entertainment. Edited by Pete Vuckovic. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Cookie Pryce • Cookie Crew, from Battersea to The Bronx

Rotimi and Lloyd sit down with Cookie Pryce of Cookie Crew to trace the rise of British Black hip-hop: from the South London youth clubs of Battersea to the heart of New York’s hip-hop scene in the Bronx. Cookie shares how Cookie Crew carved space for women in rap, and what it meant to build something from scratch - no blueprint, no permission, just passion! Follow the show and get in touch: Email the team at manyriverspod@gmail.com [manyriverspod@gmail.com] | Follow the show on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/manyriverspod/] and BlueSky [https://bsky.app/profile/manyriverspod.bsky.social] Listen to the Spotify playlist here [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3Ib3XPtPPPhIBJWcC0yeyC?si=623874ef1e5f453c] Lloyd is the co-curator of Black Sound London: The Story of British Black Music, an exhibition currently on at the Barbican Library from 10 Mar to 19 Jul 2025 More information here [https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2025/event/black-sound-the-story-of-british-black-music] __________ A Warner Music Entertainment podcast, produced by Darkside Media [https://www.instagram.com/darksidemediahq/]. Produced by Tom Dark for Darkside Media, and Sorcha Macdonald for Warner Music Entertainment. Edited by Pete Vuckovic. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.