KEMA SIKAZWE -

BOARD MEMBER

Kema Sikazwe is also known as Kema Kay. Brought up in the West End of Newcastle upon Tyne. Kema developed a passion for rap, singing, and song writing, which he developed in a local youth project where he spent most of his time as a teenager. It was not until his early 20s he became interested in acting where he went on to land a leading role in BAFTA, BIFA Palme D’or award-winning film ‘I Daniel Blake’, as well as an appearance in 2016’s Lady Macbeth. Eager to learn and build his craft, he attended Live Theatre regularly, becoming an associate artist which led to writing and performing his debut show ‘Shine’ at Live Theatre which toured to Edinburgh, receiving a 4-star review in the Herald, as well as The Guardian. Since then, he has gone on to explore radio presenting where he was commissioned by the BBC world service to present a three-part radio documentary series called ‘Finders Keepers’ about the looting and return of ancient artefacts. 

When not on stage, TV screen, or radio he runs a studio where he gives opportunities to young people to record. He also delivers song writing workshops where he goes into schools, youth projects, and the community to teach others how to use music as an outlet to express their emotions, as well as build their confidence through song writing, singing, and rap.