We Are Here Scotland presents INCUBATA
In 2022 We Are Here Scotland started an incubation programme to nurture, mentor and develop BPoC (Black People and People of Colour) Scotland-based creatives. The initial pilot welcomed 4 creators from different areas of the creative industries. Musicians Danny Cliff and EYVE, Visual Artist Kumi McKenna and Event Manager Raymond Igbinoke. This is a chance for us to help showcase.
Danny Cliff and Eyve will be performing, Raymond Igbinoke will be event managing and Kumi McKenna has designed the event's branding.
Aberdeen’s Vagrant Real Estate Vagrant Real Estate headlines the event and is joined by special guests from the world of Rap/Hip-Hop and R&B.
Danny Cliff
Born in Nigeria and raised in Austria, singer-songwriter Danny Cliff now calls Edinburgh home. Gaining his love of music through attending church in Austria, it was a double-edged sword as the country’s music scene didn’t live up to expectations but that all changes when he moved to Scotland. His love for music flooded back when he was submerged into the bubbling music scene of Edinburgh. The experience of witnessing the local diversity and musical landscape excited Danny and pushed him back into action and into a range of music including R&B, Soul, Pop, Afro, Gospel, Dance and Hip-hop. Inspired by lived experience his balmy vocals transport his listeners to places of blessed respite. Danny’s notable achievements already include BBC Introducing airplay on BBC Radio Scotland and BBC 1Xtra, he has been a Scottish Alternative Music Awards Best Newcomer Award nominee, and performed at last year’s Celtic Connects at Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall.
Eyve
Originally from Zimbabwe and now based in Scotland, Eyve realised that music and singing was something she wanted to pursue thanks to her church choir. As a queer person, Eyve felt her faith being challenged due to rejection based on her identity and this helped shape her musical path and still does. Rap was a strong means of expression and in 2019, she started to feel empowered to sing and rap about subjects such as feminism, self love, confidence and politics. Hip Hop, pop R&B, reggae, her African roots and jazz continue to influence and inspire the young artist and music continues to let her express a creativity in her soul and body that nothing else does. Growing as a new queer, Black artist in Scotland has given Eyve the chance to face her true self and also opportunities to collaborate with a number of notable figures and organisations including Cryptic, We Are Here Scotland, Mental Health Foundation, Scottish Refugee Council and more. This year also sees her working closely with Musicians in Exile, SoundLab and MusicSpace on an upcoming EP.
Vagrant Real Estate
Nick Cronin aka Vagrant Real Estate is a producer and DJ from Aberdeen, Scotland, backed by the likes of Complex UK, Ministry of Sound, DJ Mag and the BBC. He has self-released a number of projects with both local and international artists, with his most recent independently funded and produced project “The Iceberg Theory” selling out all 100 vinyl copies during pre-sale. He is also the co-founder of the music & events platform HOURS, created to build infrastructure for independent artists in Aberdeen and champion rising local acts from hip-hop and the wider scene.