We Are Here Scotland presents INCUBATA

We Are Here Scotland presents INCUBATA

In 2022 We Are Here Scotland started an incubation programme to nurture, mentor and develop BPoC (Black People and People of Colour) Scotland-based creatives. The initial pilot welcomes 4 creators from different areas of the creative industries. Musicians Danny Cliff and EYVE, Visual Artist Kumi McKenna and Event Manager Raymond Igbinoke. Aberdeen’s Vagrant Real Estate headlines the event and is joined by special guests from the world of Rap/Hip-Hop and R&B.

Danny Cliff

Born in Nigeria and raised in Austria, singer-songwriter Danny Cliff now calls Edinburgh home. Gaining his love of music through attending church in Austria, it was a double-edged sword as the country’s music scene didn’t live up to expectations but that all changes when he moved to Scotland. His love for music flooded back when he was submerged into the bubbling music scene of Edinburgh. The experience of witnessing the local diversity and musical landscape excited Danny and pushed him back into action and into a range of music including R&B, Soul, Pop, Afro, Gospel, Dance and Hip-hop. Inspired by lived experience his balmy vocals transport his listeners to places of blessed respite. Danny’s notable achievements already include BBC Introducing airplay on BBC Radio Scotland and BBC 1Xtra, he has been a Scottish Alternative Music Awards Best Newcomer Award nominee, and performed at last year’s Celtic Connects at Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall.

Eyve

Originally from Zimbabwe and now based in Scotland, Eyve realised that music and singing was something she wanted to pursue thanks to her church choir. As a queer person, Eyve felt her faith being challenged due to rejection based on her identity and this helped shape her musical path and still does. Rap was a strong means of expression and in 2019, she started to feel empowered to sing and rap about subjects such as feminism, self love, confidence and politics. Hip Hop, pop R&B, reggae, her African roots and jazz continue to influence and inspire the young artist and music continues to let her express a creativity in her soul and body that nothing else does. Growing as a new queer, Black artist in Scotland has given Eyve the chance to face her true self and also opportunities to collaborate with a number of notable figures and organisations including Cryptic, We Are Here Scotland, Mental Health Foundation, Scottish Refugee Council and more. This year also sees her working closely with Musicians in Exile, SoundLab and MusicSpace on an upcoming EP

Kumi McKenna

Kumi McKenna is a designer with a love of humour, texture and printmaking. She takes elements from her mixed Japanese Scottish background to implement ‘kawaii’ motifs with some Scottish humour. More recently she has been exploring the Scottish Asian experience, and how it has impacted her and other people of colour.

“I’m so excited to be a part of INCUBATA and explore new areas I would not have the opportunity to. I hope to use my newly developed skills to create positive work for other people around me.”