MoYah is an Afro‑fusion Hip Hop artist and cultural producer whose work explores identity, heritage and social justice. Born in Mozambique and raised in Portugal, his creative practice is rooted in lived experience and community connection. Since moving to Bristol, MoYah has been closely involved with Trinity Community Arts, contributing to youth‑focused creative programmes, collaborative projects and spaces that centre Black creatives and cultural expression.

Who is MoYah, and how did your relationship with Trinity Community Arts begin?

I’m an Afro‑fusion Hip Hop artist and cultural producer. My work is shaped by themes of identity, heritage and social justice.

My relationship with Trinity began when I first moved to Bristol and was looking for a connection. I came across Black Creatives, which had just started at the time, and I’ve been attending since the very first meetup. That space helped me connect with other creatives in the city, and over time it’s grown into something consistent, with regular events and shared purpose.

I’m now part of the board, where we help promote each other’s work, share opportunities and organise monthly sessions and outings. The relationship with Trinity has developed naturally over the years, and it’s become an important base for both my creative work and collaborations.

What projects are you working on at Trinity Community Arts?

I’ve been leading the Speak Out project alongside Sukina Noor, delivering workshops and mentoring sessions with young creatives based in Bristol. We’re also working with Patchwork Prod on a video that captures participants’ growth and development throughout the programme.

I’ve used spaces at Trinity for a range of other projects too, including sessions from the Hip Hop Garden programme, which I’m delivering in collaboration with Bristol Drugs Project. As part of that work, participants used the studio to record a track and rehearse together, which was a powerful and meaningful process.

In addition, Trinity hosts our Black Creatives monthly sessions, providing a consistent and welcoming space for people to come together, share ideas and support each other’s work.

Where do you see gaps in youth provision for young people in Bristol?

One of the biggest gaps is the lack of consistent, long‑term support. There are some amazing initiatives across the city, but many are short‑term or underfunded, which makes it difficult to build trust and real progression with young people.

I also see a gap in creative pathways that genuinely lead somewhere. Young people are often encouraged to express themselves, but not always supported to turn that expression into skills, opportunities or careers.

There’s also a real need for culturally relevant spaces where young people feel safe and supported to explore their heritage, talk honestly about the challenges they face, and speak their truth without feeling judged or limited.

Hype Dance Company has been part of the Trinity Bristol family for over two decades, offering vibrant street dance training for children and young people across the city. Founded and led by Bristol-based dancer and mentor Natasha Benjamin, HYPE stands for Helping Young People Excel – a value that underpins everything the company does.

Created as Girls With Attitude, Hype Dance Company has now been running for almost 23 years, using dance as a powerful tool for confidence, discipline, creativity and belonging. Today, Hype runs open Wednesday street dance classes at Trinity for children and teenagers of all abilities, alongside highly respected performance teams who compete and perform nationally and internationally.

“I truly love what I do and feel grateful that I’ve been able to make a positive impact on young people’s lives. Seeing their growth and confidence is what makes it all worthwhile.”

– Natasha Benjamin, Founder of Hype Dance Company

Hype is far more than a dance class. For many students, it becomes a second family – a safe, supportive space where young people feel seen, encouraged and challenged to reach their potential.

Auditions for performance teams are not based on technique alone. Behaviour, attitude, teamwork and respect are just as important, ensuring that dancers grow not only as performers but as role models and leaders.

From 2007 to 2025, 98% of Hype students progressed into further education, with many former members now working professionally in dance – touring with major artists, performing in the West End, appearing on television and film, and teaching the next generation.

Natasha Benjamin: founder, mentor and role model

Natasha began teaching dance at just 16 years old, shortly after becoming a teenage mum. Determined not to let circumstances define her future, she built Hype to show young people that belief, perseverance and community can open doors.

“I wanted young people to know that no matter your background, your struggles or your age, you can still achieve great things if you believe in yourself.”

Her contribution to the Bristol community has been widely recognised, including an Olympic Torchbearer nomination (2012), a High Sheriff Award (2021) and a Community Thank You Award from Eastside Community Trust (2025).

Making dance accessible through subsidised places

Trinity has been an essential part of Hype’s journey, providing a trusted and welcoming home for classes, rehearsals and families. Through funding from BBC Children in Need and Bristol City Council’s Youth & Play Network, Trinity has supported 20 subsidised places each year for three years, helping remove financial barriers for families affected by the rising cost of living.

These places ensure children and teenagers can access consistent training, performance opportunities and a strong sense of belonging.

From younger dancers settling into a new city, to teenagers developing leadership skills and beginning to assist with teaching, the impact of Hype is seen every week in the studio. Older students are increasingly stepping into mentoring roles, while younger dancers are building confidence through performance and teamwork.

Recent achievements and what’s next

Over the past six months, Hype dancers have celebrated outstanding competition success, including multiple first-place wins at the Soar SDC, Electric Dance Championships, and UDO Street Dance Championships, as well as performing on the main stage at Super Dance Weekender in Birmingham.

Looking ahead, dancers are preparing for performances at:

• St Paul’s Carnival
• Bristol Harbour Festival
• World Street Dance Championships

For more on HYPE, head here

Echo, a new one-day international music and cultural exchange festival, takes over Trinity in Bristol on 30th May with a free, all‑day programme of live music. Celebrating nearly 80 years of cultural exchange between Bristol and Bordeaux, the festival brings together grassroots artists from both cities, Binbag Wisdom, DJ Koyla, Josephine Gyasi, MĀDŁY, Okali and t l k, in a genre‑spanning celebration of shared creative practice.

Taking place on Friday 30th May at Trinity, he free one‑day festival marks the first chapter of this new cross‑border cultural exchange between Bristol and Bordeaux, developed in partnership with Le Rocher de Palmer and Twin Cities Fest, and delivered during Trinity Community Arts’ 50th anniversary year.

At its core, the programme brings together a diverse range of artists whose work spans hip‑hop, DJ culture, neo‑soul, alt‑theatre, spoken word, and immersive live performance.

As part of the event, we will have Binbag Wisdom, a boundary‑pushing hip‑hop trio blending sharp lyricism, theatrical comedy, and live turntablism to redefine what a hip‑hop performance can be. Fresh from a sell‑out run of their new show The Ballad of Wee Willy Winky, Binbag Wisdom’s live sets balance humour and honesty, creating performances that are as emotionally resonant as they are entertaining.

The line‑up also features DJ Koyla, a French‑Burkinabè multidisciplinary artist whose high‑energy sets draw from 90s house, afrobeats, funk, and disco, alongside Bristol‑based DJ and cultural connector Josephine Gyasi, known for instinct‑led sets rooted in embodiment, rhythm, and connection with the room.

MĀDŁY, a Paris‑born, Bristol‑based multilingual singer, rapper, and poet, brings a powerful live project combining neo‑soul, nu‑jazz, and hip‑hop, supported by an acclaimed band of Bristol musicians. Alongside Okali, a multidisciplinary music project blending spiritual African influences with neo‑trip‑hop, performing songs across English, Eton, Zulu, and French.

“Echo is about building real connections through shared creativity, across borders, cultures, and communities.” - MĀDŁY

Alongside music, audiences can expect food and drinks from local traders. A family‑friendly and relaxed garden‑party atmosphere, making Echo an accessible, welcoming day out for all ages.

Background

Echo is a new international cultural exchange programme connecting Bristol and Bordeaux, two cities officially twinned since 1947. The project is designed to strengthen long‑standing cultural links by supporting grassroots artists and creating accessible opportunities for audiences to engage with international creative work.

The first edition of Echo takes place in Bristol at Trinity. The programme reflects Trinity’s long‑standing commitment to lowering barriers to participation, amplifying underrepresented voices, and creating inclusive arts spaces where culture is shared rather than consumed.

Echo is delivered in partnership with Le Rocher de Palmer, a leading cultural venue in Bordeaux, with a strong focus on global music and community engagement, and Twin Cities Fest, a project celebrating cultural exchange through music and international collaboration.

Following the Bristol event, the festival will continue its journey to France, with the second chapter of Echo taking place at Le Rocher de Palmer in Bordeaux on 19 September, ensuring the exchange flows in both directions.

We took advantage of warm, sunny weather and were able to take these sessions outdoors, which created a relaxed atmosphere.

Working outside encouraged freedom of movement, conversation and experimentation, and the children responded with enthusiasm, confidence and a real sense of enjoyment in their creative processes.

These sessions are funded by Bristol City Council through their Youth and Play Grant, which enables local young people to explore new opportunities and engage with the local community. A big thank you for the continued support!

Over the two days, the children demonstrated curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to try new ideas, resulting in a collection of vibrant and unique outcomes. They worked well in their small groups, making friends with peers from other schools in the area. They also managed their own need for breaks and independently formed smaller groups to enjoy the garden space, where they played games and relaxed together.

Day One

Imprinted Clay & Plaster Face Sculptures - This activity, focused on texture, form and surface, led by artist Dorcas Casey, gave children the opportunity to explore mark-making in clay, pressing in vegetables and plants to create expressive, tactile faces. They experimented with composition, facial features and imprint techniques, resulting in a diverse range of thoughtful and characterful sculptures.

Shiny Collage Suns – The young people were invited to play with reflective collage materials, layering papers and foils to explore light, colour and pattern. This activity encouraged bold design choices and experimentation in arranging materials.

Day Two

Art Cakes - The children built 3D cardboard cakes, combining colour, shape and structure to create playful, decorative pieces full of personality. This activity allowed the children to problem-solve with 3D shapes, while also keeping attention to detail.