British Africans

Dara Kolajo

History• In the 1990s The British African-Caribbean immigration increased. The

largest concentrations are in London and Birmingham. Traditionally associated with a particular area, such as, Brixton, Harlesden, Stonebridge, Tottenham, Dalston, Lewisham, Peckham in London; and Handsworth and Aston in Birmingham.

• Since World War II British government began to encourage mass immigration from the countries of the British Empire and Commonwealth to fill shortages in the labour market. The ship MV Empire Windrush brought the first group of 492 immigrants. The 1948 British Nationality Act gave British citizenship to all people living in Commonwealth countries, and full rights of entry and settlement in Britain.

Representation in the Media

In terms of the media British Africans as a collective identity do have a negative stigma attached through different forms of media. Boys in particular are mainly associated with gun and knife crime and also drug use but saying this they are also usually the victims. Many were linked with recent riots.

On the positive side, the music industry have been influenced from individuals from Afro-Caribbean roots. For example Tine Tempah, Chipmunk and Wiley. A majority use music to express their emotions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfkfACG7-O0&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL7297A82EEC77D1DF

Kidulthood This film is centred around several teenagers who live in west London. Through the course of the film two particular characters are focused on. Trevor who presented as street smart. He has two other friends and he comes across as the leader. He takes drugs, and deals with guns and to add he gets his former girlfriend pregnant (Alisa), who is the second character the film focuses on. For most part of the film Trevor doesn't plan to stick around and when he does want to make things right he dies . The makers of Kidulthood presents these characters as young, naive and reckless.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XobtSAowtQ

Ashes to Ashes•One particular episode in Ashes to Ashes has an interesting on look on how British Africans are represented. •The characters name is Viv (Geff Francis) and he is a policeman and works alongside Gene and his department. Many Black Africans are used as the criminals so this rejects the stereo-type. •He is taken as a hostage by prisoners during a breakout of riots. Gene does whatever it takes to get Viv in safe terms again as in the hands of these prisoners he is in serious danger. •As the episode unravels Viv is actually there by set up to help his convicted nephew. So quite quickly all sympathy is lost.

Giggs

• Nathaniel Thompson better known by his stage name Giggs or Hollowman, is a English recording artist. He is the leader of Spare No 1 (SN1), alongside his brothers Gunna Dee, Joe Grind, Spender and Young Giggs (YG). He was raised by a single mother, he is the eldest of his siblings, and grew up on the streets of Peckham. He dropped out of school at the age of 16. In 2003 he was sentenced to two years in prison due to weapon charges.

• SN1 crew started off releasing numerous mixtapes which sold more than 10,000 units. This success helped his popularity expand outside London. Giggs first signed to XL Recordings, the record label was allegedly warned by members of Operation Trident to not back the London rapper due to his past charges.

• Walk in da park (2007–2008) Giggs released the street anthem "Talking the Hardest" in 2007, which helped increase his popularity.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JrJSVR_1Uc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EuI2_pjDlM&feature=relmfu

The Future

• A percentage of Black British group do conform to how they are presented in the media. But not everyone can be classified in that way.

• Even though the media can reflect British Africans in a negative light. Individuals that are part of this collective identity have used media as a way to succeed not only through music but in the media industry in general. I think that much more people will use this media attention to thrive and be successful and send a message to the public. Maybe through this stereotype will change.