SEEN Magazine Launch at BOUND Art Book Fair

SEEN is a new Manchester-based music magazine, created by global majority and marginalised communities. Conceived of in 2021 with a bold anti-racist manifesto, it was founded to counter the London-centric narrative that often dominates music journalism. Celebrating unheard voices, it hopes communities can narrate their own stories and heritage, while connecting with global scenes linked to Britain’s colonial history.

SEEN was founded by three music industry professionals living in Manchester with funding from Arts Council England and Manchester Music City.

The SEEN founders are:

Tunde Adekoya, the Artistic Director of Big People Music and Big People Community CIC, who is of Nigerian - British - English - London - Mancunian descent.

Kamila Rymajdo, a journalist and academic, predominantly writing about music, the creative industries and popular culture, who was born in Poland but grew up in the UK.

Balraj Samrai, a musician, facilitator and record label director from the Midlands, UK, who has been based in Manchester for over 15 years, working in both the music and education sectors.

The first issue celebrates Manchester music, spotlighting the migration journey of Somalia hailing musician HMD who’s settled in Moss Side via Denmark and DJ Paulette, who’s written about the need to unionise DJing. The magazine also explores musical scenes such as the feeling of belonging and joy that Manchester’s fledgling amapiano movement has provided for the city’s South African community and a reflective account of the UK’s South Asian undergrounds.

For Bound Art Book Fair SEEN present a panel discussion with the founders and writers Tayyab Amin and Santina Robinson, whose work features in Issue One.

Host or Publisher SEEN Magazine