In Conversation: Ric Flo
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Music
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IN CONVERSATION: RIC FLO
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Words by Luc Hinson
Artwork by Sam Douglas
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Ric Flo, is a Rapper, Graphic Designer, Immigrant, Black British Citizen and former foster child. Now, a talented musician forming part of Jungle Brown, Ric wants to give back. He runs Rap Therapy Workshops with foster kids and views it his mission to help misfits feel more at home.
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BB: Hey Ric, thanks for sitting down with us, you’re quite the multi faceted individual, give our readers a breakdown of what you do...
All good, I pride myself on being a renaissance man, a creative person who doesn't place limit on himself. Or better yet, a creative person who has had access to a computer, camera and the wealth of the internet. So there is no excuse for not knowing how to do something that I’m curious about and love.
BB: Why did you decide to set up your workshops, and what do they entail?
Rap workshops also known as Rap Therapy workshops came about because I created a hip-hop album about my experience in foster care which was therapeutic for me. Social Services heard the project and wanted me to help young people in foster care express themselves in a positive way. I saw the impact of this project and it inspired me to share my passion for music and help others from disadvantaged backgrounds like me. I never saw myself as a ‘teacher’ so the workshop style has been evolving over the last few years but I feel pretty confident in my approach now to effectively help others.
BB: Your journey is an inspiring one Ric, and to see you running workshops for foster children, is truly inspirational. Is it important, that the children see someone who shares some of the same lived experiences as them leading these workshops?
Music in itself is a powerful tool that we all connect with, especially young people. If you can share the same lived experiences with young people that is a powerful connection that could change the way they look at themselves.
If I knew Eddie Murphy, DMX or The Game were in foster care when I was a kid I could have felt more reassured and confident about my future.
And when you see most of the statistics of foster children and care leavers, they’re not that positive so I hope to change that narrative directly talking to the heart of the community rather than speaking through a vacuum that's not direct to them.
BB: What role has music played in you life Ric?
Music has been my therapy, my muse, my joy. Chuck D said Hip-hop is the black CNN, so in that case it’s a source of knowledge for what’s going on in black people’s lives. And growing up in Bournemouth where I was one of the few black people in my school, it was nice to feel a bit more homely via the connection of music.
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"MUSIC IN ITSELF IS A POWERFUL TOOL THAT WE ALL CONNECT WITH, ESPECIALLY YOUNG PEOPLE. IF YOU CAN SHARE THE SAME LIVED EXPERIENCES WITH YOUNG PEOPLE THAT IS A POWERFUL CONNECTION..."
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BB: When did your passion for music develop into Jungle Brown?
After my solo project, a few music mates I knew from Bournemouth wanted to get a studio for solo projects in London. Jungle Brown was a side project at first! And turned out to be the major thing that got us signed! I think listeners hear the fun and camaraderie of how we make music together. In retrospect made us better artists via collaboration.
BB: What does Britishness mean to you in the 21st Century?
Being British and Nigerian, I feel it’s a hard question to answer. I would say Britishness for me is about duality, it's multifaceted, a rich mix regardless of Brexit. Often confusing, often stuck up, denies history, ‘we are the best’ attitude, dishonesty polite.
BB: What’s the first thing you think of when I say Home?
Juxtaposition. Gentrification. Disjointed family. Domestic violence. Local alien. Designed by an Immigrant.. the list goes on. I will do the subject of Home justice via music when the time is right.
BB: What do you think is the largest obstacle to integration in Britain today, and how can we overcome it?
The largest obstacle is naivety, poor education and manipulation with some of the media.
But as I said at the start the tools of technology gave me access to a wealth of knowledge so we just need to use our media and tools right. We don't need to rely on television and newspapers for knowledge no more. Books help too.
BB: What does 2019 hold for Ric Flo?
More success to Jungle Brown as we are signed to Mr Bongo.
More workshops with young people if I can fit it in the schedule.
More growth as an artist because I feel I am only just on the cusp of my potential.
Instagram: @Ricflomusic
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READ MORE
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CONTEMPORARY CONVERSATIONS
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