Favela Rising's Legacy: How a Documentary Shaped Kinetika Bloco's Youth Music Mission
In a personal essay featured in The Guardian, an anonymous writer recounts their transition from a classical music background in Great Yarmouth to directing Kinetika Bloco, a youth charity in London that empowers young individuals through carnival music and dance. The writer, who pursued music studies in London, became involved with Kinetika Bloco in 2004, an organization established by Mat Fox. Inspired by the 2005 documentary 'Favela Rising,' which showcases Anderson Sá's AfroReggae initiative, the author highlights the importance of community and alternative opportunities for youth. Kinetika Bloco has evolved from a summer school into year-round programs at the Southbank Centre, producing notable alumni such as Femi and Ife from Ezra Collective. This essay is part of The Guardian's 'My cultural awakening' series.
Key facts
- The author grew up in Great Yarmouth learning classical music and moved to London at 18 to study music at university.
- In 2004, the author joined Kinetika Bloco, a summer school using carnival music and dance for south London kids.
- Kinetika Bloco was founded by Mat Fox and named after Brazilian blocos.
- The film 'Favela Rising' documented Anderson Sá, a drug trafficker turned social revolutionary who founded AfroReggae in Rio's slums.
- Kinetika Bloco grew to run holiday programmes, workshops, and after-school clubs across London, operating from the Southbank Centre.
- Ezra Collective's Femi and Ife met as teenagers at Kinetika Bloco; Femi completed the leadership programme.
- Kinetika Bloco performed with AfroReggae after they approached the organization during a London visit.
- The essay is part of The Guardian's 'My cultural awakening' series on documentary films.
Entities
Artists
- Anderson Sá
- Femi
- Ife
- Jorja Smith
- Mat Fox
- Martin O'Neill
- Temi Adegbayibi
Institutions
- Kinetika Bloco
- AfroReggae
- Ezra Collective
- Southbank Centre
- The Guardian
Locations
- Great Yarmouth
- London
- Rio de Janeiro
- New Orleans
- Cape Town
- Brazil
- United Kingdom