NDOP. Inside Scoop with Scottish Creatives.

25th June 2022 was an exciting, busy day for creatives that were involved with NDOP by BAMILEK, Scottish-Cameroonian brand. NDOP brought some of Glasgow’s underground artists and performers together with the city with live music, food, all to create a unique show in the middle of the city’s very own Buchanan Street.

BAMILEK took to social media to promote their performance on Buchanan Street as well as the communal Barbecue which took place in Glasgow Green. Alongside BAMILEK, the musicians, dancers, promoters, and various other creatives who were there to show their support for the event promoted the event on their own separate accounts which garnered a lot of attention for the event.

NDOP’s line-up consisted of Sinathi, MAWADDAH, 1 BLUD DANCE COMPANY. CHELSEA K, ACE V!S!ON, Danny Cliff, Lauren Glancy, Hannah, Patsy, KC, Renay, Tiny Buddha, Flava J and Youngwon. For accessibility to the event, BAMILEK streamed the performances on Buchanan Street through their Instagram.

Patsy & BAMILEK.

When in discussion with Patsy, the owner of BAMILEK and the key organiser of the NDOP showcase and picnic, she revealed that the event only took a month to plan as the premeditation before it wasn’t extensive before the event came into full fruition. Patsy had travelled to Cameroon to source materials to use for BAMILEK items and knew that an event like NDOP was something she wanted to and put the plan into action by reaching out to various different acts and performers with a “Yo, do you want to be in a show?”. Free events like this one happen so rarely in Glasgow and seeing it come to life from scratch was really inspiring and showed that public interest for performances with a sense of community is always high, especially post-pandemic when everyone is craving that connection.

Patsy also gave a big shout out to everyone who helped bring NDOP to life: from her business partner Harry, to close friends like Christian and Harvie, and even her momma and auntie too! BAMILEK’s identity lies on being by the people, for the people, and it was amazing to see how many people were there to show support for a display of the diaspora. When asked what Patsy would like to achieve from this in terms of both development of BAMILEK and the outcome of the NDOP event, she shares that she didn’t really have an end goal, but definitely wants to have her own BAMILEK shop to further share her looks and designs.

ZA: You could have made this (NDOP) a you thing, strictly BAMILEK, but you included a bunch of us Scottish creatives, why?

Ptsy: More time, you have to do that anyway. Hiring people and all. So why not hit up the people around me? And they are super talented, it’d be dumb not to! I’m repping my people like they’re repping me!

ZA: Word to! Were there any moments during planning, rehearsing, and putting this all into fruition that you felt any anxiety or feelings that could sabotage it? If so, how did you overcome it all?

Ptsy: Well, I was like “Oh shit. What if the clothes I made don’t fit the artists?” Which a lot of items didn’t. like the trousers. But it didn’t really change much cause I had the graphic tees and stuff to give them regardless. I was also worried it would rain today which it didn’t! It rained last night though. Buckets.

ZA: Mums. I was monitoring the weather app throughout the lead up to this event like, “It better not rain”. Your brand is out here being shown off to get locals more familiar with it, is that what you’re going for?

Ptsy: Yeah! Just getting it out there. People have got to know about it. I should be telling my people over here before telling other people elsewhere that don’t even know me.

ZA: We’re aware that rehearsals took place before this final event. Did those run smoothly? and do you mind just comparing the energy at those versus the energy live?

Ptsy: Well we only had three rehearsals in total. The first one was really to just see who was on it. If you didn’t turn up you just weren’t going to be in the show. There were two mandatory rehearsals. The people that attended are here today. The people that weren’t, aren’t.

ZA: So was it a volunteering situation? Did you put it out there like, “Yo, who wants to be a part of this?” or did you reach out to people specifically?

Ptsy: No. I went to people specifically. Because I’m really precious about my vibes you know? I like my vibes, not everyone should be able to come mess it up! In rehearsals, the energy today was exactly the same, except nobody really knew each other.

ZA: That’s crazy the artists have only met like three times because they all seem so close and friendly like they’ve known each other for time.

Ptsy: Right?? Like they’ve met more than three times!

Patsy provided us a lot of insight to the process of BAMILEK and how the NDOP event came to life which we’re really grateful for. We also managed to catch up to a few of the creative minds that were out there, laying on some grass with cold cans of Fanta Fruit Twist, chewing on chicken fresh off the grill made by @Doubleosonlyscrans. Patsy’s brother. We caught up with Danny Cliff first.

Danny Cliff.

ZA: Danny! You’re wearing a small designer, who is it?

Clff: *points to the tribal print shirt he has on blue’s and orange’s* BAMILEK.

ZA: Do you think the piece you’re wearing represents you as an artist? Or even the vibe of your music?

Clff: It does because it’s part of my heritage! I’m proud to be African. Big up the people. Love.

ZA: Big up the people! Love. Alright, how are you feeling in terms of performing, rehearsing and collaborating with other artists in the lead up to this event?

Clff: (I’m) feeling awesome man. Feeling great, you know? Family is here, friends are here, supporters are here. I can’t wait to perform!

ZA: This is not your first time performing?

Clff: It isn’t, no.

ZA: This is regular to you.

Clff: It is regular, it’s like a part time job.

ZA: I hear that. What is your favourite song to perform? We’ll link that right up.

Clff: Oh! “Fall in love too easily” because the people love it! It’s catchy.

ZA: Alright! Thank you and good luck performing!

Clff: Thank you.

Although it was a brief, mellow conversation, Danny Cliff puts emphasis on the fact that what he does is for the people. There is a clear connection between him and his audience, especially when performing one of his most popular songs, “Fall in love too easily” that makes the performance experience more enjoyable for him.

We hung around for a bit and enjoyed the performances. A slightly colder breeze hit us as the day transitioned from day to evening and we headed towards ACE V!S!ON and Chelsea Keir, who seemed to be having a conversation of their own. I began recording the moment which perfectly captured Chelsea noticing a bug on Eli's chest, as well as her terror to such news.

Anyways:

Chelsea Keir and Ace V!s!on.

ZA: You’re wearing a small designer, who is it?

Ace & Chls: BAMILEK!

ZA: Do you feel like the piece you’re rocking can represent you or your music?

Ace: Ooo. Good question.

Chls: Well, today I wore both BAMILEK, and Amaka’s Accessories. I’d probably say Amaka’s accessories is more-

ZA: Your vibe?

Chls: Yeah, I literally bought the skirt. Like, the moment I saw it at her fashion show, I needed that. Beautiful, beautiful collection. I loved it! But with BAMILEK? She (Patsy) put in so much work, going to Cameroon, and making these especially for us?! Well done, Patsy!

ZA: So how do you think the outfit by Amaka represents your music?

Chls: It’s just flowy. I don’t know. It’s hard to explain how a piece of clothing represents you.

ZA: Flowy, Earthy.

Chls: Yeah. that’s me.

ZA: What about you, Ace? Do you think your lil’ pants represent you and your vibe right now?

Ace: See my clothes match my vibe, but I feel like my vibe contrasts my music in a lot of ways? cause people hear me and they’re like-

ZA: “I didn’t expect him to sound like that”

Ace: To sound like that! Right, cause I’m all colours, then my music comes on and it’s a bit deeper. So…no it doesn’t match my music at all but I like that. I love catching people off guard.

ZA: And your music is all about “Don’t judge a book by its cover”, so it works.

Ace: Yo! You was listening.

ZA: I’m listening. I’m listening.

Best believe there was a clean dap up here.

ZA: Next question for y’all, how are you feeling? And tell us a bit about how rehearsals have been, how you’ve collaborated with other artists during this time etc

Ace: I’m feeling great. Definitely seeing the fruits of everybody’s practice coming through. I only attended one rehearsal session. And that session…it motivated me. Seeing other people perform gave me inspiration. I want to be as good as everyone here.

ZA: Can you compare the energy at rehearsals to the live thing? Was it the same?

Chls: Yeah.

Ace: Yes. Mm.

ZA: Consistent. That’s what Patsy was talking about!

Chls: I mean If we went to rehearsals and the energy wasn’t it, we’d be pretty concerned about working together, but it was natural. Energy at rehearsals was great! Seeing everyone’s different styles, everyone just embracing themselves, it’s just so nice.

ZA: Aww! That’s so wholesome! So is this your first time performing?

Ace: Not my first time.

Chls: It’s not my first, no. but I am new to this. This is me stepping out of my comfort zone. Every time you step on the stage you get more and more confident and comfortable, so this is a good step for me.

ZA: Got you! Why did you guys want to participate in this?

Ace: Well first off, Patsy’s my friend. So if she asks… but also the combination of events. It’s not just us performing. It was like, you’re going to wear designer outfits, going to be outside. It’s unique.

Chls: I feel like, as much as we get to represent ourselves as individual artists, we get to represent designers and dancers. I just like the variety. We’re getting to represent both ourselves and each other!

ZA: That’s cute. You guys are cute. What was your favourite song to perform today and why?

Ace. You got me thinking now, oh snap. I think “Sweet Cassandra”, the second song I performed. Just because it’s very raw, vulnerable, honest. That song is always hard for me to perform.

ZA: You’re real with it.

Ace: Yeah. I really get into it. Someone told me they felt like they were watching a drama. cause I feel the emotions when I say certain things.

ZA: There was a girl next to me while you were performing and she said “Oh I think I’m gonna cry”

Ace: Say swear? Really?

ZA:Swear. Swear down.

Chls to Ace: I’ve been saying. I tell you this every time. When you perform you feel your words.

ZA: Yeah, it’s real authentic.

Chls: Mm!

Ace: Thank you.

ZA: What about you Chels? What was your favourite song to perform?

Chls: Mine was probably “Fantasy” just because I can have the most fun with it. I struggle more with the slow songs because I really have to embody them. But when it’s a song I can have fun with I feel more relaxed. You know? That’s the song I’m planning to release next so I’m excited!

ZA: Do you have any released music?

Chls: I do, I do! I have a four track EP on Spotify, singles, music videos…

ZA: We’ll link all of it! I think that’s all the questions I have for now so thank you so much.

Chls: Thank you! It was nice to finally meet you as well.

Ace: Thank you.

The NDOP event ended in Glasgow Green with seagulls and passer-by’s joining us all on the grass. The event curated by BAMILEK’s Patsy and all the performers who performed had such an amazing turn out, and now that it has passed, hopes of a second event similar to this is in the talks. You don’t wanna miss out on the next one!