Catch the Ezra Team as They Showcase the Kinetika Bloco Youth Club at BBC 6 Music Festival

Ezra Collective Collaborates with Kinetika Bloco

Ezra Collective invited the London youth club Kinetika Bloco to perform at the BBC 6 Music Festival. Check out more below.

• Read more: Ezra Collective: “If someone is in the British, because we inspired them, then we lasted forever”

Highlights from the Festival Performance

On Thursday (March 27), the Manchester festival marked a significant moment during their headline performance.

“6 Music made it clear that they wanted the concert to feel different, to have a specific theme, and they allowed us to choose it ourselves,” said Femi Kuleooso. “Every time we have a decision to make as Ezra, we always prioritize what we believe is the most honest.”

“You must tell the truth, and the truth is that if we want to celebrate anything, it should be the celebration of all youth clubs and all schools that teach young people to play music.”

Then, the group welcomed the London youth club, who were wearing T-shirts emblazoned with the slogan “Youth clubs change lives,” on stage for a lively rendition of “God Gave Me Legs for Dancing,” from their upcoming 2024 album “Dance, No One Looks.”

Kinetika Bloco is a youth musical charity that features young brass and woodwind players, drummers, steel pan musicians, and dancers, drawing inspiration from Caribbean, Brazilian, African, and New Orleans music. Check out the moment below.

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Support for Youth Initiatives

The Ezra Collective frequently advocates for youth clubs. In 2024, they discussed with NME the significance of supporting youth initiatives nationwide, expressing that they would focus their efforts on helping as many centers as possible if they had “McCartney money.”

A year prior, when the London quintet became the first jazz act to receive the prestigious Mercury Prize, they used their platform to thank music education initiatives across Great Britain that helped not only them but also countless others begin their careers in music.

“The Ezra Collective represents something truly special because we formed in a youth club. This moment we celebrate here today illustrates the importance of dedicated individuals who invest their time and efforts into helping young people play music,” Kuleooso stated during the 2023 ceremony.

He continued: “Right now, this achievement is not just a win for Ezra Collective; it is a significant moment for every organization across the country that empowers young people to play music.

“Big Up Tomorrow Warriors, Big Up Kinetika Bloco, Big Up Brit School, Big Up Elam (Eastern London Art and Music), Big Up Jubilee Youth, Big Up Audioactive. Let me tell you something crucial: we have something special in the UK. We have something unique, particularly in our young musicians, so let’s continue to support this.”

“Dance, No One Looks,” said NME last year. “On their third album, the five members pivot their jazz style into Hard Funk, Dub, Neo-Soul, Afrobeat, and Highlife,” it mentions. “From the jubilant ‘Hear My Scream’ to the vibrant vibes reminiscent of Fela Kuti, you know this record will sound even better live.”