The January Challenge blog series – Bad Lay-Dee

In The January Challenge blog series – we meet people signed up to take part, and hear why they are looking forward to getting creative in January. 

The January challenge is 31 days of creative challenges for each day of the month. All of the challenges are set by YOU! You can sign up here. 

By Bad Lay-Dee

A positive change in 2021!

2021 is going to be a great year. Though I distinctly remember saying that at the start of 2020, and we all know how this year has ended up! Still, I believe we have to be hopeful about the future because, honestly without hope – what have we got?

I launched my own creative venture, Bad Lay-Dee’s music and poetry workshops in partnership with Hackney Museum back in 2018, long before Covid-19 was a recognised term in our vocabulary. To date, I have taught over 3,500 young people how to sing, rap and write poetry and spoken word to help build confidence, self-esteem and create positive change.

Two years ago, the Museum put a call out for a musician/creative to develop workshops alongside its temporary exhibition for Black History Season. The exhibition was ‘Roots, Rhythms and Records’ which celebrated music created by the African and Caribbean community in Hackney.

After winning the commission, I went on to teach nearly 1,500 children from local schools in Hackney, and notably received the best feedback for my workshops that the Museum has had in over 10 years.

Now two years on, Hackney Museum has recommissioned me for Black History Season 2020, to write and present my first ever short film interwoven with original poetry and spoken word ‘A Journey through African and Caribbean History in Hackney on film’.

Even in this current level of uncertainty, if we take the time to look at the things we can do to create positive change within ourselves and/or the world around, there’s always something we can do to make a difference.

When it comes to being creative on a personal level, there are no rules. It took me a while to use some of the headspace I’ve been given in lockdown to be creative, because let’s be honest – there’s so much procrastinating to do! But whenever I find those moments of inspiration, I write. Sometimes I journal, and sometimes I write something more substantial.

Poetry and spoken word can be a great way of getting things off your chest, and once you get in the flow it can be really hard to know when to stop writing! In the cold month of January, taking part in the creative challenge is a great way of giving your year a kick start and helping you to get focused.

I hope you enjoy the challenge and if you get in the zone, just keep on going!

Good luck, Bad Lay-Dee

W: badlaydee.com // Twitter: @thebad1 // Instagram and Facebook: @badlaydee