Global Soul Honour Roll

Performing Live RUBII Ashley Henry (Solo) Jerome Thomas GeeJay Lynda Dawn Poppy Ajudha Valntna Baely Renato Paris Victoria Jane Ruby Francis Victoria Port Tora-i HOST: Victoria Jane (BBC Radio 1) DJ Ruby Francis RUBII In the ever-evolving landscape of music, one name is making waves that you won't want to miss – RUBII. Hailing from a background deeply rooted in Music, this UK-based artist is making her mark with a unique blend of hip-hop, neo-soul, and RnB. RUBII's music is more than just a melody; it's a journey. Her signature intimate and harmonizing vocals draw you in, creating an atmosphere that's both nostalgic and contemporary. Grounded, rhythmic, and soulful, RUBII's lyrics feel like a conversation at a cosy gathering, making you feel like an insider, privy to her deepest thoughts. Tracks like "BOTB" and "Fool'' showcase RUBII's ability to fuse genres effortlessly, delivering music that's as catchy as it is thought-provoking. "Fool," in particular, stands out with its punchy, garage-soul fusion and a hint of Gen-Z attitude, a testament to her versatility as an artist. RUBII's musical journey has been a swift and inspiring one. While her debut single, ‘Bitter Lips,’ hinted at her potential, it's her rapid evolution and growing Artistry that have caught people's attention. Having now released 3 EP’s in the form of ‘Repose’ in 2020, ‘Olive Green’ in 2023, and ‘Change & Remain’ in 2024 which reached No 3 in the Global Soul Chart, she's a rising star on the cusp of something big, and her momentum shows no signs of slowing down. 2024 is set to be RUBII’s biggest year yet with the success of her recent EP, and captivating singles ‘Jealousy’, ‘Dreams’ & ‘Night Drive’ which have amassed over 8 million streams in a matter of months. She has also seen significant social media success; with three of her singles trending on the instagram audio charts’ top 20. As you navigate the ups and downs of daily life, let RUBII's soulful sounds be your soundtrack. Keep an eye on this artist, for she's poised to ascend even higher in her musical pursuits, leaving an unforgettable mark on the world of music. RUBII is not just any artist; she's a rising star on a journey worth following. She first performed for Global Soul x Cross The Tracks in 2023 and have heavily supported her recent EP. She recently SOLD OUT two headline shows so we are thrilled to bring her to her biggest stage yet at Koko to honour and celebrate her rapid ascendance. GeeJay Gee (vocalist and songwriter) and Jay (producer and multi instrumentalist) met in Harringay London when the pair were working as baristas in a music café. They quickly went from jamming on the café’s old piano to crafting their own distinctive style of music. Gee's strong, soulful and emotionally-charged vocals fit perfectly on top of Jay’s vintage jazzy chords and groovy rhythms, whilst the saxophone adds a further element to the melodic mix. With two EP releases under their belt, GeeJay have managed to amass over 12 million streams and have garnered widespread critical acclaim from the likes of The Guardian, Fearne Cotton (BBC Radio 2), BBC Radio 1, BBC 1Xtra, Jack Saunders, and CLASH to name but a few. After the birth of their child in July 2023, the pair took to the studio to finsh their debut album 'What's the Sun Without the Rain?' released earlier this year. The lead single from the project 'Stronger Than You Think' has already sparked the attention of Trevor Nelson (BBC Radio 2) who made it his track of the week, Jack Saunders (BBC Radio 1 Future Artists) and Robert Elms (BBC Radio London). They have also collaborated with The Silhouettes Project releasing a single 'Moment' earlier this year. They returned this year to performing Live selling out two headline Shows at The Lower Third then their London Jazz Festival Show at the Jazz Cafe. They also performed at the recent Global Soul Showcase so seems fitting to Honour all their success by joining the line up at Koko. Lynda Dawn Vocalist, producer and songwriter from North London’s Lynda Dawn explores the sonic spectrum between funk, soul and jazz. Drawing upon her musically inclined upbringing, Dawn delivers a distinctive style of storytelling. Her breakout single 'Move' introduced Lynda as ‘one to watch’. Enlisting the help of frequent collaborator Al Dobson Jr, he then released her highly anticipated debut EP, 'At First Light' on Mndsgn’s LA-based label Akashik Records. Met with critical acclaim, it landed the number 1 spot on Jamz Supernova's Top 5 EPs in the World and following the release, The Guardian and Clash Magazine included Dawn in their top new acts to watch. With Lynda's latest release '11th Hour' recently being release on October 4th and being supported by Gilles Peterson, Lynda has returned to equal if not greater acclaim. Having sold out the Barbican's Milton Court Concert Hall on the day of release. '11th Hour' seems to have arrived right on time Poppy Ajudha Singer Songwriter born in South East London to a British mother and St Lucia-born father, Poppy was surrounded by music. Her father owned a nightclub, which exposed Ajudha to a variety of genres “I taught myself guitar and would write poems,” She burst onto the scene in 2015 with her debut release ‘David’s Song’ which included a Tom Misch Remix. In 2018 she featured on the Tom Misch track ‘Disco Yes’ which has had over 100 million streams. In 2020 she was invited to contribute to the prestigious Blue Note Re:Imagined series recording an inspired and critically acclaimed version of Herbie Hancock classic ‘Watermelon Man (Under The Sun)’. Her critically acclaimed debut album ‘The Power In Us’ was released in 2022 with a feeling like she had “something to prove”. Constructed during lockdown, the album spoke on the chaos of the world, with socially-charged songs on the intersectionality of race, gender, and sexuality. “That album is not going anywhere,” says Poppy, “and I still stand for those things and will continue to talk about the issues I care about.” Poppy Ajudha has realised the power of being vulnerable within her music. Not caring anymore about what or who holds her back, not being afraid to confront her demons, and most importantly, not being afraid to finally put herself first. She is full of soul and reflection, unabashedly joyous with a rousing sense of determination. The word that best describes this new era is “fearless”: “Confident and bold, too. It feels right. I’ve got no doubts. Honestly, I’ve never been so committed to something in my life.” Her recent single ‘My Future’ sees Poppy own the idea of being selfish and the follow up ‘Girl Next Door’ is a coming-of-age anthem reflecting how Ajudha came to terms with her queerness after falling in love with a woman for the first time and is a firm favourite for Global Soul. We look forward to what more she has in store as we celebrate her new found creative vigour and aplomb. Jerome Thomas The true heart and soul of Hackney, he is an undeniable power house of talent and dedication. Known for his powerful vocal that soars, seduces and sighs in oceans of deep harmonies that underpin melodic tales of love, sorrow, elation and frustration with emotional sincerity. Blessed with a mother with immaculate taste he grew up around a family working in the industry inspiring him to began performing at an early age. His 2016 debut release ‘Conversations’ - propelled him into his own lane with its uniquely styled melodies introducting us to his sublime vocals. He followed up with 2019’s ‘Moodswings Vol.1’ arguably his most cutting edge release, returning in 2021 with ‘That Secret Sauce’ - undeniably his most confident. His progressive sound is the result of a myriad of loyal producers such as Talos, Pitch92, Warren Xcellence, Mathsxjoy, Jarreau Vandal, Blue Lab Beats, Joe Armon Jones, Maxwell Owin and Bluestaeb. He has five sold out headline shows under his belt and enjoyed support from Afropunk, COLORS, Clash, BBC 1Xtra, BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 6 Music, Highsnobiety, Complex, Vogue Italia, MTV & i-D. We are celebrating the release of his new project 'Submerge' which demonstrates the maturity of his sound and rich vocal prowess. ILUVLIVE Introduces Valntna Valntna is part of the illustrious ILUVLIVE Artist development programme which has previously included the likes of Emmavie, Morgan Monroe, Lylo Gold, STORRY etc. From South London she has built a reputation for her unique, powerful and sultry vocals. She fuses R&B, Soul & Neo Soul reminiscent of the 90s. Her first single ‘Foolish Ways’ in 2018 enjoyed support from BBC 1xtra, Pulse88, Reprezent as well as Spotify editorial playlists. Her second single in 2020 ‘CCW’ (Confidently Constantly Wrong) featuring Pink87 was a cinematic female anthem. Followed by ‘Black Kingz’ for Black History month with a powerful message to empower calling for healing and unity. Her debut EP was released in 2021 ‘Shadow Work’ with 6 heartfelt ballads including two parables filled with soulful harmonies and heartwarming melodies. In 2022 she collaborated with Tom Ferry for the summer anthem ‘More Than Friends’ and in 2023 with House DJs Manyfew for ‘Deeper Love’ which had support from Kiss, Capital and numerous editorial playlists on DSPs. It was included on ‘Love Island All Stars’ Session and culminated in Live performances at the Silverstone Grand Prix and Henley Festival. She had a strong start to 2024 with releases ‘Glow Queen’ and ‘Inner Vision’ achieving a combined half a million views with rapid streaming growth too. Her second EP ‘Rise Of The Feminine Divine’ focusing on self-love, self-discovery, healing and empowerment. Her most recent release the amapiano influenced ‘Palo Santo’ has proved particularly popular with Global Soul audiences. BAELY His eclectic range of early influences coupled an injection of modern R&B and Neo-Soul allows him to encapsulate a sound that embodies a retro-spirit, channelled through a Future Soul filter, wrapped with an R&B bow. Having worked behind the scenes with many established artists including: Jorja Smith, Cat Burns, Dave, Stormzy etc BAELY has inevitably gone on to collaborate with an incredible roster of artists and producers on his own music he emerged onto the scene in 2019 with his debut single 'Talking To The Walls'. He has released a string of singles since with his latest in 2024 'Pluto' which was premiered by Complex and featured on VEVO's own 'R&B Supreme'. BAELY has also featured on 2 tracks with Electro-pop duo 'HONNE' in 2021. This year he featured alongside Alicai Harley on Toddla T's single release 'Something Special'. From the outset BAELY has continued to build support with major tastemakers at: Complex, Wonderland, COLORS, Clash, BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 1Xtra etc BAELY's live performances are where he really comes into his own captivating audiences worldwide having graced some of the most prestigious stages including: Royal Albert Hall, Royal Festival Hall, O2 Arena etc His distinctive vocals, organic soulfulness, infectious and captivating stage-presence seen him increasingly in demand. Recently he had a series of guest-appearances with the Free Nationals, permomanced alongside Stormzy at All Points East Festival and worked Jorja Smith on her World tour. BAELY's reputation precedes him renowned on the circuit as the Singer’s Singer. His Vocal prowess serving as an inspiration to so many aspiring and established alike. Serious Introduces Renato Paris An Award Winning Artist and Songwriter bringing together the best of Soul, Pop, R&B, Jazz, and Funk to form his distinctive musical style. A BRIT School Graduate, he has since travelled the world perfecting his craft, having worked with renowned artists like Yazmin Lacey, Maverick Sabre, Jorja Smith and Burt Bacharach. As well as leading his own band, Renato also contributes to other key groups in the scene such as Moses Boyd's Exodus band. He founded the pioneering Straight Pocket jam session in Brixton, fostering creative exploration among musicians and undoubtedly leaving its mark on the London music scene. His movement gained global recognition, reaching fans and contributors as far as Australia and Asia, to even featuring Grammy Award-winning US artist Thundercat. As well as receiving acclaim performing on the greatest stages worldwide, Renato has been featured at Grammy Camp L.A., BBC Radio, Ronnie Scott's and NPR Tiny Desk among others. "His voice grabs you, is warm, soulful and will stay with you - Renato always delivers!" - Julian Joseph (Composer, Educator, Broadcaster) "21st Century Donny Hathaway, Marvin Gaye & Jon Hendricks all-in-one!" - Carleen Anderson (Vocalist, Composer, Lyricist) He has been described as a ‘secret weapon’ in your armoury as a band and why his services are in such high demand. IYKYK. We hope his incredible talent will not be a secret for much longer! Serious/Take Five Take Five is an annual talent development scheme that supports 8 emerging jazz and improvising musicians in the UK, offering a comprehensive and bespoke training programme. The scheme includes mentorship, online seminars, a five-day performance residency, ongoing guidance and performance opportunities. Participants collaborate, receive holistic workshops developing their artistic practice, and gain exposure through events like the EFG London Jazz Festival. The scheme also includes a mentorship opportunity for production managers and sound engineers from Global Majority backgrounds, delivered in partnership with Black Lives In Music. Notable alumni, who include the likes of Shabaka Hutchings, Nubya Garcia, Seb Rochford, Yazz Ahmed, have achieved significant recognition in the jazz scene, benefiting from the professional and artistic development provided by the programme. You can find out more about Take Five on our website, and also view a full list of past participants Serious is a non-profit cultural organisation that brings people together through music. They produce industry-leading live music events, creative engagement projects, and talent development schemes. With over 30 years of experience, Serious are passionate about making music that matters to communities, supports the success of artists, and goes beyond the mainstream. Purpose driven, they believe in music’s unique role as a cultural and social catalyst, and their mission is to enable everyone to engage with music in a way that is meaningful for them. Serious' work includes producing the annual EFG London Jazz Festival, Europe’s largest city-wide music festival and the UK’s biggest celebration of jazz and surrounding genres; Between the Lines, a series showcasing experimental, boundary-pushing creators; Thamesmead Festival, a community festival that celebrates the artistic roots and diversity of the town; K Music, the UK’s leading festival of contemporary Korean music – all alongside one-off concerts, national tours, and partner projects. All their projects explore ways to enable artists to create and present new work. Iluvlive Launched in 2004 and is a not for profit live music and artist development platform supported by Arts Council England. ILUVLIVE supported Ed Sheeran, Jessie J, Tinie Tempah, Emeli Sande, Chip, Wretch 32, Little Simz, Ms Banks, Kojey Radical, Ella Mai, Tom Grennan, Shakka and Mahalia to name a few years before they were signed. In 2015 they officially launched an artist development programme having successfully launched Izzy Bizu and went on to work with Nao (when she was part of the Boxettes, Laura White, Lylo Gold (Zino Records), Emmavie and Jords (Virgin). Cross The Tracks A day festival is heading into a successful fifth year after selling out three years running. It attracts the very best artists and collectives globally, across jazz, funk, soul, hiphop, electronica and world music. A festival centred on community, culture, family, flavour, history and creating a space for emerging artists as well as heritage legends. Boasting 9 vibrant music stages, a selection of 70+ London's hottest street food vendors, a craft beer fair, independent artisan traders, informative panels, hands-on workshops and on-site walkabouts for the 30,000 passengers to immerse themselves in. After the success in 2023 we are back for our final event of 2024. We have pulled together our strongest line up yet for our biggest event to date. To ensure we can accommodate as many people as possible we have moved from the home of our infamous sell out shows at The Jazz Café to the iconic Koko in Camden. We bringing together a huge line up of Artists, DJs and Hosts but also some of the other key Live promoters supporting grass roots R&B/Soul Artists. We are celebrating and honouring some of the key breakthrough Artists. None of this success would be possible without your support so we hope you will join us as for this historic occasion as we bring together much of the Soul/R&B scene for the first time in this unrivalled must-see array of rising stars.