Many Rivers

That's a (series one) wrap! In today's ep we’re looking back at the DIY culture, community roots, and genre-bending stories that shaped Many Rivers so far. From Soul II Soul tees to steelpan in UK schools, from Brit Funk to grime, the key stories, lessons, and laughs are all here. Follow the show and get in touch: Email the team at manyriverspod@gmail.com | Follow the show on Instagram and BlueSky...

Educator, musician, and pioneer of the UK steelpan movement Lionel McCalman joins the show this week. Lionel, Rotimi and Lloyd take a seat at our roundtable to trace the roots of steelpan from Trinidad to UK schools, exploring how the instrument evolved from community tradition to national symbol - and how it’s still shaping identity, education, and British Black culture today. Follow the show and...

Soulful songstress Jaz Karis joins the podcast this week to reflect on her debut album Safe Flight , the challenges of categorising R&B, and how streaming, accent bias, and genre politics affect UK Black artists. Follow the show and get in touch: Email the team at manyriverspod@gmail.com | Follow the show on Instagram and BlueSky Listen to the Spotify playlist here Lloyd is the co-curator of B...

Founding members of Light of the World, Kenny Wellington and Breeze McKrieth, join us this week to talk about the origins and legacy of Brit Funk. From their early days forming bands at college, to influencing a generation of UK pop, jazz, and soul artists, the duo take us on a journey of lasting cultural impact. Plus: Tales of legendary club Crackers, and sessions with Spandau Ballet. Follow the...

Rotimi and Lloyd sit down with Cookie Pryce of Cookie Crew to trace the rise of British Black hip-hop: from the South London youth clubs of Battersea to the heart of New York’s hip-hop scene in the Bronx. Cookie shares how Cookie Crew carved space for women in rap, and what it meant to build something from scratch - no blueprint, no permission, just passion! Follow the show and get in touch: Email...

This week Rotimi and Lloyd are joined by the one and only Jazzie B, founder of Soul II Soul. From DIY merch shops, to the evolution of UK club culture, Jazzie shares his experiences of building a musical movement from the ground up. Featuring tales of t-shirts, tea-making, and transforming basements into barbershops. A must-listen for anyone into British soul, street culture, and the roots of UK m...

This week Lloyd and Rotimi are joined by jazz icon Courtney Pine, as they explore the roots and evolution of jazz in the UK. Together they trace the journey of jazz from African-American community music to a uniquely British sound and expression. They talk culture, gatekeeping, community, and why real jazz is all about live energy. This one’s a deep and vibrant dive into what keeps the genre alive...

Our first episode of Many Rivers is an opportunity to get to know your hosts Lloyd and Rotimi before we bring the guests into the conversation. In this opening ep Lloyd and Ro discuss the motivations and aims behind the series: keeping stories alive, and connecting music to the culture that created it. To kick things off, the roots and growth of Notting Hill Carnival are given some exploration, bu...

Join author and cultural historian Lloyd Bradley and poet/music creative Rotimi Skyers as they explore the sounds and stories that have defined British Black music. Each week Lloyd and Rotimi welcome legendary musicians and leading cultural icons to the Warner Music studios for a candid and in-depth roundtable chat. Expect spirited debates, deep dives, total tangents, and a celebration of the voic...