I Am The Change - Platform2 EP Launch!

The 'I Am The Change' EP is the coming together of 11 Platform2 [1]returnees who decided to utilise their singing/song writing/poetical skills in response to their ten week experiences in a developing country. The heart and soul of the project, Julia Suit (who was also the executive producer for the EP), went to Ghana in 2008. "I met amazing women who are so strong-willed and who are living in poverty but are overcoming their circumstances with such dignity.   My song 'I Am a Woman' is for them; to give these women a voice to be heard" said Julia.

After months of work, the stage was set last Thursday (July 8) at the Real World Gallery (just off east London's bustling Brick Lane) for all the Platform2 EP artists to come together for the official listening party/EP launch...

As well as a live performance from Julia (stage name - Juliyaa [2]), there was also a set from David Osei in the form of his monologue - 'The Other side of the Table'; which was inspired by his visit to South Africa last year. It portrayed an optimistic reflection on the future of South Africa, but also bared in mind the massive divide between the rich and poor, and the inequalities that some black South Africans in particular are still faced with.

"...Why procrastinate? Why not just get on with it? A lot of people talk, but don’t really do anything about poverty, corruption, gender inequalities and other global issues. Actions speak louder than words."

Micheal Anthony performed his poem 'Development'; which touched upon his trip to South Africa and his shock at what he could only describe as the "atrocious and terrible conditions" that he witnessed in the townships. Ebz, from duo Ebz and Lowz shared with the audience an entertaining moral story on the dangers of throwing stones at Peruvian dogs, performing his own beat 'Over the Brink'; which highlighted the pitfalls of materialism and popular culture as an obstacle rather than a driving force for eliminating poverty for good.

Shivon Bailey who went to India earlier this year, performed 'Why Wait'. Shivon explains, "The main message of what I want to say is in the chorus... Why procrastinate? Why not just get on with it? A lot of people talk, but don’t really do anything about poverty, corruption, gender inequalities and other global issues. Actions speak louder than words." Adam Dunmore who volunteered in South Africa, travelled all the way from Leicester to round off the night with 'Coffee Beans'; a song primarily about exploitation and multinational corporations, who instead of trying to help eradicate poverty only reinforce it.

I Am The Change is a fantastic project featuring such thought provoking artists who have really embraced their experience and produced amazing songs, poetry and monologues. Whilst injustices worldwide will not be solved overnight, it’s a key reminder that when a group of hard working and like minded young people come together and make the voices of those they lived and worked with heard, it does so much to reiterate that we are the change and we can make a difference. 

Words and photos: Carissa Yeboah
 

For more information on Platform2 and the EP please visit www.myplatform2.com [1]