REKINDLE Drops the beat: Critical Thinkers album launch success!

Well, everyone, the last notes have faded, and the buzz from July’s “Critical Thinkers” album launch is still very much in the air. It was a fantastic culmination of six months of hard work and creativity from our young people, guided by our dedicated Creative Educator, Nehru Mckenzie. 

The album itself, “Critical Thinkers,” is a truly impressive collection. Pressed on vinyl, it features a dynamic mix of Lo-Fi, Hip Hop, and Electronic tracks, all produced by the talented young people here at Rekindle. It’s a testament to their dedication and burgeoning skills in music production.

Adding another layer of talent to the project, the striking album artwork was created by Rekindle’s very own Artist in Residence Otis (pictured bottom right). This piece (shown below) marks his first commissioned artwork, a significant achievement and a beautiful visual representation of the album’s spirit. Well done Otis! 

The launch event was a vibrant gathering, filled with Young People and Rekindle staff. A highlight was the Q&A session, where Josh (pictured right, below), one of our young producers, confidently spoke about his production process and the positive impact Nehru (below, left) has had on his music journey.

He also shared his exciting plans to release his own EP within the next 12 months, a testament to his ambition and the skills he’s developed. It was then up to Otis, who held the space like a true artist, to explain the process behind his own artwork, how he came up with the idea and freedom Rekindle has given him to develop creatively. 

The “Critical Thinkers” album launch was more than just a party; it was a powerful celebration of the creativity, collaboration and potential within our young people at Rekindle. It truly demonstrated their ability to create impactful work.