The ‘Home from Home’ project aims to explore the legacies of pioneering British Nigerians in the UK and their impact on society. The project highlights and celebrates British Nigerian contributions to the cultural, political, educational, artistic, spiritual, and sporting life of Britain and London, in particular. In this interview we feature Musician, Producer and Conceptual Artist Lekan Babalola.
Your Bio/What do you do?
I am a Composer/Musician/Producer and a Conceptual Artist
What does “Home From Home” mean to you?
Where I am comfortable to be myself and allow myself to practise my arts creativity .
How do you celebrate your Nigerian heritage?
I do not see myself as a Nigerian, but for a Yoruba person with my Heritage which is celebrated through my work as an artist.
What does being “British Nigerian” mean to you?
I see myself as a Yoruba person with colonial British education who grew up in a Nigerian project designed by the British government. If someone is proud of their dual heritage, is a good thing , but as for me, I am Yoruba person who came from Yorubaland learn to lived with English culture, which I found there are similarities with Yoruba culture that I grew up with in Nigeria project , in that respect I see myself as A Yoruba person with some English sensibility .
How do you stay connected to your identity?
Through being a Yoruba way of life practising artist and regular visit to my place of birth, which I am grateful.
What does culture mean to you?
Great Marcus Garvey, said “a people without knowledge of their past history, origin, and culture is like a tree without roots.” Trees that are not firmly rooted in rich, fertile soil do not grow, do not bear fruit, they cannot withstand strong wind, or bear heavy loads.
My culture to me is everything of who I am and the root to my existence for cultural humanitarian exchange with good intention to fellow human being.
What do you imagine the future of the British Nigerian Community to look like in the next few years based on your industry?
I imagine the future of Nigerians who are either born or relocating to the British Isles, is a growing community which shall continue to develop, especially within the arts and creativity economy industry. Example of this is the manifestation of the new Afrobeats movement within the Young British multicultural community.
Links to website/Social Media:
https://www.facebook.com/lekan.babalola
lekanbabalola@instagram
