Photography- @emilinho96_ph
Styling- @s.ar.ai
Makeup- @arievmua
Set design- @indigodreams_studio
Styling asst-@sharandeep__
Photography asst-@xxw00shyw0rldxx

For nearly every millennial and early Gen Z who grew up in a diverse part of the UK will know at least one song from the subculture groups of Jungle, Funky house, Grime and UK Garage whether you were old enough to attend a rave back in the day or tuned into a pirate radio station, you’ll remember just how nostalgic times like those were and how they unified our communities.

But as the industry moves so does the musical paradigm and we see a shift in which genre will gain mainstream popularity. Understanding why certain musical genres gain such widespread attention is important to acknowledge when discussing subcultures who’s geographical origins hail from the most minortised communities.

An example of this- when Grime became part of UK counterculture back in 2011 thanks to some London rappers like Skepta but many will remember or know through music archives just where and when Grime was actually birthed (somewhat in the early 2000’s in London) but due to policing the artistic voices of those within the scene who came from underrepresented backgrounds, Grime was instantly criminalised.

If we take another step back into time, specifically a decade before we see Grime’s predecessor Garage take its 2 stepping reign in popular culture. The synthful vocal harmonies, electronic beats and influences of soul and dancehall’s what shaped Garage’s unique authenticity. At the height of its popularity, young ravers would dress head to toe in their best garms (usually designer) and the scene became a safe space for young people [particularly for those who had been discriminated against in the mainstream club scene. Garage raves were a way for folks to express themselves in their truest forms.

Still to this day. Many of us from those same communities seek to find inspiration and ways to express ourselves whether it’s through music or fashion. Restricted representation in mass media limits what we see which is why we so heavily take inspiration from the people before us.

Birmingham based Singer-songwriter Ameenah who’s music style creates a nostalgic fusion of both 90’s R&B and UKGarage acknowledges the importance of representation in the music industry. In a recent interview, the musician explains the need for more womxn to be included at festival lineups and how her own individual style may encourage others from similar communities.

Growing up in the UK’s second largest city, the cultural diversity of Birmingham shaped Ameenah’s identity and style of music. The singer discusses how she grew up listening to the likes of Katy B, Lauryn Hill and TuPac and how she hopes to one day collaborate with fellow West Midlands artist Jorja Smith.

Do you think subcultures like UKGarage and Grime ever went away or do they still have a permanent residency in our communities?

I don’t think they ever went away, for example, events- anytime you’re in Birmingham if Garage or FunkyHouse is being played a lot of the time it will be the old school songs.I think Garage comes in peaks and flows, because it’s so embedded in UK culture.

Do you feel a certain pressure to represent your community as a non white musician?

When you’re a minority people have a lot more stereotypes. People assume that you represent others, I don’t represent anyone else, I represent myself. But at the same time because of the lack of representation and because people who look like me aren’t in these spaces there’s a responsibility to represent my community to an extent.

How are you finding the industry as a female singer who isn’t from London?

I think not being from London gives me a certain underdog edge, people take a liking to the Brum energy. I would say one of the disadvantages about being outside of London is the lack of opportunities.

Following on from the previous question, what opportunities would you like to see for womxn in the music industry?

I would like to see more platforms and discussions for artists from the North and West midlands. As a female musician I find that womxn aren’t on enough festival line ups, whenever I read a line up announcement, the theme tune from Two and a Half Men plays in my head. Male artists are more inclined to collaborate,whereas female artists a lot more compared and pinned against each other whilst male artists are encouraged to make songs together.

It’s super clear from mine and Ameenah’s conversation that subgenres like UKG,bassline and Grime are still heavily embedded in our culture both up North and in the West Midlands, the music allows us to see representation and create our own sounds from our distinctive stories and experiences. Like Ameenah, 2023 brings hope for more Northern musicians to become platformed. From Bradford born Nia Archives storming her way to the top, there’s definitely space for even more names in the scene to receive the recognition they deserve.

Artist Spotlight Ameenah