Latest news with #RasKwame
ITV News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- ITV News
ITV unveils 2025 Fresh Cuts
ITV today announces the six commissions which will form part of the 2025 Fresh Cuts series premiering on ITVX and YouTube later this year, commissioned as part of ITV's £80m Diversity Commissioning Spend. The stellar line up will be produced by stand out talent including acclaimed DJ, Ras Kwame, TV Collective Breakthrough leader Sebastian Whyte, the director of ITV's stand out new format The Assembly Cein McGillicuddy, and BAFTA and Grierson Award-winning Creative Director and Producer Jess Mitchell. The commissions also include Fresh Cuts first ever sketch show commission, Say Less! from Kevin Muyolo at Daddy's Super Yacht! as well as a trainers restoration format fronted by Jordan Taylor, from award winning TV Collective Breakthrough Leader Tamara Barton-Campbell at Renaissance Studios. The programmes have been commissioned by Richard Botchway, Commissioning Editor at ITV, and Richard will oversee the series for Sue Murphy's Factual Entertainment team, alongside Nahrein Kemp, DEI & Talent Lead. Richard Botchway, Commissioning Editor at ITV and commissioner overseeing the series said, 'We are incredibly excited and immensely proud of the 2025 Fresh Cuts commissions. This stellar lineup showcases outstanding talent and brings fresh, diverse voices to our screens, truly reflecting the vibrant creativity within the UK.' Nahrein Kemp, DEI & Talent Lead said, 'We are incredibly excited to be working with these 6 companies for Fresh Cuts 2025. Each programme showcases the outstanding talent we have in our industry and we can't wait to bring their fresh, diverse and vibrant voices to ITVX and our ITV youtube channel.' Fresh Cuts 2025 - The Commissions Six 22 minute original programmes premiering on ITVX/ITV's YouTube channels across Black History Month and Disability History Month later this year. In Convo, from RK the DJ Productions A series of conversations celebrating life, the arts and human existence with this special highlight for Black History Month. Filmed in the stylised way of LeBron James's 'The Shop' podcast, and anchored by the legendary Ras Kwame of BBC Radio1, 1Xtra and Capital Xtra fame, In Convo opens the door to unfiltered, honest conversations with a range of guests — offering rare access to stories, reflections and truths. Black Britain - A Tale of Two Cultures (W/T), from Whispering Rebel A lighthearted but honest candid insight into the relationship between the UK's Black African and Caribbean communities – a celebration of culture, camaraderie, and the evolving identity of Black Britain. This documentary will be directed by multidisciplinary filmmaker Sebastian Whyte, whose credits include the Black History Month films Celebrating Black Cinema with Naomie Harris (Sky) and Just Jokes (U&DAVE), featuring some of the UK's leading talent, including Lashana Lynch, Big Zuu, Adrian Lester, and Trevor Nelson. Say! Less! from Daddy's Super Yacht A fast-paced, self-aware sketch show created and executive produced by Kevin Muyolo, fronted by a cast of rising Black comedy stars, with each episode a rapid-fire mix of viral parodies, absurd characters, and wild sketches that channel the energy of online culture and the awkwardness of offline reality. Say! Less! will be bold, smart, and unapologetically Black British Gen Z. The Re-Store from Renaissance Studios The Re-Store is an energetic, heartfelt, and culturally rich unscripted special where every pair of trainers has a past, and every clean-up leads to something deeper. Fronted by Jordan Taylor, bringing his wit, charisma and deep-rooted sneaker knowledge to every story, the show blends real people's stories with sneaker restoration, games, Black British history, celebrity moments and culture-driven humour. It all happens inside a high-energy London sneaker clinic where storytelling is as important as the stitching, with a special customiser team including Liz-Sanya, Guinness World Record holder (2025) for the largest sandal ever created. From community drop-offs and sustainably minded restorations to treasured personal pairs with emotional backstories and the clean-up of rare sneaker collabs, the show features cultural guests, legacy moments and surprise visits that celebrate style, history and impact. Play Time from Céin McGillicuddy and Andy Kinnear A witty, heartwarming, feel good family concept from the director of The Assembly. Play Time challenges some of the UK's leading neurodiverse actors and comedians, in just a few hours, to put together and perform an original, groundbreaking, awe-inspiring stage play… based entirely on the creative, weird and wonderful ideas of a class of neurodivergent primary school children. Arriving in a small community and visiting a local primary school, they'll meet their 'writers' - a group of 6 to 8 year olds. Whatever ideas, characters and storylines the children give them is what they must use to put the play together before performing it that very same evening at the local theatre, for all of the children alongside their family and friends. Blind MatchMakers - from Jessica Mitchell from Different Productions The Blind Matchmakers puts blind experts in charge of the dating game, flipping the script on everything you thought you knew about love. In a world obsessed with appearances, filters and first impressions, what happens when your destiny in love is placed in the hands of someone who can't see you, but knows exactly what to look for? Hosted by Lucy Edwards, blind beauty influencer and broadcaster with over 1.8 million TikTok followers, this bold new dating format follows a group of single influencers who've lost their way when it comes to love. A trio of fierce, funny and unfiltered blind matchmakers, all of whom have successfully navigated love whilst being blind - guide every step with their own distinct blend of honesty, humour and heart. These matchmakers don't play it safe. They challenge assumptions, cut through the noise and steer each date toward something deeper. The result? Unexpected chemistry, uncomfortable truths and a whole new way to look at love.
Associated Press
05-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Island Wave Teams Up with Reggae Recipe LIVE! to Showcase Afro-Caribbean Talent at SXSW
AUSTIN, TX, UNITED STATES, March 5, 2025 / / -- Island Wave, the premier platform dedicated to empowering Afro-Caribbean creatives, is thrilled to announce its collaboration with Reggae Recipe LIVE!, a live music series curated by Ras Kwame, at the 2025 SXSW Festival. This exciting partnership will bring an eclectic showcase of Afro-Caribbean music to one of the world's largest stages for emerging talent. As the first official Caribbean stage at SXSW, Island Wave has carved out a unique space for underrepresented genres to thrive on an international stage. Now in its 4th year at SXSW, Island Wave's platform continues to offer resources and funding for creatives from the Afro-Caribbean community, facilitating opportunities that might not otherwise exist. 'We are so excited to be partnering with Reggae Recipe LIVE! at SXSW this year. Island Wave has always been committed to showcasing uplifting narratives and providing a space for talent to shine without the distractions of the mainstream music industry's typical tropes,' said Island Wave's founder. 'This collaboration with Ras Kwame's Reggae Recipe is a powerful step in our mission to highlight the diverse, authentic voices of the islands, and we are beyond thrilled to bring this showcase to Austin.' Reggae Recipe LIVE! – an extension of Ras Kwame's popular Capital Xtra radio show The Reggae Recipe – is designed to celebrate both UK and international talent from across the Afro-Caribbean world. Ras Kwame will host the stage, presenting the freshest emerging artists from Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, Barbados, Guyana, Grenada, Nigeria, Ghana, and beyond. The showcase will include live performances that highlight the positive, uplifting messages at the heart of Island Wave's ethos, bringing 'Upful Vibez' to a global audience. In addition to this collaboration, Island Wave and Reggae Recipe LIVE! are proud to announce the forthcoming anticipated very 1st SXSW London stage where they will host the Official Afro-Caribbean stage. This marks another milestone for both platforms in continuing to expand the reach and influence of Afro-Caribbean artists across the globe. Other talent representing their islands at this year's event include: Haile, representing Grenada and Guyana Big Zeeks, representing Jamaica and the UK Island Wave Band X The Waivers representing Trinidad and Tobago. Kalpee, representing Trinidad Nesta, representing Jamaica Ras Kwame, representing Ghana and the UK XAV, representing Tobago DJ collective TROP X Ent: Shaggy Fowl, representing Jamaica; Mista B, representing Belize; and Likkle Brown, representing Guyana. Along with these incredible artists, fans can expect to experience a stellar line-up of international talent, including acts from across the Caribbean and Africa. This curated performance will not only showcase emerging music but also foster connections between diverse audiences, artists, and industry leaders. The Island Wave x Reggae Recipe stage at SXSW promises to be an unforgettable experience, showcasing the vibrant sounds of the islands and the depth of talent that often goes unrecognized on the global stage. This collaboration between Island Wave and Reggae Recipe LIVE! reaffirms their shared commitment to amplifying the voices of Afro-Caribbean creatives and bringing their music to the world. For media inquiries, please contact: Public Relations Lead, Island Wave x Reggae Recipe Phone: 6465299349 Instagram: @izaislandwave Marie Driven Theodore Playbook MG
