Many Rivers
Many Rivers

Many Rivers

Warner Music Entertainment

Overview
Episodes

Details

Join author and cultural historian Lloyd Bradley and poet/music creative Rotimi Skyers as they explore the sounds and stories that have defined British Black music. Each week Lloyd and Rotimi welcome legendary musicians and leading cultural icons to the Warner Music studios for a candid and in-depth roundtable chat. Expect spirited debates, deep dives, total tangents, and a celebration of the voices and movements that set British Blackness apart. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recent Episodes

Lloyd and Rotimi • Series 1 wrap up
JUL 15, 2025
Lloyd and Rotimi • Series 1 wrap up

That's a (series one) wrap! In today's ep we’re looking back at the DIY culture, community roots, and genre-bending stories that shaped Many Rivers so far. From Soul II Soul tees to steelpan in UK schools, from Brit Funk to grime, the key stories, lessons, and laughs are all here.


Follow the show and get in touch:

Email the team at [email protected] | Follow the show on Instagram and BlueSky


Listen to the Spotify playlist here


Lloyd is the co-curator of Black Sound London: The Story of British Black Music, an exhibition currently on at the Barbican Library from 10 Mar to 19 Jul 2025

More information here


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A Warner Music Entertainment podcast, produced by Darkside Media.

Produced by Tom Dark for Darkside Media, and Sorcha Macdonald for Warner Music Entertainment. Edited by Pete Vuckovic.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

play-circle icon
45 MIN
Lionel McCalman • Steelpan, schools, and Carnival
JUL 8, 2025
Lionel McCalman • Steelpan, schools, and Carnival

Educator, musician, and pioneer of the UK steelpan movement Lionel McCalman joins the show this week. Lionel, Rotimi and Lloyd take a seat at our roundtable to trace the roots of steelpan from Trinidad to UK schools, exploring how the instrument evolved from community tradition to national symbol - and how it’s still shaping identity, education, and British Black culture today.


Follow the show and get in touch:

Email the team at [email protected] | Follow the show on Instagram and BlueSky


Listen to the Spotify playlist here


Lloyd is the co-curator of Black Sound London: The Story of British Black Music, an exhibition currently on at the Barbican Library from 10 Mar to 19 Jul 2025

More information here


__________


A Warner Music Entertainment podcast, produced by Darkside Media.

Produced by Tom Dark for Darkside Media, and Sorcha Macdonald for Warner Music Entertainment. Edited by Pete Vuckovic.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

play-circle icon
49 MIN
Jaz Karis • R&B, authenticity, and defining genres
JUL 1, 2025
Jaz Karis • R&B, authenticity, and defining genres

Soulful songstress Jaz Karis joins the podcast this week to reflect on her debut album Safe Flight, the challenges of categorising R&B, and how streaming, accent bias, and genre politics affect UK Black artists.


Follow the show and get in touch:

Email the team at [email protected] | Follow the show on Instagram and BlueSky


Listen to the Spotify playlist here


Lloyd is the co-curator of Black Sound London: The Story of British Black Music, an exhibition currently on at the Barbican Library from 10 Mar to 19 Jul 2025

More information here


__________


A Warner Music Entertainment podcast, produced by Darkside Media.

Produced by Tom Dark for Darkside Media, and Sorcha Macdonald for Warner Music Entertainment. Edited by Pete Vuckovic.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

play-circle icon
44 MIN
Kenny Wellington & Breeze McKrieth • Brit Funk, Light Of The Word, and lasting legacy
JUN 24, 2025
Kenny Wellington & Breeze McKrieth • Brit Funk, Light Of The Word, and lasting legacy

Founding members of Light of the World, Kenny Wellington and Breeze McKrieth, join us this week to talk about the origins and legacy of Brit Funk. From their early days forming bands at college, to influencing a generation of UK pop, jazz, and soul artists, the duo take us on a journey of lasting cultural impact. Plus: Tales of legendary club Crackers, and sessions with Spandau Ballet.


Follow the show and get in touch:

Email the team at [email protected] | Follow the show on Instagram and BlueSky


Listen to the Spotify playlist here


Lloyd is the co-curator of Black Sound London: The Story of British Black Music, an exhibition currently on at the Barbican Library from 10 Mar to 19 Jul 2025

More information here


__________


A Warner Music Entertainment podcast, produced by Darkside Media.

Produced by Tom Dark for Darkside Media, and Sorcha Macdonald for Warner Music Entertainment. Edited by Pete Vuckovic.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

play-circle icon
77 MIN
Cookie Pryce • Cookie Crew, from Battersea to The Bronx
JUN 17, 2025
Cookie Pryce • Cookie Crew, from Battersea to The Bronx

Rotimi and Lloyd sit down with Cookie Pryce of Cookie Crew to trace the rise of British Black hip-hop: from the South London youth clubs of Battersea to the heart of New York’s hip-hop scene in the Bronx. Cookie shares how Cookie Crew carved space for women in rap, and what it meant to build something from scratch - no blueprint, no permission, just passion!


Follow the show and get in touch:

Email the team at [email protected] | Follow the show on Instagram and BlueSky


Listen to the Spotify playlist here


Lloyd is the co-curator of Black Sound London: The Story of British Black Music, an exhibition currently on at the Barbican Library from 10 Mar to 19 Jul 2025

More information here


__________


A Warner Music Entertainment podcast, produced by Darkside Media.

Produced by Tom Dark for Darkside Media, and Sorcha Macdonald for Warner Music Entertainment. Edited by Pete Vuckovic.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

play-circle icon
76 MIN