Inspired by the 60th anniversary of the Bristol Bus Boycott, artists from Bristol have come together to release ‘We Rise’ – a powerful track that aims to inspire a future built on the principles championed by those who took part in the original Bristol Bus Boycott in 1963.
The Boycott was a landmark protest against the Bristol Omnibus Company’s refusal to employ Black or Asian bus crews, leading to a significant victory in the UK civil rights movement and changing attitudes towards discrimination. The new track We Rise channels the resilience and hope of the civil rights trailblazers who transformed the nation, and is set to launch ahead of Windrush Day at Bristol Beacon as part of Windrush To Bristol, a programme celebrating the rich cultural legacy of the Windrush generation in Bristol.
Commissioned by Bristol Beacon and Curiosity UnLtd, the project was delivered by Aspiration Creation Elevation CIC (ACE), based at Docklands Community Centre in St Pauls – the heart of the Bus Boycott movement. ACE brought together talented young artists Elarbe, Dreamz, Jayemm, and Cstar to collaborate with seasoned music mentors Andre Currie, Javeon, Tanya Lacey, and Liam Callaway. The result is an empowering track that reflects on past struggles whilst rejoicing in the progress made.
As part of the track’s creation, the artists involved in the ‘We Rise’ track visited Parliament alongside individuals that took part in the original boycott, attending a reception hosted by Bristol West MP and Shadow Culture Secretary Thangam Debbonaire. This visit highlighted the historical significance of the boycott, which paved the way for the Race Relations Act of 1965
Photo credit: Cameron Medford-Hawkins