EP23 - BASS CULTURE ADVOCATE - Jean-Claude Lionbeat

Owner of Lionbeat, a company that advocates for bass culture and black music. Jean-Claude was born and raised in Brentwood. Bass culture happened when the sound systems from the Caribbean travelled to Europe and eventually African diasporic culture. Bringing people together with a uniform love for bass. People immigrated to Britain and brought over sound system culture - Bass and dance was a ritualistic behaviour for these people. Peace, love and unity in the dance. Lionbeat is the ‘barristers for bass’. Jean-Claude initially went to university to study law, and wanted to move as far as possible from the culture at home to grow and study. In Hull there was a black box nightclub called The Room, he got exposed drum and bass legends and met other DJs around the university. They started to put events on together. Learning law helped advocating for bass culture. Using his position to be able to build trust between the community and the establishment for creativity. The importance of seeing people like you in culture making culture. Knowledge is power, and knowing how the power system works. How it is hard to get into the mainstream power structure when you are different. How do you own yourself and present yourself in situations. Working in the city, spending earnings wisely - ‘Some people like to play golf, i like to put on parties!’ How to program a line up at a night to get people in, and to give up and coming artists a platform. Economic capital, social capital, cultural capital and symbolic capital. Being militant with your diligence. Be fully committed to anything you care about. How community music events teach young people how to be creative in events, music, production. Lionbeat sound system event at Somerset House in London featuring Lionpulse sound system, the most beautiful sound system in the world. Combined with the Black Unity Bike Ride, black community cycle event with 2000 cyclists, including Jean-Claude’s mobile soundsystem bike. Lionbeat’s bass culture production arm is called BASSIS (Bass And Sound System Institute Streaming). Aiming towards an institute grade building for bass culture in the UK. Jaiden tags in as guest co-host to ask some questions. We find out about the Unity Bike Ride - BCCS - Black Cyclists Changemaker Solidarity. A ride to take alms to the homeless, new sleeping mats, warm jackets, water etc. Jean-Claude created a mobile sound system on his cargo bike. Taking the music to the people. He even cycled the sound system to Haarlem in The Netherlands. Jean-Claude has been working with Hard Art - a study in community led activism and putting collaboration before competition. Producing a night for sound system culture in Manchester. https://www.somersethouse.org.uk/residents/lionbeathttps://www.instagram.com/lionbeat/Are You Creative? recorded by Nick at City SoundEdited by Nick HearneArtwork by Alpaca AntennaDon't forget to like, subscribe, share and all the good stuff.Follow our Instagram for latest news and behind the scenes photos  Send comments, questions, or suggestions for fascinating creative people in Essex give us a shout on our Instagram Thanks to NGDA for their support