Pass The Torch For Ty: 5th Anniversary

Pass The Torch For Ty: A Living Legacy Celebration

Five years on, UK hip hop pioneer Ty's spirit lives stronger than ever. Join us for an extraordinary evening where cutting-edge storytelling meets musical legacy to honour one of homegrown hip hop's most influential artists.

• Date: Sunday 17th August 2025
• Time: 7:00pm - 10:00pm (show starts 7.45pm)
• Venue: Brixton Blues Kitchen, 40 Acre Lane, London SW2 5SP

Why This Matters

On 7 May 2020, we lost Benedict Chijioke - better known as Ty - a visionary emcee who didn't just make music, he made culture. His Mercury Prize-nominated album Upwards and collaborations with legends like Roots Manuva and De La Soul helped define what UK hip hop could be. But Ty was more than an artist - he was a teacher, a mentor, and a voice for the voiceless.

This isn't just another memorial gig. We're creating something Ty would be proud of: a transformational experience that pushes boundaries whilst honouring tradition. Through innovative storytelling and live performance, we're keeping his revolutionary spirit alive and ensuring his influence reaches new generations.

What You'll Experience

Live Performances from:

• Eska - Acclaimed UK singer-songwriter of Zimbabwean heritage magically weaving together jazz, soul and music from across the diaspora
• Skeme - Pioneering UK Rap legend and founder of the prestigious 'Sterling Collat' collective, his decades of uncompromising artistry and mentoring makes the Depford don a definitive benchmark for authentic emceeing.
• DJ Maintain - Versatile London-born turntablist, producer and ItchFM radio host now bridging UK hip hop with Kampala's vibrant music scene
• Watusi87 – A Master Craftsman of words, the Ladbroke Grove raised lyricist has become widely recognised as a rising force in conscious rap
• TrueMendous - A master of the multisyllabic rhyme scheme, this Birmingham born lyricist combines 'ear clenching wordplay', bizarre punch lines and poetry to cuts through the noise
• Apex Zero - Multi-disciplinary Drummer, Warrior and Storyteller harnessing emcing, live music and film to evoke ancestral stories
• Karl Hinds - Veteran storyteller and cultural guardian, this award-winning UK Hip Hop rapper, producer, and entrepreneur founded Ill Flava Records while preserving the essence of the culture through his authentic narratives and business acumen.
• Artcha - Lyrical wordsmith, maverick producer, host and one third of the FRSHRZ collective

Host: Fusion

Pioneering music journalist and MTV Base presnter who championed Ty from his early career, later writing sleeve notes for the debut album "Awkward" and producing a remix of "Wait A Minute" from the breakthrough sophomore release "Upward; Fusion has establishing himself as a highly regarded festival host, founder of culture platform BMTstories and the driving force behind live hip hop storytelling movement SUPERORGANIC.

DJ: Nikki Stylus

Passionate old school hip hop specialist and radio presenter of BoomBox Therapy on behindagroove.com, spreading love and positivity through the culture while challenging systems that oppose authentic hip hop values.

Premiere of Five Animated Shorts

Experience five stunning animatied shorts that reimagine Ty's iconic album covers - from Awkward (2001) to A Work of Heart (2018). Conceived and directed by Alain 'Fusion' Clapham (SUPERORGANIC) in partnership with George Malsbury Films, these aren't your typical music videos; they're transformational pieces that blend digital innovation with analogue soul, telling Ty's story in ways that honour his maverick spirit.

Directions to The Blues Kitchen - Brixton

The following transport lines have routes that pass near The Blues Kitchen - Brixton:

Bus: 123, 132, 177, 216, 337 Train: Great Northern, Southeastern, Thameslink, Mildmay Line, Overground Tube: Northern, Victoria

Supporting Our Community

Money raised will support Brixton Soup Kitchen, keeping Ty's spirit of community care alive. When you buy a ticket, you're not just attending an event - you're feeding people, supporting your neighbourhood, and embodying the values Ty lived by.

What Makes This Special

This event launches Prompt Response, a revolutionary storytelling company, founded by Alain 'Fusion' Clapham, George Malsbury, Rishma Dhaliwal and Lekan Latinwo. Working alongisde Skandouz - emcee, educator and orginal torch bearer, this isn't just an event - it's the beginning of a movement to ensure important stories never get forgotten.

"When we honour those who are no longer here, we have to evoke their energy and create something that they would be proud of," says Fusion. "Ty was always an innovator and a maverick, so I felt compelled to find a new way to tell his story."

The Bigger Picture

This celebration creates a living archive of Ty's influence, encouraging community members to share their own stories and memories. Through social media engagement and interactive elements, we're building something that extends far beyond one evening - a lasting tribute that grows with every person who joins us.

Share your Ty memories:

#WhatsYourTy

"Ty is one of the pillars of this homegrown hip-hop culture, but he was also my friend from a time when we were all trying to find our way in our early 20s. It's a real full-circle moment to create something new and exciting for an artist who I championed from day one." - Fusion

This is your invitation to be part of history - to celebrate, to remember, and to ensure Ty's revolutionary spirit continues to inspire.

A Body of Work

Ty's five groundbreaking albums established him as one of Britain's most influential rappers, leaving an enduring legacy that continues to inspire generations of artists and cement his place as a cornerstone of the UK scene. Here's a taste of his catalogue in anticipatipn of the show and our forthcominh series of animated shorts.