Loose Theories.

With the election results putting an even duller dampener on the January blues, Brexit seems to be just around the corner. For some of us, the news of the conservatives continuing in parliament is a devastating way to start a new decade.

A union is about to be broken. Whether or not the NHS will become privatised and universalĺ credit will continue to put pressure on the many, what we know for certain is there are people in Britain suffering.

I read an article on how The London Borough of Tower Hamlets has the highest child poverty rate, at 43%, only to be intensified by the wait for the new credit system to be in working order. Another on homelessness in Newham borough on the rise.

Like many, I am uncertain of the future in my country and I need an outlet, something loose from the politics. In the mist of this depression, what has there always been that unifies the oppressed and the attacked?

Music has been home to generations of people living in fear of their own country. From the start of civilisation, in more severe conditions, music has been the product of oppression; during the slave era, both world wars and later rights movements across the world. In Europe, in Asia- in every single continent- in extreme conditions and failed democracies, music blew up.

For example, during the American Civil Rights movement of 1950-60’s America. Jazz and bebop music, became huge influences in America and eventually the world. It is argued that this music is the foundation of every later genre. Music inspired writers such as James Baldwin, T.S Eliot, Shakespeare, all revolutionary. Later, 1980’s Germany with the explosion of Techno music in Berlin. There are knots tied across all the artistic industries and politics.

In an extremist fashion, you could argue drill music is UK’s rebellion music right now. The police force is not particularly keen on this genre of music, it is said that the artists and producers are monitored due to the nature of the lyrics.

Should it be banned?

But I dont think that’s it. 2019 saw some crazy emerging talent,

Listen to Erika De Casier ‘The Essentials’

-collaborations and projects locally in London and across the globe. Art, music and fashion hasn’t felt so blended in a long time. The industries haven’t been this open and inclusive for a while; everyone is doing something. It is so easy to showcase your work now, on SoundCloud, socials and through events in the city. Musicians are designing, visual artists are performing and events are becoming festivals of multimedia.

Activism has become creative, especially with the impact of organisations like Extinction Rebellion who are closing the gap between music and politics. The current situation has put pressure on faces in the arts industries to support the political/environmental causes, it has become a trend.

2020 will hold the next big thing, in music and in politics.

But what will it be?