What A Manic Year 2009...

It's been freakin insane! And with it being impossible to summarise 12 months of my life (in a single blog) - have a read here to get the ins and outs of me and the hectic world of Ctrl.Alt.Shift; the UK-based experimental project set up to engage the next generation in the fight against social and global injustice... think BNP-crushing, DRCongo corruption awareness, Palestine stories, HIV stigma killing, global poverty-decreasing, news, news and more news (check up the site, and you'll get the jist!).



From Mauritius, to East London (born and bred in Newham), expanding my journalism horizons at the University of Central Lancashire, and hitting the ground galloping back in L-Town for Ctrl.Alt.Shift - now you can follow my blog (for today is the birth of my new blogsite) for in-depth updates of the life and fast times of this London journalist. I'll be bringing you reports from the big city, to the anecdotes of my travels from Vancouver to DRCongo, Milan to Paris, and beyond...

This may not give as personal insight to my social, sport-mad, love etc. side of my life - but it's a start, and a new year, new chapter is about to hit - so stay tuned.

Guardian Article: The UK Youth-Led Media Summit 2009

Never stop losing faith in the next generation, never patronise, speak down to, assume you know what they know, need and want, never NEVER suggest "video games" as the answer - meet young people half way and they'll surprise you, that much, I promise.

And that is basically what I came to say at this year's Youth-Led Media Summit in London. Daunting, ever so slightly, yet privileged I felt, to represent Ctrl.Alt.Shift on a panel that consisted of various big players from the UK media world (from Channel 4 to BBC). Our audience, ready and geared up for a grilling, were some of the most exciting media-focusing prospects from across the UK, brought together for the first time all under one roof; each and every aspiring mag and newspaper writer, radio, TV and digital media presenter and producer coming to the forefront to voice their worth and thoughts on how the future of their industry will play out...


There was a heavy mix of opinions flying about, some of which I jumped on in defence of my peoples - for example, I got this uncontrollable urge to grab the mic during the panel discussion, hearing claims that youth-media could be "dead in 40-50 years" and that my suggestion of possibly having a youth-led media page in every mainstream publication was not viable - due to target audiences and consistency factors. Big bag of bull I thought, given the falling numbers in readerships facing various media orgs, the look of disdain on the reacting faces of the summit's young and passionate attendees, and the fact the audience themselves held a combined readership of over 2 million young people (all of which would like more opportunities and better representation from the mainstream).

Yet beyond the banter and rumbling debate did come progress, with various individuals stepping up throughout the day's workshops and presentations to prove they will be pulling strings in future years. The bottom line - the next media generation will continue to strive, hustle, and push to get that hard-earned reward of a foot in the door - though perhaps that door just needs to be swung open.

From past memories of sitting in cold auditoriums at some patronising and terribly mundane university speaker seminars, I think the main objective of the conference was met - to listen, and learn, and for my own peace of mind, I learnt the media of tomorrow rests in very safe hands.

Below is a snippet from the review of the summit I wrote for Guardian online:

Youth Led Media Summit Intro from Leo Bridle on Vimeo.

A Positive Face Of Youth In The Media
Today's Youth-Led Media Summit brings together enthusiastic young people from around the UK who want to determine their future role – and dispel the image of dangerous hoodies...

I grow ever tiresome of seeing news surrounding our youth decorated with hoodies and knife crime. Yes, teen stabbings do happen, and I love my Y-3 hoody, but there's a need for a balance. So, what better way to change that pre-selected image and harness the next generation than to get more than 150 inspiring media enthusiasts from around the UK in the same room; all of whom want to grab the concept of their industry by the horns and determine their role in the future of the media.

I'm talking about the first Youth-Led Media Summit 2009 today.

The Institute of Global Ethics UK Trust has invited a mass of talent and potential, including representatives from various youth magazines, newspapers, radio, TV and digital media groups (with a combined audience and readership of over two million young people) – all to The Rich Mix in Shoreditch, London, to voice their ideas and concerns regarding their generation and the media. I will be basking in the ambiance of my peers, who will soon be bringing you tomorrow's headlines...

Read the full article here

US Lift HIV Travel Ban! - MTV Staying Alive

This is a short piece I wrote for the MTV Staying Alive Foundation website, in response to the US FINALLY abolishing their HIV travel restrictions. Ever heard of such a silly bulls**t thing? Well unfortunately, this blind eye constriction of human rights is still alive in many countries around the world... Here's the article:

About Time Too...
When I was born, back in 1987, the US was just about putting into motion this wonderfully oppressive HIV travel ban; a despicable restriction on those living with HIV/AIDS, prohibiting them from entering the land of hope and glory, because of their supposedly poisonous blood. The time has rightfully come, for change (thanks for that line Obama).



South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Russia (among a few others) remain on the list of countries that turn away those with HIV status. Such nations only encourage the stigma surrounding the disease, segregating those HIV+ with little remorse, or interest in understanding. This goes way further than the effect of getting chosen last in sports ed – dry your eyes mate please. The travel bans are rooted in fear and ignorance. I’ve witnessed first-hand, families in the Democratic Republic of Congo broken apart through HIV stigma (one 14 year old told me he was abandoned, as his “infection was an omen on the household”). And so, I am disgusted that any bans still exist...

Read the full article here

DRCongo: Golden Corruption - Ctrl.Alt.Shift

This is a follow-up piece I did for Ctrl.Alt.Shift regarding the 40 TONNES OF GOLD (you heard right) being illegally smuggled out of the DRCongo by sanction busters. It is a piece I felt I had to write, even at 2am in the morning when I got the news; having visited the DRC in 2008, and fell in admiration of the people and the country. The African nation (like many others on the continent) is rich, in resources and spirit - and something needs to be done to prevent it continuing to tumble down the poverty line due to scummy, unjust exploiters of the good, honest and struggling Congolese people. Here's the report:

Editor’s Blog - DRCongo Down By 40 Tonnes Of Gold
What good is a rule, if it is broken without consequence for the perpetrators? I’m talking about the sanction busters found to be smuggling 40 tonnes of gold annually out the Democratic Republic of Congo - I’ve had a pretty hefty 18 carat gold chain around my neck since I was 16 years young… 40 tonnes is a volume I can’t even begin to comprehend.



The announcement was made this week by United Nations official Dino Mahtani to the BBC, who stated the tonnes of gold have been controlled by rebel groups in the DRC to buy arms. Mahtani said: "A lot of this gold is controlled by armed group networks, in particular the FDLR (Democratic Liberation Forces of Rwanda), the Rwandan-based rebel group partly composed by members involved in the 1994 genocide and who continue to operate in eastern Congo."



As if DRC didn’t have enough problems – having been ravaged through an African civil war since 1994, rinsed of its resources in the process. Losing $1.24billion (£739million) worth of gold on a yearly basis, without any customs declaration, is just further clog to the DRC system. Illicit trade is one of the prime reasons why one of the most richly-resourced nations in the world remains a developing one...

Read the full article here

MTV Staying Alive Foundation - Ctrl.Alt.Shift

I was always a massive fan of MTV Base. I used to just play it full blast in the house whilst getting ready for school, or when I was jamming with my friends (my parents weren't so fond of the 'noise'). So as an MTV follower, it was brilliant to hear they continue to progress in my current world (of fighting global and social injustice with Ctrl.Alt.Shift) through the MTV Staying Alive Foundation; their multi-platform HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention campaign. Great music artists + great campaign = great success! Here's more info from a night meeting and greeting the Foundation faithful:

Ctrl.Alt.Shift @ The MTV Staying Alive Foundation
Beyond the canapés and free drinks, I went to a function on Tuesday night (October 27) in Camden, north London, that actually left me feeling a little more than just bloated and tipsy. Dare I say it, I was seriously inspired when I came face to face with the grantees and volunteers of the MTV Staying Alive Foundation. We’re not talking music television here, we’re talking saving lives.



Staying Alive began in 1998 – MTV’s global, multi-platform HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention campaign. The funny thing is, the name did ring a bell, after all the project is currently the largest of it’s kind in the world, with announcements, websites, events and programming aimed to educate and empower young people in 50 countries most affected by the epidemic of HIV/AIDS. With ambassadors including Kelly Rowland and Travis McCoy (Gym Class Heroes), I had heard the rumblings of this amazing scheme over the past few years, but it struck a new chord meeting those involved in the ever-developing Staying Alive Foundation – the initiative launched in 2004 to extend the ethos of the campaign at a grassroots level.



Immediately I realised what amazing strides Staying Alive has been making, talking to HIV-awareness community workers Jacqualine Kowa (from Kenya), Natalia Cales (South Carolina, US), and James Fofanou (Sierra Leone) who had all flown in to tell their stories. Memories of my 2008 trip to HIV orphan camps in DRCongo came to mind when James said “The figures we use are important, and I’m not talking about money. ‘Two’ people, means two lives, and if you don’t help them, those two will be dead in two months. Therefore every bit of help from Staying Alive counts as lives are on the line.”

Read the full article here

Guardian BNP Article Abuse - My Response - Ctrl.Alt.Shift

I got some serious 'publicity' for this one. On average I've barely got over 5 comments for any of my past articles. However, my latest anti-BNP stunt (alongside Ctrl.Alt.Shift and Don't Panic) and review for the Guardian received over 200 comments in a couple of hours - a personal best! Nonetheless, this was also the first time I've received severe abuse and distain from my readers; some claming what I did was "pointless", "stupid", some even took time to offer better grammar (which they got wrong anyways...) and suggestions to walk into a mosque in a pink leotard (don't ask!). Where do I turn from this learning curb? Towards more investigative reporting and provocative stunts! Otherwise how else can I expose corrupt and unjust powers that be for what they are, how else can you spread awareness for those that need such issues thrust upon them at a different, perhaps more in-your-face slant, and why regret or hesitate further on when those that aren't irritated, offended and/or abusive are actually inspired and enlightened - click here, read the comments and you'll see what I mean. My only quarm is not being able to read the moderated (i.e. removed) comments. Bring on the democratic banter I say. And to my peers - if you truly want to be a journalist, don't fear speaking out and standing aside from the 'in-crowd'; it's how every movement and resistance begins. Here's my full response to the cynics:

Editor’s Blog
Let’s jump straight in – click here and have a read:

I wrote this article for the Guardian website, a short opinion piece on the British National Party stunt we (Ctrl.Alt.Shift and Don’t Panic) did on October 15th, when a multicultural bunch of us rolled down to Dagenham East, London, to try to attend a BNP meeting and sign up to the party. It also happened to be on the day they officially allowed ‘ethnics’ to join, and a week before BNP leader Nick Griffin’s now infamous appearance on BBC’s Question Time.

Enjoy the stunt:


Now, as a journalist, you should never expect masses of feedback. Even my mum hasn’t read my articles (sorry mum, I love you if you are reading this). But the response to the Guardian piece was astounding – it was published at lunch time on Sunday October 25th, and by Monday morning I found near 200 comments.

Of course I was smiling, that mark was a new milestone for my wee journalism career. Though my dimples soon got washed away, amid scrolling through wave after wave of readers stating what we did was “pathetic”, “pointless”, “childish” with a “stench of student activism”. And those were the comments that didn’t get removed by the Guardian moderators…

To be fair, the abuse was in-between comments of praise and support, but I’d be a fool to deny a tiny spark of aggravation lit up inside me. However, seeing red, was shortly followed by laughter, and relief.

Bring on the naysayers (who I thanked in my own response comment). They are the snobbish cynics that should inadvertently fuel the engine of every social justice-seeking activist.

As I said in my fight-back feedback, the manner in which we combated the BNP will be questionable to many, but the reality is that to get the average young and apathetic voter to think about these issues you need to deliver a message outside the box. And what may be ‘pointless’ to the pessimists may be inspirational to the optimists.

Part of my job at Ctrl.Alt.Shift, which I love, is to inspire those of mine and the next generation who are lost in social issues and politics (it’s an easy place to lose your bearings). When opportunities (like the BNP stunt) arise, I seize upon them; to take those around me who want to get more politically active, to join the frontline of an issue we do think is worth challenging. In the aftermath, the so-called “pathetic” display of activism seizes to be a waste of time for the participants (and all those who’ve read the story) who came away feeling more engaged than ever in the system, its dark side and its scandals (which of course do not exist in the BNP exclusively).

The cracking whip of the cynics can beat to the sound of “You Marxist hippy” or “You wannabe revolutionary” – but no ignorant tosser is going to give me doubt or regret over our actions against a fascist party – and nor should they deter you.

May the abuse roll in, as goes the saying ‘all publicity is good publicity’, and I’d love to hit 300 comments by Friday. If you’ve got the time, click on the link and show your support, and defiance of the wet blankets.

With love, respect and appreciation,

Dwain

Now, sing along:

Top 10 BNP On Question Time Moments - Ctrl.Alt.Shift

Wasn't this just appalling, and ever so uncomfortable to watch...? I'm no fan of Nick Griffin and the British National Party, though I would have preferred a Question Time session that did not focus on berating the BNP for being racists - that much I know already. It was like looking at a lost child getting bullied in the playground (rightly bullied for being a symbol of ignorance - but still, bullied). I would much rather have watched Griffin speak about his ridiculous policies and beliefs uninterrupted - as oppose to him having to constantly defend verbal onslaughts by his fellow panellists. Let the Griffin shoot himself in the foot, as oppose to us firing the pointless rounds. Still, I doubt he won over the British public with his stuttering display - and if you didn't get to see it, here's my Ctrl.Alt.Shift run-down of the top moments from the QT day:

Top 10 BNP On Question Time Moments
Last night (on October 22nd), Nick Griffin and the BNP finally got their platform on national TV, appearing on Question Time. Here’s the run down of the top moments from the evening if you didn’t manage to catch the grilling of the Griffin:



1. Over 500 anti-fascist protestors rallied outside BBC Studios in West London before, during and after the broadcast. A small number jumped the entrance gates and managed to get within feet of the Question Time studio, resulting in the arrest of six. Nevertheless, the show ran smoothly.

2. Author and critic Bonnie Greer, who was a guest panellist on the show, has admitted she had to restrain herself from slapping Griffin’s smug mug; after the BNP leader’s definition of the origins of "indigenous" British and the BNP's website account, she shut him down with "Your history is a joke!"

3. When questioned about the Holocaust denial, Griffin said “I was not convicted of it” and smirked at host David Dimbleby.

4. When asked to explain why he had previously expressed admiration for Hitler and the Nazi Party, Griffin replied “I can’t explain it.” Clever boy.

5. Griffin has now been dubbed the "Dr Strangelove" of British politics by Labour's Jack Straw after attempting to claim the mantle of Winston Churchill.

6. Griffin was accused by the panel of making up facts, after stumbling through statistics regarding how much of the UK population weren’t happy with the immigration system.

7. Griffin was asked by the panel about when he was quoted describing immigration as “genocide”. He was also questioned about a conference in America in 2000 where he was photographed with Mr Duke, the former leader of a Ku Klux Klan chapter. He denied the immigration statement, saying he was “misquoted”, and that he was “appalled” by the term “genocide”. However he affirmed the KKK was “totally non-violent”. Hooray for that then.

8. Nervous and angry from the start, Griffin said early in the show “I am the most loathed man in the country.” I can’t say he’s the most loved now…

9. One audience member briefly touched upon the BNP’s recent change in policy to allow non-whites, after being forced following a legal battle with the Equality and Human Rights Commission in August. The full story, including Ctrl.Alt.Shift and Don’t Panic’s stunt to infiltrate a BNP meeting and test the non-white policy, was published in the Evening Standard, London Lite, broadcasted on Channel 4 news, BBC London news and ITV’s London Tonight. Click here for the full video!

10. Following the show, Nick Griffin said today he was the victim of a "lynch mob" audience drawn from a city that had been "ethnically cleansed" and was "no longer British".

As a proud born and bred London boy, of Mauritian descent, I salute you Mr.Griffin and your whimsical palaver.

My Age Of Activism - Ctrl.Alt.Shift

Coming back from a record-breaking steamy summer of lethargic lazing-about, it's been good to get back into the activism/journalism/police-get-off-my-back swing of things. I don't know what it is about September that kick-starts that mood, whether it's the sun saying goodbye for another year, or the fact students are back in action... either way, here's my latest editor's blog for Ctrl.Alt.Shift which features taking on the BNP and trying to evict a few corrupt Lords; a report that screams 'Boy, I've been busy!':

Editor's Blog
Ctrl.Alt.Shift blog specialist Bibi van der Zee once wrote how activists can get ‘lethargic’ and chillaxed over the summer period, as whatever beaming sun the UK provides is seized upon with tanning lotion and the shortest of short shorts. In hindsight, I dare not disagree, as my summer of potential love and rays was reduced to tears and sweat behind the confines of my office lap top, bitching at the cries of laughter coming from the happy-go-luckies outside. Call me bitter? Hell no, I love this job.

Minor self-sympathy put aside, the activism season is well and truly back in motion. Amped students are back in school and making movements, we all gear towards a vital time in the climate change battle (click here for more Road To Copenhagen info), and I’m pitching a FOR SALE sign on the House of Lords… okay, let me explain that last one.



The Lords have been the most unholy of creatures, in particular Lord Truscott and Lord Taylor. Earlier this year, the naughty boys got caught out by Sunday Times reporters posing as lobbyists seeking amendments to government legislation in return for cash. The Lords graciously agreed to help, putting the whole integrity of our legal system in jeopardy, and tainting any faith left that our government is a finely oiled democratic machine.

The punishment for such exploitation of power? On Monday (October 11th), the bad boys (still talking about Truscott and Harper here, not Will Smith and Martin Lawrence) just strolled back into parliament. Their six-month ban was over, but the distaste in my mouth was still there.

Please click here for more on the Lords scandal story...

So, what do activists do when the distraction of the summer sun disappears? Geared up by Don’t Panic’s Heydon Prowse and joined by fellow Ctrl.Alt.Shift star James Prosho, we all headed to the frontline, with a polished FOR SALE sign (also stating ‘F**king Corrupt’), and pitched it up right in front of the House of Lords gates. We all hoped the message would be read by the guilty parties, but who knows, as it took little more than eight minutes before the Met’s finest tore it down...

Read the rest of the action here

Guardian Article: Invading The BNP

This is an article I wrote for the Guardian following a stunt alongside Ctrl.Alt.Shift and Don't Panic - as a crew of us non-white British citizens rolled down to East London to try and attend a BNP meeting; in a mission to test their non-white policy, just a week before Nick Griffin's now infamous appearance on BBC's Question Time. We were literally booted off the premises without proper reason. All coverage can be viewed below. I'd like to send Mr Griffin a massive hug in the post and promise him he can't catch anything from the colour of my skin... :

Manhandled out of a BNP meeting
If Nick Griffin thinks his party is misunderstood, perhaps he should tell the cronies who shoved me out of a pub...

So, 8 million viewers tuned in to witness a trembling fascist man child get browbeaten by political hotshots. Wasn't Question Time epic? Not really.

Those who know a little about the British National party (BNP) learned a little more. I, however, am still wondering why I can't join the BNP. After all, they now have to allow non-whites into the party following a ruling by the Equality and Human Rights Commission.













As a Mauritian British citizen who wants to see a better UK, I thought Griffin's contingent would welcome me with open arms when I tried to join the party last week – instead I (literally) got shoved out the door.

In a nutshell, it's fair to summarise that BNP supporters at the Eastbrook pub in Dagenham on the 15 October seemed outraged that 10 "ethnics" were seeking membership at their meeting. Not that we were surprised. In my job as deputy editor for Ctrl.Alt.Shift, a project designed to give a new generation the tools to fight global and social injustice, I've become accustomed to people in power saying one thing but meaning another...

Read the full article here

And below's the video footage:

Jazmine Sullivan Interview - RWD Magazine

When you walk in and you hear "Argh, ok, let's get this last one out the way" - you know the interview's started on a rough one... Alright, I completely get the harassing media combined with repetitive questions can kill a soul - BUT C'MON, as is the nature and forgotten perks of the job (we're here to hear more about you and in turn widen YOUR fan base Ms Celebrity). This lil rant relates to my yawn-ful encounter with R&B singer Jazmine Sullivan. I love her voice... when she's singing. Read on for a taster of the RWD piece, and click here for the full interview and video:

RWD TV: Jazmine Sullivan
RWD TV catches up with the Lions, Tigers and Bears singer to find out who she rates in the UK, weird fans, performing at the Jazz Cafe and her fears...




How’s the music game treating you?
The music game is treating me well! So far I have no complaints – it’s definitely challenging and hard at times, but this is what I love to do, so I can’t really complain...

How was performing at Notting Hill Festival?
It was crazy! It was a lot of walking – no one told me before that YOU DON’T WEAR HEELS. It was a mistake! (laughs). No one told me – but it was a lot of fun, seeing everybody enjoying themselves.

Your album is called Fearless – are you?
Uhh…I’m scared of a lot of things. I’m scared of everything really...



Really?
Nah that’s a lie (laughs). I named it Fearless because in some ways, musically, I’m not afraid to try different things, and put myself out there in that way. But as far as my personal life, there are a lot of things that I’m scared of – like everybody else.

What are three core aspects that young, black, females need to make it big in the music industry?
Let me see... I think you should be unique, you should be passionate, and…hopefully you’re talented. You don’t really HAVE to be talented, I mean, being passionate will take you a long way – but yeah, those are my three...

Many thanks to RWD editor/legend Hattie Collins for the hook up - trust, I actually like Jazmine's album... guess I just caught her on an off-one!

VOTE! Mauricio Agostinho Camuto - Ctrl.Alt.Shift

The polls for the Guardian Achievement in International Development Award are closed - but that won't stop me promoting my choice - THE! man, Mauricio Agostinho Camuto; director of partner project Radio Ecclesia, Angola's only independent news station, which is committed to publicising corruption and human rights abuses. Talk about an unsung hero, Camuto gives a lot and expects very very little in return - his influence to the most underprivileged in his country is insurmountable. Read below for my Ctrl.Alt.Shift article on Monsieur Camuto:

Feature: Vote For Camuto!
It's like X Factor, international development style! And yes, there's a massive difference, as unlike previous X Factor winners, all of those up for the Guardian Achievement in International Development Award will leave a lasting impression on this world longer than any woeful Christmas No.1 record...

Of the 95 outstanding entries, a public vote will now decide on the champ from a shortlist of five – all amazing individuals – though Ctrl.Alt.Shift is stepping up and showing full backing support to Mauricio Agostinho Camuto; director of partner project Radio Ecclesia, Angola's only independent news station, which is committed to publicising corruption and human rights abuses. This man is a diamond in one of the roughest developing nations of Africa.



Democracy and social change are terms Angola is probably not familiar with, as low literacy rates and poor access to independent news sources leave little scope for public participation in government. However, Camuto chucks a blind eye to any obstacles facing his people, with his radio station breaking talking-point news stories such as the surge in the number of children dying from rabies in the country – food for thought for any government official...

Read the full article here

Kevin E.G. Perry & The Silk Weavers In Varanasi - Ctrl.Alt.Shift

Much respect goes out to my friend and colleague Kevin E.G. Perry who recently got shortlisted for the Guardian International Development Journalism Competition. For his hard efforts, he was then sent to India to write an article for the Guardian about the NGO Find Your Feet and the traditional silk handloom weavers in Varanasi - this fellow hustler is living the freelance journo dream, and yes, I'm green with envy! More info on KP and his latest escapade can be read below on my preview article for Ctrl.Alt.Shift:

Feature: Kevin E.G. Perry On The Silk Road
Ctrl.Alt.Shifter Kevin E.G. Perry is a writer's writer; hugely respected here for his passionate and thought-provoking rogue reporting on issues from the 'Notorious P.I.G.' (on Swine Flu) to features on female genital mutilation in developing countries.



Good things come to those who hustle – as demonstrated by Kevin, who has recently been shortlisted for the Guardian International Development Journalism Competition; thanks to another inspiring piece of writing on sanitation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (published here, on Guardian online).

Almost a year after that trip to the DRC, and Kevin is off again, now in India writing an article for the Guardian about the NGO Find Your Feet and the traditional silk handloom weavers in Varanasi. The free-spirit activist/journalist will be documenting on the life and impoverished times of these workers whose livelihoods are being "threatened by cheap imports...a familiar tale of globalisation."

Read the full article here

Zambia's Corrupt Frederick Chiluba - Ctrl.Alt.Shift

Our MP expenses scandal was ridiculous, but this may be worse, much worse. In his 10-year reign on top, Richie Rich aka former Zambian President Frederick Chiluba allegedly spent around US$40 million of the people's money for his flash suits and gifts for the wifey... I feel ickly enough thinking about our members of UK parliament enjoying second homes and maid service on taxpayer's buck, but it cushions the blow, ever so slightly, to know I have a warm home, nice clean water to wash the dirt off my shoulder, no diseases, and a job that provides me with more than £1 a day; unlike many of the Zambian citizens. Get my point? Stealing from the poor to give to the rich is not the Robin Hood way. Here's my Ctrl.Alt.Shift report on the matter:

Young Blood: Chiluba One, Zambia Nil
Our MP expenses debacle was one thing but this is something else. Imagine Gordon Brown or one of his cronies reportedly gambling away the taxpayer's money, spending health care cash on a new golf club, a shiny new car, or perhaps some diamonds for their pampered wives. Essentially, that is the outrageous situation the people of Zambia face – but there's only one problem – there's not enough substantial evidence (apparently) to bring the corporate culprits down.



The defendant in question is former Zambian president Frederick Chiluba. The man is like Scarface; with humble beginnings as a young bus conductor, before leaping up the ranks as a trade unionist, and finally running the country (for 10 years no less), fully pimped out with designer suits, silk pyjamas and over 100 pairs of squeaky altered shoes (allegedly fitted with two inch heels to raise his 5ft stature). Credit to his rags to riches biography, as he went from driving to being driven - from boutique to boutique. Once he managed to spend a whopping $500,000 on a single visit to a boutique in Geneva.

However, you might ask, how could the little ex-president roll red-carpet style whilst his countrymen struggled on less than $1 a day? The answer to this question was hunted down by the lawyer who started this court room drama some six years ago in 2003, two years after Chiluba stepped down. This maverick lawyer – who was acting on behalf of sued Zambian newspaper, the Post, who were pressed for libel charges after calling Chiluba a thief – somehow gained access to the records of the Zambian intelligence service's bank account in London. These revealed evidence of payments to Chiluba's children, that lovely Geneva boutique and several Zambian officials. Come back to this year, and last week's acquittal by a Lusaka Court, saw Chiluba cleared of stealing $500,000 (£300,000) from the Zambian people. Everything in-between is a corporate blur of corruption...

Read the full article here

UK Poverty - Peter Bull Millionaire Interview - Ctrl.Alt.Shift

Want a typical rags to riches story? Below, read up on self-made millionaire Peter Bull, the caravan site owner who took part in Channel 4's programme 'How The Other Half Lives'; which saw the mansion loving money-shakers try to shift the balance for council flat debt-bound families in the UK. 1 in 3 children in the UK apparently live in poverty - it's still nowhere near the devastating statistics from DRCongo to Zambia - but it's no bad thing to see the wealthy coming back to their humble beginnings to lend a helping hand:

Feature: How To Become A Self-Made Millionaire
Did you know that around half the young people living in inner city London live below the poverty line? I had no idea – but that's the stats being provided by new Channel 4 series 'How The Other Half Live'.



What exactly defines the 'underprivileged' is a grey matter; in my opinion it can be anyone from those living by the pay cheque, on the dole, or on the streets - and everything in-between. But what this project sets out to do, is bridge the gap between the hustlers and the flossers. This is not so much Wife Swap becomes Class Swap as each episode a wealthy family actively tries to help and inspire another fam struggling to pay the bills. The whole process outlines how we do, how we can, and how we should respond to the poverty on our doorsteps.



Self-made multi-millionaire Peter Bull knows both sides of the park, having grown up on a London council estate, before years of "bloody hard work" made him one the UK's richest caravan park owners. Last week, we saw him and his family assist father Jimmy, mother Toni, and their three children – a family battling debt and facing eviction from their gardenless council flat in north London. With his humble beginnings, Peter is proud his own two daughters, aged eight and 11, can now live in the luxury of a 25-room Kent mansion with 16 acres to run around on...

Read the full article here on the Ctrl.Alt.Shift website...

My Live Art Southbank Show - Ctrl.Alt.Shift

Summer of love? Try summer of stress, hectic movements, and glorious graff/art/3D work! I was well pleased with the result of this one - the pre-event to the art, music, and activism event of the year, United Underground; organised by Riz MC Ahmed, British Underground and Ctrl.Alt.Shift. I hustled together 10 mad artists from around the UK in a timed competition to create a piece each that screamed CORRUPTION!. This fell in line quite nicely with Ctrl.Alt.Shift's anti-corruption campaigns of 2009 and our latest CORRUPTION magazine issue, set for release online and in selected stores later this year. Read below for the event coverage and results - and look out for United Underground 2 on February 20, 2010 baby!:



Ctrl.Alt.Shift Live Art On The Southbank
Last Saturday, on 18th July, Ctrl.Alt.Shift went down to the Southbank to put on a stunning array of live street art and music - we got some crazy results...

The challenge had been set: each artist had six hours (from 10am-4pm) to create an image based around CORRUPTION. Stepping up were graffer legends in the making, Remi Rough, Pure Evil, Ed Tizer, Chris Getliffe, plus up and comers Mr.P, Mock, Sam Bridge, Arthur Branco, and finally a touch of fine art through Karl Anthoney and 3D mastermind Wayne 'The Chiz' Chisnall.



For passersby, on an unexpected, but gratefully received sunny Saturday, it was a thrilling display (just outside the Queen Elizabeth Hall) to witness first-hand how these artists got down. The extended deadline of six hours was looking way too ample for the experts of the canvas (and The Chiz), as by lunch time, most were detailing the finishing touches. I even had to ask a few to slow down, take a break or two. Little surprise though – Sam Bridge told Ctrl.Alt.Shift: "I just want to get this done, I've been thinking about it for a while and it's such an exciting and engaging project."

Read the full article here, and check out the final mad array of art pieces below, starting with the winner of the Ctrl.Alt.Shift competition, graffer Chris Getliffe:


By Chris Getliffe


By Arthur Branco


By Ed Tizer


By Karl Anthoney


By Mock aka Daniel Mernagh


By Mr.P


By Pure Evil


By Remi Rough


By Sam Bridge


By Wayne Chisnall

United Underground 1 @ Southbank - Ctrl.Alt.Shift

Everything you need to know about our first United Underground Southbank extravaganza can be found below, on the preview article I wrote for Ctrl.Alt.Shift. It was MASSIVE, with a mad array of music artists, perhaps even madder graffers, a great line-up of speakers - all brought to the Queen Elizabeth Hall by us, Riz MC Ahmed and British Underground. The only downer? It pissed down with rain - but that didn't stop the 700+ capacity bringing the rave inside:

United Underground!
Ctrl.Alt.Shift have joined forces with Riz Ahmed and British Underground to throw a rooftop party at the Southbank Centre.



You don’t have to leave London for a summer festival experience. Across the spaces of Southbank Centre's Queen Elizabeth Hall - including the re-opening of the roof as a venue space - hosted by Ctrl.Alt.Shift, British Underground, Southbank Centre and actor and musician Riz Ahmed/ Riz MC, United Underground is a unique mix of cutting-edge street culture, music, artwork, fanzines and film set against a backdrop of new-school activism.



The event has been specifically created to promote active engagement with new music and its potential as a catalyst for change.

Activism, music, talks, film, art and crafts will be the order of the day...

Read the full article here

Mr Catra @ Guanabara Club - Ctrl.Alt.Shift

I love a Latin rave, for more reasons than one. The people (the girls... achem), the vibe, the music - put that together with Brazilian rapper Mr Catra headlining a night, and we've got a winner! Here's my Ctrl.Alt.Shift review of a wicked night on the dancefloor:

Ctrl.Alt.Shift @ Mr Catra
You've got to love a proper Latin rave up. No - I'm not talking about what you might see some girls doing on MTV Base, or the vibe at some beginner's Salsa club. That's all groovy. But boy, Mr Catra's gig at Guanabara Club in London last night was just a taste of how crazy ting tings can get when Brazilians get manic on the dance floor.



What is defined as a mixture of funk, samba, rap and electro, Catra simply calls 'Baile Funk' - the music he grew up jamming to, straight from the impoverished sectors of Rio, and a vibrant sound that Catra is now almost single-handedly trying to deliver to a mainstream audience. The Brazilian star comes fully equipped with heavy beats, the guarantee of mass booty shaking, and socially engaged lyrics about life in the favelas (shanty towns) of Rio, the harsh realities of gang warfare and police brutality, and optimistic hopes for the future...

Read the full review here

Behind The Scenes @ Donaeo 'Let It Out' Shoot

It's not all seriousness in my world of journalism - sometimes you've got to improvise, have a laugh, enjoy the rolling punches and grasp the mad opportunities that may cross your path in the bustling city that is London town - let loose and 'Let It Out!' (as singer Donaeo finely puts it).

So, despite having limited musical skills (playing lead in a band as an emo-teen band doesn't count) and lacking on acting calibre (being called 'brittle' by my drama teacher in Year 8 stunted my dreams of ever becoming the UK's first Asian James Bond) - I headed down to the making of Donaeo's 'Let It Out' video in south London; after being abruptly summoned/invited by my Ctrl.Alt.Shift editor, desperately seeking a token Asian boy extra (thanks for thinking of me Chantelle Fiddy!). In all honestly, it was wicked day, I got a free lunch, an IOU from the boss, and all I had to do was release two balloons on camera...watch below - around 25 seconds in:



It was all good - and at least better than the girl who had to spit Tesco-value cherryade into the camera lens for her bit part. Other than that, I got to see the ins and outs of a video shoot (something off my list), bump shoulders with Donaeo himself, alongside rappers Wretch 22 and Double S, the always-inspirational actor Isaac Ssebandeke (and the rest of his crew from Channel 4's Dubplate Drama) - PLUS all the lovely female extras, who were thankfully just as lost as I was. A very random, but ultimately memorable stamp in my journalism chronicles. And who knows, there may be a 007 chapter on the horizon yet...

Bashy Interview - Ctrl.Alt.Shift

I caught up with rapper Bashy to find out about his latest album 'Catch Me If You Can', his work in Africa, and how to hustle the grime game. Bish, Bash, Bosh - here's the Ctrl.Alt.Shift review:

Ctrl Meets Bashy
Ashley Thomas aka 23-year old grime star Bashy, is making movements and hitting music headlines. With a mass underground fan base building with love for his first two mixtapes 'Ur Mum Volume One' and 'The Chupa Chups Mixtape - Assorted Flavours' (all before releasing his debut album this June) - get ready, get set, for an era of the bish, bash, bosh boy from West London.

From music projects with Blur's Damon Albarn in Nigeria to being an ambassador for the UK's 'No to Knives' campaign, Ctrl.Alt.Shifter Dwain Lucktung spoke to Bashy about his life and fast times, inspiring the next generation from UK to Africa, and how 'Catch Me If You Can' is going to turn and bop heads this summer...



Would you say your rise to fame was unexpected, with your bus driving past times?
Rise to shame you mean? Nah, I don't think like that, I don't think of it as fame you get me. And I wouldn't say unexpected - I mean, I did hope to get here, because bus driving was just killing me, killing my soul.

How do the hustling youth get big in the game?
They need to look at their own life experiences, draw on their stories, form their own style and come with a new, innovative angle.

What were the highlights of your time in Nigeria, working on the Africa Express project (the ever-expanding coalition of African and Western musicians) with Blur/ Gorillaz's Damon Albarn?
Meeting the Nigerian people, experiencing Nigerian culture, eating the Nigerian food; the pounded yam, ground rice and cat fish - boy, I was eating that everyday. I enjoyed the whole lifestyle over there. And of course it was great working with the likes of musical genius Albarn...

Read the full article here

Who's Scared Of The Big Bad North Korea - Ctrl.Alt.Shift

Are they a nuclear THREAT? Is an intervention necessary? Geared up with my Ctrl.Alt.Shift t-shirt and photographer, I hit the streets of London to bring this issue to the public. Some of the comments were shocking - read all about it!... below:

Vox Pops: A-bomb-ination
Oh here we go again. Are we about to see another media frenzy of having 'Weapons of Mass Destruction' (WMD) plastered all over our front pages? It seems likely, except this is a far cry from Bush's subliminal messaging – the latest rumbles in the world are coming from North Korea's recent underground nuclear missile testing.

And boy, have they pissed almost everyone off. According to Yonhap news agency, UN diplomats are discussing "tough measures" with regards to a resolution to punish North Korea's actions. Bear in mind UN Resolution 1718 imposed sanctions on North Korea after their first nuclear test in October 2006 - they didn't play by the rules then, and they're certainly not playing by the rules now; with last Monday's blast having the power of a 4.5 magnitude earthquake (an explosion up to 20 kilotons according to Russian defence officials).



But with a zero death count, what's all the noise about one might ask. The US ambassador to the UN, Susan Rice, said: "The US thinks that this is a grave violation of international law and a threat to regional and international peace and security" - that coming from a nation that dropped atomic bombs on Japan in 1945, killing more than 220,000 people in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. But that was then, this is now, and nations including the US, China and tell-tale neighbours South Korea, have all voiced their anger and concern at one of the world's most impoverished regimes taking yet another defiant step towards WMD status - this all coming after liar liars North Korea promising to walk away from long-running disarmament talks (agreeing in February 2007 to abandon their nuclear ambitions in return for aid and diplomatic concessions). However, throw another spanner in the nuclear works, as these plans stalled after North Korea accused its negotiating partners - the US, South Korea, Japan, China and Russia - of failing to meet agreed obligations – which brings us nicely, and sadly onto today's predicament...



After false promises to North Korea, can anything really justify their latest devastating actions? And what is to come of this small, but ever powerful and feared nation? Ctrl.Alt.Shift took this explosive subject to the streets and asked:

What is your stance on North Korea's recent nuclear bomb testing (in light of their history)?
Why do you think they carried out such tests?
Do you think it's right for powers in the UN and US to pass down judgement and punishment for North Korea's actions?
What punishment would you bestow upon the nation?
And do WMD's have any place in this world anymore?

Joel, 18:
"Given the fact that North Korea is a dictatorship, this doesn't surprise me at all. I'm not sure what the motivation for this is, however it is going to be political. I think the UN and US have a right to pass judgement because while they possess the same weapons, they are not actively testing them - I feel there's a huge difference between active nuclear testing and already having the technology. In terms of punishment, I wonder if any sanctions or military action would actually make a difference to the situation...I don't think so. There is a phrase that sums up the need for WMDs, and that is: 'If you want peace, prepare for war'"

Read the full article, along with the other comments here

March Against Police Violence - Ctrl.Alt.Shift

This march to New Scotland Yard hit close to home, having witnessed police brutality first-hand (on more than one occasion), and losing faith in the authorities (a long time ago).

East London's Newham is a rough area to grow up in, by any standards - and among the many shootings, stabbings, muggings etc, one thing remains missing from the picture of these particular dark memories - and that is the presence of respectful and effective po po. Unfortunately (and I say that with sadness that it is unfortunate), for many of my crowd, we've grown up being made to feel guilty whenever even approached by the boys in blue, even when we're the ones dialing 999. Trust is further abandoned when the innocent die at the bloodied hands of the law - but it's too fewer a time we see the responsible receive the fate of a criminal commiting the same crime. The uniform gives you power to protect the people - NOT RULE THE PEOPLE. If my sentiments seem melodramatic, read my Ctrl.Alt.Shift report below of this march against police brutality; and pay special attention to the story of Sean Rigg, one of the many alledgely killed by police without justice:



Young Blood: Who Killed My Brother?
When it comes to an age of activism, some say there's a grey matter, somewhere between the late 80s and now. Some claim we've come down to an apathetic generation with a lack of fight - and in turn, certain sceptics identify an uphill struggle, in Ctrl.Alt.Shift's mission to make activism 'cool again'. Then again, certain others have then said to me (and rightly so) that it's not even a question of 'cool', but having the sense of fighting for what's important - yet repeating the same tone of scepticism with belief that the distant past movements for women's rights and racial equality have done the militant dirty work for us, leaving our present overly-comfortable, lazyboy state of mind. I mean, it's not crazy to think that some, at times, can find it difficult to get to grips with today's issues and injustices that are blowing up so far from home; things like Gaza, Afghanistan, Iraq, the Tamil Tigers, DRCongo and the rest of the world's tragedies that don't necessarily affect our everyday lives. Now stop in your tracks - as on Saturday May 23rd this entire notion died, as I listened to a woman scream for 45 minutes: "Who killed my brother?" Her gut-crunching wallows are important to the most apathetic of all of us.



This woman was Marci Rigg, sister of deceased Sean Rigg - leading the United Campaign Against Police Violence (UCAPV) rally from London's Trafalgar Square to New Scotland Yard last weekend. Let me set the picture for you: 21st August 2008, 40 year old Sean Rigg was arrested and restrained by four Brixton police officers, placed in a van and taken to the police station - one hour later, he was dead. The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) are meant to be conducting an independent investigation into his death. However, so far, the Rigg fam claim to have experienced a cover up of vital CCTV evidence, a biased investigation in favour of the police (with interviews of the officers involved taking place a whole seven months after the incident). Sean was not formally identified by his family (in fact they were actively discouraged from seeing Sean) - and eventually after much fighting, the family were able to view Sean through a glass box, finding wounds to his head - described in the IPCC's post mortem as a 'wound to his cheek'. This bullshit farce is why Rigg's family cried down the speakerphone, "Who killed my brother?" with the crowd chanting back "The Police!"

Read the full article here

Ctrl.Alt.Shift Films!

Working for Ctrl.Alt.Shift comes with numerous highlights (run-ins with the law, reporting from DRCongo and chucking Fairtrade bananas at Tesco to name a few). But this one included sitting back, eating popcorn, and doing one of my favourite things - watching films! Yes, we put on a wicked film premiere, and a manic after party, to promote, and celebrate the 5 winners of our short film compeition in early 2009. Below gives you more on that, all the info on the movies and links to actually watch them - so get the munchies, put your feet up and enjoy:

Newsflash! Ctrl.Alt.Shift Film Premiere
Banging live music, five stunning films, applauding and cheers, a sick after-party, free wine and beers - Ctrl.Alt.Shift know how to get down when it comes to putting on a film premiere.

Near-on 500 movie-goers and Ctrl.Alt.Shift supporters crammed into east London's Shoreditch Studios last Thursday 14th May. All came to catch the five short global injustice-tackling films created by the aspiring movie-maker winners from last year's Ctrl.Alt.Shift film competition. And anyone from stars of the productions, to their friends and family, to the directors and producers themselves were present to join in engagement and awe of the finalised flicks - each one based around a Ctrl.Alt.Shift key issue of either War + Peace, Gender + Power and HIV + Stigma.

Mark Dolan (of Channel 4's 'The World's...and Me' series) stepped up to the stage to draw in the crowd already enjoying the free popcorn. After a brief intro to the project, he presented the first film - War School; which explored what would happen if a child soldier regime was implemented into the British schooling system. To my relief, the two lead actors sat happy-go-lucky in the front row of the audience and applauded their own performances in this great, awareness-striking, opening flick.



Next up, HIV: The Musical depicted one man's sorrow, as he (actor Martin Freeman) reluctantly watches his HIV-awareness theatre idea transformed into a ridiculous camp musical by a shameless, money-grabbing director, played by actor Julian Barratt. The film was hilarious, but although there were tears of laughter (at lyrics such as: "Your erection - no protection - my heart exposed to this infection"), there remained the significant and important undertone of how many ignorant stigmas there are surrounding HIV.




Man Made was the story of a mannequin who is being examined and sold to a buyer - the scene being a metaphor for a victim of sex-trafficking. This haunting flick, in the style of the Saw movies, brought an astonished hush across the audience as they came to realise what the abused, cigarette-burnt mannequin represented.



The penultimate movie, A Thousand Voices, was a remarkable animation telling the tale of refugees detained indefinitely in British government with little or no attention brought to their dire circumstances. These forgotten people were brought to life, and to light by this flick that sounded telephone recordings of the desperate asylum-seekers awaiting deportation in cell-like conditions.



Finally, No Way Through depicted what it would be like if unjust Gaza-like military check-points existed in the UK. A cyclist gets mowed down in the opening of the movie, yet despite the persistent efforts of the driver to find her medical help, they are denied access to any aid due to the road-blocks and couldn't-give-a-damn officers on guard. It's a frustrating, head-shaking couple of minutes watching this young girl slowly pass, and yet constantly always a few steps away from being saved. Remember Gaza - Free Palestine echoed in my head.



After the amazing display of movies and global issues, it was the talk of the night from then on, which in part, is Ctrl.Alt.Shift's intentions for every project that we create – opening eyes to things that need to be seen and changed.

Before and following the screenings, the buzzing crowd were indulged further with performances by four of the music acts behind the film soundtracks, Jesca Hoop, The Thirst, Chipmunk and Shy Child. Then the shaking and grooving moved out, down the streets of east London to the after-party at Legion club, where DJ MistaJam spun some old-school garage, a bit of jungle and a touch of Dizzee to finish the night off on a high. Even the likes of rappers Giggs, Professor Green and Example, artist T-Magic and Adulthood star Adam Deacon dropped by to feel the ground-shaking vibes.

The film premiere was live. I crawled home at 3am, and whilst that journey remains blurry, the images and messages delivered by the films cut deep; look at the injustice, count yourself lucky, consider those unlucky, fight for change, fight against injustice - the power of film is a wonderful thing.

Ctrl.Alt.Shift Jobs Promotion

This is a short piece I wrote for Ctrl.Alt.Shift online to promote 9-month internships at our head quarters. Do you like the pics of me and Ben Anderson? - the former glorious interns i.e. the new ones are going to have to step up their games to meet our 24/7 heroic hustling:

Ctrl.Alt.Shift Gap Year - Apply Now!

Are you in that "What the hell do I do next with my life" mode? It happens to the very best of us, whether you've just graduated from university, are half-way through and looking for a year out, or have finished your A-levels and are in hot pursuit of a year of work.



For those of you that the above applies to, the Ctrl.Alt.Shift gap year is your chance to make exciting movements. As you already know, Ctrl.Alt.Shift is a global movement for change, with the initiative itself funded by Christian Aid.

Forget this dire era of financial and job crises, by applying for the scheme, you could end up working at Ctrl.Alt.Shift.



Credentials? As long as you're over 18, passionate about global justice and down for getting involved with the youth - you're in the running for the role. It's nine priceless months, from September 2009 - June 2010, of networking, crossing borders and barriers, rallying up your fellow peers to make a difference, and proving to any sceptics that we are the generation of promise and positive change...

Read the full article here

A Coffee Revolution In Sheffield - Ctrl.Alt.Shift

We travelled up to Sheffield to spread the word of the Ctrl.Alt.Shift movement - setting the scene in a small coffee bar for an intimate gig. It was actually a nice reward for my day of hustling in the cold, recruiting the Sheffield students (students, who always seemed more opinionated and enthusiastic than any political crony), getting sign-ups and generally networking my ass off. After 10 hours of that, I was happy to relax to some nice beats, reminiscing over my studenty days with a bagel and some cheap coffee (swiftly followed by a snake bite).



Here's the review:

Ctrl.Alt.Sheffield Gig @ Coffee Revolution
This week, Ctrl.Alt.Shift hit the streets of Sheffield to spread the good word of the movement, soak up all the youth activist freedom-fighting talent, whilst recruiting some of our own Ctrl.Alt.Shifters from the windy city.

Our street team began by prepping for and promoting Ctrl.Alt.Shift music showcase, Justice's Call; a global development awareness and injustice-combating night set up alongside Sheffield University's Open Space Society.

In and around our venue - the Fairtrade shop Coffee Revolution, in the heart of the university's student union - it came as a welcome surprise that many of the students we were signing up had already came across our project. Erin, a 23 year old engineering student coincidently took part in Ctrl.Alt.Shift's Newcastle hand mural earlier this year, and she was delighted to catch our red t-shirts roaming around her city: "It's so great to see you guys bring the cause to Sheffield." Jeremy, 18, an arts student who had a ticket to Ctrl.Alt.Shift's Sadlers Wells HIV-awareness dance show in London last year said: "There's a massive student population here that will thrive on the cool things this initiative is doing."

And, in the midst of flyering, one 25 year old Japanese student called Karla whispered in my ear that she had seen the Ctrl.Alt.Shift logo graffed on some tunnel walls around the city - evidently the ripple affect of the movement is making headway above and beyond my own expectations.


What to Say?

Sam Browse | MySpace Music Videos

Onto the music show, with an immense line-up of Sheffield favourites, including rebel with a cause Sam Browse, giving an acoustic tribute to anti-fascism, anti-racism, "Love and Politics," and a quick shout out to Ctrl.Alt.Shift's work saying: "Much respect to these (Ctrl.Alt.Shift issue 3) magazines here on the tables, looking through, it's great to see such a celebration of women." The atmosphere was reminiscent of an old-school jazz café; chillaxed and serene with the strumming beat of Browse's guitar...

Read the full article here
Photo: Flickr user hardillb

Herita Ilunga Interview - Ctrl.Alt.Shift

Since coming back from a reporting trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo in late 2008, I've been a lil obsessed with everything, well... Congolese. I fell in love with the culture, the warmth of the people, eager to understand in greater depth the struggle; I missed and wanted more of the good, the bad, and the ugly stemming from this wonderful African nation. So of course, when an opportunity came along to grill one of the DRCongo's most respected players, West Ham's Herita Ilunga, I leaped on it studs-showing (despite the fact I'm Man Utd blood to the core).



He dodged my questions regarding the decade-long African civil war involving his country (fair enough, he probably didn't want to get politically lost in translation, with me having to revive my rusty French to conduct the interview), but he had a lot to say about football as inspiration, his work with intiative Congo Now! to revitalise his people back home, and explained why his colleagues 'deserved' their ridiculous millions:

Ctrl.Alt.Shift Meets Herita Ilunga
He's becoming a firm West Ham favourite out in east London - as a fearless, world-class defender with a true, nowadays, rare sense of appreciation and loyalty in professional football; as emphasised by his recent snub of big boys Liverpool to become a permanent Hammer (at least for four years). Herita Ilunga, 27, has already scored a lot of the golden goals that those back home, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, could only dream about - in being a multi-million earning player delivering crunching tackles for both Premiership club and country.

Yet despite these dizzy heights, Ilunga doesn't seem to have lost sight of his grass-roots. This is illustrated by his recent work with Congo Now! - a week of London based awareness-raising events set up by multiple injustice-combating organisations to draw attention to the crisis in Congo (an ongoing African conflict which has slipped from the headlines, but not from memory in recent months). Ctrl.Alt.Shift reps Dwain Lucktung and Mervin Martin hunted down the man to get his thoughts on the matter, as he kick-started this year's Congo Now! campaign with a photo-shoot at the Houses of Parliament. In between camera flashes, we discussed DR Congo, talked about his work on and off the pitch, and questioned the money-obsessed sport that was once the beautiful game...



How do you feel representing your country on the pitch?
I am very proud, of course. But it's a shame because we had the opportunity to represent our country (in the World Cup) after 30 years of absence - in fact we were first throughout much of the first-round qualification part - but at the end we lost the last two games (against Malawi and Egypt) and we ended up third. So it was disappointing.

Can an African nation finally win the World Cup in 2010?
I think that an African can possibly win the World Cup if the team is well motivated and eager to win - but it remains a difficult challenge. But we'll support any African country that appears in the tournament.

What are your thoughts on the Homeless World Cup (HWO) in Milan later this 2009?
(The HWO is an annual football tournament, a project giving over 25,000 homeless people - coming from across 60 different nations - the chance to rep their country on the pitch). I agree with what they're doing, and I am willing to help any operations concerned with helping and promoting countries, and people in bad situations. The most important thing is the organisation - it has to be well organised and everybody has to be united and work towards the same goal.



Tell me more about your work with Congo Now!...
The project is to sensitise everyone with what is going on in the Eastern part of the country and also in the rest of Congo; to mobilise all nations, the international community, so that Congo stays in the limelight. And hopefully others may realise that they have an important role to play in stopping what is going on over there; in turn helping the war victims, the innocent people who are in the middle of the conflict...

Read the full article here

ABC (Action For Brazil's Children's Trust) Exhibition - Ctrl.Alt.Shift

I'v been playing guitar since I was 13 - it's a hobby I thrive on, jamming along like an emo with my mates. Life doesn't get better than being a Hendrix wannabe... So it was quite the treat for me and Ctrl.Alt.Shift to be invited to this charity exhibition/auction in Shoreditch, London, set up by ABC (Action For Brazil's Children's Trust) to raise funds for the underprivileged children on the streets of Brazil. The main attraction was 12 customised guitars, each created by marvellous and eccentric artists from here, and Brazil. I'm ashamed to say, the temptation to snatch and run was ridiculous:

Ctrl.Alt.Shift @ A Forca De Gua Exhibition
Upon walking into London's theprintspace, my eyes lit up as I saw an array of spectacular customised guitars; each one graffed-up, funked-up, gleaming with sheer genius graffsmanship. As a guitar player, I felt to snatch and vanish ninja-style, until I remembered - these were up for auction, and all proceeds were going to the poorest children in Brazil. Bugger.



A Força da Rua (Force of the Street) exhibition, which opens to the public this week, had the slickest UK graffiti alongside the very best kept graffing secrets repping from the developing cities of Brazil - all set up and brought together by ABC (Action For Brazil's Children's Trust). The organisation, who support the AA Çianca children-aid project in the Sé region of Sao Paulo, created the event to raise funds and awareness of Brazil’s most vulnerable youngsters - of which there are over 12,000 (in Sao Paulo alone) roaming the streets without a home or family. Lucky for them the limited edition prints, special commissions and especially the 12 exclusive guitars on show (six by Brazilian graffers and six by Brits) had large packs of people hovering around, itching for their chequebooks. Unfortunately I don't own a chequebook and have just enough money in my wallet for a bus ride home...

Read the full article here