At Music Action International we deliver creative and skill-sharing programmes with people in exile, in displaced communities, refugee camps and post conflict settings to improve mental health and well-being, to bring communities together and to speak out against human rights abuses. Currently most of our work is with refugees, asylum seekers and Roma people in the UK.

This collaboration features guest artists Lowkey, Josephine Oniyama and Rioghnach Connolly creating amazing new music with young survivors of war and persecution from Democratic Republic of Congo, Syria, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Sudan, Iran, Iraq who find themselves living in the UK.

The EP has epic, uplifting tunes in-debted to modern dancehall inflected RnB styles, tough percussive dance tunes, mournful yet hopeful love songs about home, conquering your demons and overcoming any challenge. The collaboration produced by Kensaye is an urgent energetic call for equality, rejecting judgement of difference, and embracing our diversity.

We are delighted to be working with our amazing partner organisations British Red Cross, Compass Collective, Amazing People of the World (APOW) via Refugee Youth and the Horizons project at Manchester Settlement Team to make this happen.

MEET OUR INCREDIBLE GUEST ARTISTS…

LOWKEY Guest Artist

A hip hop artist and political campaigner, his critically acclaimed music has received millions of streams on Spotify, sold over 25k albums digitally and garnered over 45 million YouTube views.

” I am excited and honoured to work with this talented group of people expressing themselves in so many beautiful ways. It is vital we join in with the creative ways people who have travelled far and suffered long express themselves, not only to build bonds of stress alleviation but also to document the mosaic of London in 2021.” 

JOSEPHINE ONIYAMA Guest Artist

Described as Manchester’s soulful chanteuse, Josephine released her widely acclaimed debut album ‘Portrait’ to wide critical acclaim. Alongside her songwriting, Josephine has been working with ‘HOME’ in Manchester.

“I wanted to get involved in the work Music Action were doing, because it’s more important than ever to build lines of communication to all corners of society, making sure nobody in the UK is left behind, regardless of immigration status. Music has the ability to make people feel connected and part of something, so it’s a great tool for communication to thrive.” 

RIOGHNACH CONNOLLY Guest Artist

A traditional singer and flautist from Armagh, in the northeast of Ireland. Now based in Manchester, she is a professional musician, vocalist, lyricist, vocal coach, workshop facilitator, community musician, musical activist and humanitarian.

“It is a privilege to work with and be trusted by any community of survivors. Coming from a background of political prisoners, I appreciate the great responsibility of amplifying the voice of an often unheard people”

KENSAYE  Producer & Creative Facilitator

Paris born, London based music producer, composer, engineer, percussionist and facilitator. Inspired by his Haitian roots, he merges Afro-Caribbean rhythms with the energy of Hip Hop and the sounds of Electronic music. 

“We wanted to bring together amazing facilitators and work with young refugees to create an album to share with the world, something raw and honest.”

WE WOULD LOVE YOUR SUPPORT WITH REACHING A WIDER AUDIENCE WITH THIS INCREDIBLE MUSIC. PLEASE FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND SIGN UP TO OUR E-NEWS TO SHARE OUR STORY.

If you know anyone within the PR or Music Industry who can help us reach a wider audience, please get in touch at hello@musicaction.org

Thanks to our amazing partner: