Join author and cultural historian Lloyd Bradley and poet/music creative Rotimi Skyers as they explore the sounds and stories that have defined British Black music. Each week Lloyd and Rotimi welcome legendary musicians and leading cultural icons to the Warner Music studios for a candid and in-depth roundtable chat. Expect spirited debates, deep dives, total tangents, and a celebration of the voices and movements that set British Blackness apart.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
Season Wrap-Up! We’re looking back at the DIY culture, community roots, and genre-bending stories that shaped Many Rivers so far. From Soul II Soul tees to steelpan in UK schools, from Brit Funk to grime, the key stories, lessons, and laughs are all here.
Follow the show and get in touch:
Email the team at manyriverspod@gmail.com (mailto:manyriverspod@gmail.com) | Follow the show on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/manyriverspod/) and BlueSky (https://bsky.app/profile/manyriverspod.bsky.social)
Listen to the Spotify playlist here (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3Ib3XPtPPPhIBJWcC0yeyC?si=623874ef1e5f453c)
Lloyd is the co-curator of Black Sound London: The Story of British Black Music, an exhibition currently on at the Barbican Library from 10 Mar to 19 Jul 2025
More information here (https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2025/event/black-sound-the-story-of-british-black-music)
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A Warner Music Entertainment podcast, produced by Darkside Media (https://www.instagram.com/darksidemediahq/).
Produced by Tom Dark for Darkside Media, and Sorcha Macdonald for Warner Music Entertainment. Edited by Pete Vuckovic.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
8 Jul 2025
Lionel McCalman • Steelpan, schools, and Carnival
Lionel McCalman discusses the journey of steelpan music from Trinidad to UK schools, highlighting its impact on identity, education, and British Black culture in an interview with Rotimi and Lloyd.
1 Jul 2025
Jaz Karis • authenticity, global reach, and defining genres
Singer Jaz Karis discusses her debut album, the difficulties of defining R&B, and the impact of streaming and genre politics on UK Black artists in an interview with an unnamed host.
24 Jun 2025
Kenny Wellington & Breeze McKrieth • Brit Funk, Light Of The Word, and lasting legacy
Kenny Wellington and Breeze McKrieth, founding members of Light of the World, explore the origins and cultural impact of Brit Funk, discussing their journey from East London horn sections to influencing UK pop, jazz, and soul artists in this interview.
17 Jun 2025
04 • Cookie Pryce of Cookie Crew - from Battersea to The Bronx
Cookie Pryce recounts to Rotimi and Lloyd the journey of Cookie Crew, highlighting their role in pioneering space for women within the UK hip-hop scene in this interview.
10 Jun 2025
03 • Jazzie B - Soul II Soul, sound systems, and DIY culture
Jazzie B, founder of Soul II Soul, discusses building a musical movement from the ground up, including DIY culture and the evolution of UK club culture, in an interview with Rotimi and Lloyd.
3 Jun 2025
02 • Courtney Pine
Jazz icon Courtney Pine discusses the roots and evolution of jazz in the UK with Lloyd and Rotimi, exploring its transformation into a uniquely British sound in this interview.
27 May 2025
01 • Meet Lloyd and Rotimi...
Hosts Lloyd and Rotimi introduce the Many Rivers podcast, exploring their motivations for connecting music to culture and discussing the roots of Notting Hill Carnival.
28 Apr 2025
Welcome to Many Rivers
Join author and cultural historian Lloyd Bradley and poet/music creative Rotimi Skyers as they explore the sounds and stories that have defined British Black music. Each week Lloyd and Rotimi welcome legendary musicians and leading cultural icons to the Warner Music studios for a candid and in-depth roundtable chat. Expect spirited debates, deep dives, total tangents, and a celebration of the voices and movements that set British Blackness apart.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
Who has been a guest on Many Rivers
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Lionel McCalman
Jaz Karis
Kenny Wellington
Breeze McKrieth
Cookie Pryce
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 22 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
26
Social presence
91
YouTube
0
Engagement
0
Contact Many Rivers
Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Many Rivers?
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