News

Trenton And Free Radical To Support Johnny Clegg

• 15th Jun 2010

African hip hop promoter Trenton Birch and his London-based afro-beat, reggae and hip hop outfit, Trenton and Free Radical, will open for Johnny Clegg during an exclusive show at Kentish Town’s Forum on Saturday.

The four-piece group, hailing from South Africa, Uganda, Zimbabwe, and Ibiza, have developed a uniquely fresh sound, drawing on local culture and blending it with global influences.
Originally from Johannesburg, vocalist Trenton spent his early years in Kenya, Nigeria and the Middle East. His electro rock group Anti-Gravity had chart success in South Africa, and opened for Prodigy and Faithless. Since moving abroad, he has worked with Michael Franti (Spearhead) and Black Thought (The Roots), and is considered one of the pioneers of the new wave African music scene. He runs one of the world’s largest African Hip Hop sites Afrolution.com, as well as Black Mango Music which promotes afrocentric electro music (including Goldfish, one of South Africa’s most exciting live electronica acts, and rising star Inemo).

Guitar player Marco, grew up in Ibiza and has worked with Roots Manuva and Killa Kella. He also played in a reggae band in Barcelona called Urban Roots. Ugandan multi-instrumentalist Kaz, has played with P-Funk and Pee Wee Ellis, and Zimbabwean percussionist Sam is an accomplished drummer who also specialises in playing the calabash.
Trenton and Free Radical have started work on their debut album with producers Dean James (Nitin Sawhney, Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly) and Craigie Dodds (Sugarbabes). They’ve created quite a buzz with their inspiring live sets – mixing reggae rhythms and African beats into their own distinctive blend.
Catch them opening for Johnny Clegg in London on 19 June, at the Forum in Kentish Town.
Doors: 7pm
Tickets: Ticketmaster

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