Unspoken: African Dialogues

African influences in Britain

African influences have inspired new forms of expression changing the face of contemporary performing arts in the UK. The rich cultural contribution of artists from countries such as Nigeria, Senegal, Kenya and Zimbabwe has brought different perspectives to contemporary music and dance in the UK.

Influential Africans

Cynthia Erivo

Born in Stockwell to Nigerian parents. She is a Black British singer and actor who is most known for her performance in the 2015–2017 Broadway revival of The Colour Purple, for which she received the Grammy for most Musical Theatre Album and the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical in 2016.  

Adjoa Andoh

A British Actress. She has appeared in series like Doctor Who, as Francine Jones, East Enders and many more. She made her Hollywood debut in 2009, starring as Nelson Mandela in Clint Eastwood.

Mo Farah

Sir Mohamed Muktar Jama Farah known as Mo Farah, CBE considered the greatest runner of all time is a British-Somali multiple Olympic gold medallist and long-distance runner.

Michaela Coel

Born in East London, Michaela Ewuraba Boakye-Collinson is a Ghanaian Actress and screenwriter, she is known for her award-winning shows ‘Chewing Gum’ and ‘I May Destroy You’, and has appeared in film, TV and theatre productions.

Stormzy

Micheal Ebenezer Kwadjo Omari Owuo junior, known professionally as Stormzy, is a British rapper, singer and songwriter. He gained recognition in 2014 with his freestyle in the UK underground music scene through his Wicked Skengman series of freestyles.