AMPLIFI Feb 2023

The Queen's Hall presents Season 2 of our gig series showcasing the sounds of modern Scotland.

Part of Independent Venue Week 2023.

With artists hand-picked by guest curators Arusa Qureshi and Halina Rifai of We Are Here Scotland - staged in our intimate performance space - AMPLIFI presents an exciting opportunity to see new and rising artists in a setting designed to amplify their voices and put them centre stage.

PERFORMERS:

Supermann on da beat is a Scottish producer who brings a blend of influences across genres, from hip-hop to metal and pop, to create unique beats and tracks without borders.

He started producing beats in his bedroom during the covid crises and has now started working and producing for a number of artists from all over the world including the USA, the UK, Scandinavia, and South America. His music is a creative blend of influences from rock bands like Nirvana, Linkin Park and Slipknot to Juice WRLD and Lil Peep as well rappers like 2Pac, bringing something new and fresh.

With radio play across Scotland including BBC Introducing and support from across the scene, things are looking up for the multi-genre producer. Outside of music, Supermann is a content creator typically raising awareness of issues facing disabled people. He is also is the editor of Hip Hop Scotland.

As someone with a disability, Supermann is proud to illustrate that anything is possible, despite living in a world where disabled artists are chronically underrepresented.

Supermann will be joined by guest performers MC Salum, Enji, and Aaron Wilson on guitar.

randombrownkid is a Glasgow-based rapper/pop artist/producer who has been active since 2015 with his eclectic blend of lofi-rap and r’n’b inspired by artists such as Tyler, the Creator, Frank Ocean and SZA.

He intends to make music which the people can cry and dance to, whichever comes first, touching on topics such as difficult relationships, and the turmoil of dating in the 21st century, trying to create music that people relate to while keeping a personal touch to the lyrical content.

Randombrownkid has reached large audiences through his Soundcloud releases as well as achieving radio play on the BBC Asian Network - as their 'Introducing Artist of the Week' - and BBC Scotland on their 'Introducing' show. As a brown artist in a predominantly non-brown music scene in Glasgow he is excited to see the representation grow and for South Asian artists to be given more time in the limelight.

Viv Latifa is a singer-songwriter from Italy, now based in Scotland. Her amazing voice and talent come from her multicultural background, which meshes with her chosen music genres including Contemporary R&B, Latin music and Afrobeat.

From the age of 6 years old, she started to perform in church and theatres (musicals), showcasing her interest in acting and dance. Now she performs across Italy and Scotland and supports and collaborates with other independent artists. A passionate artist, she is devoted to music and working hard to share a meaningful message with the world.

CURATORS:

Arusa Qureshi is an award-winning writer, editor and speaker with a passion for music, diversity and accessibility within arts and culture. Her book about women in UK hip hop, ‘Flip the Script’, is out now via 404 Ink. She has bylines in The Guardian, NME, Clash, Time Out, The Forty-Five and The Scotsman.

Halina Rifai is a podcast producer, music writer, PR & digital marketer. She founded music site Podcart in 2009 and went on to become a podcast producer, working with the likes of BBC Scotland, The Big Light, Mental Health Foundation, Fringe of Colour and more. She works in PR & Marketing with Scottish Women Inventing Music and Dardishi: a creative platform for Arab & North African women and gender monitories.

Supported by Creative Scotland and the City of Edinburgh Council.

Winner of the Creative Edinburgh 'Inclusion' Award.