Photographs of dance music icon DJ Paulette and nationally acclaimed singer-songwriter, HMD, taken by young talent Daniel Oyegade,were exhibited at the Longsight Art Spaces in conjunction with Seen Magazine.
It was the magazine’s second event since launching in September last year and saw close to 50 people in attendance at the intimate exhibition space.
The showing featured a live discussion with DJ Paulette, chaired by the mag’s co-founders, and sets by DJ Scapa, followed by a stunning performance by HMD. (Hear the exclusive recording below.)
The theme running through the evening was a call to “go out and do it” which celebrated the creative community in Manchester and also encouraged creative people to seize the initiative in their local community.
“Just go out and do it yourself.”
Daniel Oyegade
Daniel Oyegade is a Manchester-based freelance photographer working primarily in fashion and portraiture.
After completing a law degree in 2020, Daniel said he had known for a year that he wanted to pursue a different path.
He described his early ventures into photography: “I had no idea what I wanted to do.
“I was shooting for model agencies … a lot of people reached out to work with me … so I went to see if I could do a Photography Masters (MA).”
Soon, his hobby and side-hustle transpired to be his calling.
“I really love the process of photography; from shooting, to developing it myself; scanning or in a darkroom.
“Doing it all by hand – it’s very tactile.”
He described the joy of “seeing that finished image when it’s up in a gallery”.
Daniel was picked up by Seen to photograph artists DJ Paulette and HMD.
“I shot DJ Paulette at her house. HMD – we shot around his home in Moss Side.
“I tried to really represent them through the images.”
Represent them he certainly does – and more.
Daniel’s portraits not only capture the character of their subjects; he interweaves the urban environment of Manchester in such a way that embellishes their depiction.
The lines between art, artist and city converge, giving the impression of a creative ecosystem whereby all elements live, breathe and thrive in symbiosis.
So what advice did Daniel have for other young people thinking of embarking on a creative career?
“Understand what it is that you want to do … Get a little crew, even if it’s just friends – and evolve on your own.
“Just go out and do it yourself.”
“I’m loud. And I don’t care. That’s what’s kept me going.”
DJ Paulette
DJ Paulette is an award-winning DJ and icon of British dance music with a global career spanning 30-years.
Rising to prominence in the Acid House scene, she was one of the first women to have a residency at the infamous Hacienda nightclub.
She now regularly features on BBC Radio 6 Music and continues to play sets across the world.
DJ Paulette echoed Daniel’s encouragement to seize the initiative:
“Visibility is one of the keys … I’ve had a very strong online presence since 2000 [when] I started my first website.
“I detest social media – but you’ve got to do it. If you don’t – you’re struggling to get heard and seen.”
But the real kicker?
“Being bloody minded.
“I’m loud. And I don’t care.
“That’s what’s kept me going.”
Yet the DJ Mag Lifetime Achievement Award–winner (2022) goes a step further.
In a powerful piece she wrote for Seen called ‘Union City Dues’ she advocates for DJs and others in the industry unionise.
The piece details DJ Paulette’s experience of the various horrors of an unregulated industry.
“If we were a member of ‘staff’, if we cut ourselves; tripped over; got electrocuted; they’d have to record it. But for DJs – nobody cares.
“We don’t have the same rights.”
Referring to her work at the Musicians’ Union North of England Regional Office, DJ Paulette said:
“The point … is to make a presence of DJs as a valid part of the Musicians Union.”
Seen’s Kamila Rymajdo commended DJ Paulette for being “very vocal about reclaiming Manchester music history to include marginalised perspectives”.
DJ Paulette referred to her personal experience: “I’ve come up against gatekeepers … who only see the other people like them.
“It’s our responsibility to see those [marginalised] people who don’t fit in those boxes.
“Because, when you look outside those boxes – you find the real gold.
“I’m a woman; I’m black; I’m on the intersection of everything – so I’ve been overlooked for years.
“I hope it doesn’t take anyone else as long to do what I’ve done.”
After the talk, singer-songwriter and producer HMD (pronounced ‘Ham-Dih’) delivered a stirring and wonderfully intimate acoustic performance.
Born in Mogadishu, Somalia, HMD spent his early life in Denmark before moving to Moss Side in 2001.
He has achieved national acclaim for his EP ‘W16nter’ and high-profile singles ‘DEEN’ and ‘Trauma’.
HMD described his inspirations for writing and performing music:
“The subject matter is just my life; sh*t that pisses me off … stuff that upsets me and stuff that inspires me.”
“You’ve got to have purpose beyond yourself.”
HMD
On his new, soon to be released EP, which was written over the course of the last 5 years:
“It’s refined – I know exactly what I want to say now.”
Following on from the discussion with DJ Paulette, what advice did HMD have for young people from marginalised groups trying to break into the music industry?
“I believe my heritage was a crutch for a long time. And that’s not the case.
“Don’t shy away from your heritage.
“Whether you’re white, black, or any other colour … embrace it; all walks of life.
“We all have a story to tell.”
And how about dealing with self-doubt?
“There’ll be times when there’s no money, and times where there won’t be any motivation. There’ll be friction against you or your ideas…
“You’ve got to have purpose beyond yourself.
“Figure out what distracts you – take a break from it. Then, figure out what you love and remind yourself why you love it.”
HMD’s newest single ‘Asha’ is due to be released early in May, this year.
You can find HMD’s and the other featured artists’ sites via the links throughout the article.
Like the symbiosis of art, artist and the city captured in Daniel’s photographs; the exhibition itself was an intoxicating exercise of creative community.
Seen magazine’s next event Sonics, Stories and Scenes of the Diaspora will take place on July 1.
For full HD photos please contact @tom.farish (Instagram)
