I’ve never been one to write articles, not having the time is the main reason, but after launching this site I chose to make an effort to do so. 

Cleverly titled ‘Talking Loud, and Saying Something’ a spin on the great James Brown Record. A event held in Italy by a true pioneer. Who encouraged to use my voice to inform and encourage others, telling my story of my love and passion for my art and culture.

Recently I received a few letters, and messages of support from people who have felt a real connection with my work.  One of those was from a Gentleman named Choci from Leeds.  It was a long letter, to be perfectly honest I was so tired when I read it I didn’t not fully digest what he was saying.  I saw that he was offering to help the team, carrying bags or taking pictures.  I wrote back thanking him for his offer and his letter just inquiring if he traveled to London much. We could meet up for a drink and talk about what he could do.  I checked out his photography and saw a lot of scope in taking some behind the scene shots.  I left it as that.

A few days had passed and things here back at home had taken a turn.  Financially I had hit a brick wall, ruined.  My father,  who many years ago got me into cameras, making me do all the filming at the family events.  10 years old walking round carrying a super size camera and video and battery pack over both shoulders, had become frustrated seeing me work so hard and putting so much time and effort into my art for really nothing back that we fell out over it.  My mother in her effort to keep the family together visited me, asking me if I was alright, eating ok, since loosing Giging last year.

She asked why do you do this, why do you work so hard on this for very little back, can you not stop?  I told her I can’t stop, I know and can see something will happen.  This new film can be the beginning of a new life. I always ask my family to come to my house see what I’m working.  I then said, just read some of these letters, look how my work has inspired people.  I then went on to read Choci’s letter.

As I read it out and got to the last paragraph, I took double take at the screen, I’m sure it didn’t read like this the first time I read it’. He was offering to contribute to the project.  The cost of me going back to NYC to finish the film.

My mother was like is he crazy?.  His letter ended with ‘Im not crazy’.  After my mother left I wrote to Choci explaining that It just never sank in what he wrote.  Ive never had a offer like that, so really I think we should meet, so I can find out who you are and you can see who I am.  I think within 20 mins he sent me a message back saying he is up for meeting the weekend.

Sunday came and he was at my house after 10 am.  He sat in my kitchen and told me a story of how 30 years ago we wrote Morgan Khan, a letter like the one he wrote to me, which lead to him working at Street Sounds and on the Electro’s. 

After going through some life changing experiences,  having his whole record collection stolen he lost a part of his soul.  Focusing more on his career and developing himself.  He went on to make a success of himself.  Passionate about things creative, he took up photography.

Somehow he came across my site and saw the trailer for the new film.  He felt a connection to my work ethic and life trials.  We sat and talked until 5pm.  I showed him the studio and a lot of the old, hidden movies I had worked on.

I remembered back to when I first met Marley Marl and how he gave me a lot of time, gave me a chance to show him what I was about leading to him allowing me to visit his home and shoot lots of film.  Although I’m not making any money. I have always tried to pass on knowledge or help others if I can.

Choci revealed his name was Paul and that he had supported my project and purchased the poster then made the offer again of financially helping towards the project.  After thinking long and hard about it, so many times I’ve turned down help as I wanted everything to be my work, I agreed to his offer as long as he joined me on the trip as photographer, capturing the behind the scenes.

I don’t know how this happened or if this is for real.  I keep thinking I’m going to wake up from a dream.  Maybe sometimes the message or the ideas you put out there really do have a effect on people