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Composing Sonic Futures

A discussion on music as a world-building tool

,The Lakeside Room
A black an white image from above of Black performers in what appears to be a church space

© Julianknxx: Act III, 'Listening in Quantum'. photography by Brennan Bucannan

How can music be a catalyst for world-building? This discussion between music artists opens up the process of music-making to explore how sound can be a key instrument in imagining futures.

Music and sound have long been instruments of dialogue and information-sharing between communities, building languages to be shared by people all over the world. 

Processes of music-making can be expansive, collaborative, and improvisational, drawing from both grounded realities, ancestral knowledge and imagined futures to create sounds that invite audiences and artists into a communal way of experiencing and adding to world-building.

Join DJ and curator JJESS in conversation with Roxanne Tataei, THABO and Ragz Originale, who share their processes of world-building and creating new realities through music and sound.

This isn't a talk, it's a conversation. A chance to gather, connect with others and grab some food. Let the conversation continue over small chops provided by Garden of Afruika.

Tagged with: Talks & events Project a Black Planet: Events & Gatherings

Duration: 1h30m (approx.)

Ticket Releases:
Tickets for this event are released in batches. Currently, we have only released the first wave. Subscribe to our Creative Collaborations newsletter for information on further waves.

Accessibility:
Induction loops are available at this event.

Speakers

Roxanne Tataei is a boundary-pushing vocal artist, performer and composer whose work fluidly bridges music, opera and contemporary art. Nominated for an MTV Europe Music Award and recognised in the BBC Sound of... poll, she has toured internationally, supporting artists such as Florence + The Machine  and Grace Jones. Her performances and collaborations span world-renowned institutions including Venice Biennale, Lincoln Center, V&A Museum, Royal Albert Hall and National Portrait Gallery. 

Roxanne’s diverse practice encompasses contemporary opera, award-winning performance art and film, from scoring Gucci’s WATA to contributing to the BAFTA-winning My Father’s Shadow, alongside residencies at Britten Pears Arts and the Horniman Museum. Her Southbank Centre residency culminated in writing, composing, directing and performing her 1st opera, The Water Carrier, now in development with The Royal Ballet & Opera and the Southbank Centre — cementing her reputation as a singular, genre-defying creative force.

THABO is a musical being working with sound, lineage, and imagination. Through music, film, performance and installation, he explores Bantu culture across past and future to reimagine the present. Recent works include Finding 15 (Sky Arts) - a short film exploring how to build a village around your purpose. Dreaming Being (Opera North) is an audiovisual installation about the first encounter between a human being and a dream. He has collaborated on projects led by Julianknxx and by Akeelah Bertram, artists whose work aligns with his own. These works have been presented at Tate Modern, Leeds Art Gallery, Barbican, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Stedelijk Museum, Opera North, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Gulbenkian Foundation and TBA21.

Jessica Ajose, professionally known as JJESS, is a London-based DJ, curator and broadcaster working at the intersection of music, multimedia, and community. With a deep-rooted passion for storytelling through sound, her work is grounded in culture and connection. JJess is the founder of Dancefloor Theory — a multi-dimensional platform and research entity. Under its umbrella sits hard to explain, easy to feel, her community-led music platform and listening sessions that champions discovery, emotional connection, and shared sonic experience. Through every mix, event, and project, JJess invites audiences to not only hear music but feel it — creating spaces where community, history & sound converge.

Ragz Originale, an Ivor Novello nominee, is a multidisciplinary artist redefining the UK's R&B and alternative scene. Renowned as a British singer, songwriter, and producer, crafted classics for many acclaimed artists such as Skepta and Sampha. He is known for creating timeless music that resonates deeply within the contemporary British music landscape. He then released his MOBO-nominated Album 'Bare Sugar' in an all-encompassing body of work, drafting an A-list roster of features (Knucks, Bakar, Tiana Major9 etc), pushing the limits of rap, soul, electronics and all-around artist expression upwards and outwards. After 2 years, Ragz released his follow-up album titled 'keepsake' in January 2026, continuing to push the sound bar for himself, fans and culture.

Garden of Afruika

Garden of Afruika is a London based, African-Caribbean, plant based food ‘thing’. At the moment, we do restaurant pop ups, event catering and free cooking clubs, as well as engaging in other community initiatives. We see food through a pan-African lens and always aim to explore and celebrate each others culture through food.

The Lakeside Room

Location
Level 2
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS

Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.