1. British Africans
Dara Kolajo

2. History
• In the 1990s The British African-Caribbean immigration increased. The
largest concentrations are in London and Birmingham. Traditionally
associated with a particular area, such as, Brixton, Harlesden, Stonebridge,
Tottenham, Dalston, Lewisham, Peckham in London; and Handsworth and
Aston in Birmingham.
• Since World War II British government began to encourage mass
immigration from the countries of the British Empire and Commonwealth
to fill shortages in the labour market. The ship MV Empire Windrush
brought the first group of 492 immigrants. The 1948 British Nationality Act
gave British citizenship to all people living in Commonwealth countries,
and full rights of entry and settlement in Britain.

3. Representation in the
Media
In terms of the media British Africans as a
collective identity do have a negative
stigma attached through different forms of
media. Boys in particular are mainly
associated with gun and knife crime and
also drug use but saying this they are also
usually the victims. Many were linked with
recent riots.
On the positive side, the music industry
have been influenced from individuals from
Afro-Caribbean roots. For example Tine
Tempah, Chipmunk and Wiley. A majority
use music to express their emotions.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfkfACG7-
O0&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL
7297A82EEC77D1DF

4. Kidulthood
This film is centred around several teenagers who live in west London.
Through the course of the film two particular characters are focused on.
Trevor who presented as street smart. He has two other friends and he comes
across as the leader. He takes drugs, and deals with guns and to add he gets
his former girlfriend pregnant (Alisa), who is the second character the film
focuses on. For most part of the film Trevor doesn't plan to stick around and
when he does want to make things right he dies . The makers of Kidulthood
presents these characters as young, naive and reckless.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XobtSAo
wtQ

5. Ashes to Ashes
•One particular episode in Ashes to Ashes has an interesting on look on
how British Africans are represented.
•The characters name is Viv (Geff Francis) and he is a policeman and
works alongside Gene and his department. Many Black Africans are used
as the criminals so this rejects the stereo-type.
•He is taken as a hostage by prisoners during a breakout of riots. Gene
does whatever it takes to get Viv in safe terms again as in the hands of
these prisoners he is in serious danger.
•As the episode unravels Viv is actually there by set up to help his
convicted nephew. So quite quickly all sympathy is lost.

6. Giggs
• Nathaniel Thompson better known by his stage name Giggs or Hollowman, is
a English recording artist. He is the leader of Spare No 1 (SN1), alongside his
brothers Gunna Dee, Joe Grind, Spender and Young Giggs (YG). He was raised by a
single mother, he is the eldest of his siblings, and grew up on the streets of
Peckham. He dropped out of school at the age of 16. In 2003 he was sentenced to
two years in prison due to weapon charges.
• SN1 crew started off releasing numerous mixtapes which sold more than 10,000
units. This success helped his popularity expand outside London. Giggs first signed
to XL Recordings, the record label was allegedly warned by members of Operation
Trident to not back the London rapper due to his past charges.
• Walk in da park (2007–2008) Giggs released the street anthem "Talking the
Hardest" in 2007, which helped increase his popularity.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JrJ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-
SVR_1Uc EuI2_pjDlM&feature=relmfu

7. The Future
• A percentage of Black British group do conform to how they
are presented in the media. But not everyone can be
classified in that way.
• Even though the media can reflect British Africans in a
negative light. Individuals that are part of this collective
identity have used media as a way to succeed not only
through music but in the media industry in general. I think
that much more people will use this media attention to thrive
and be successful and send a message to the public. Maybe
through this stereotype will change.