Africa Talking Drum: Ayan De First aka Mr Culture

Ayan De First officially known as Mr Culture is a multi-Awards winner, an African cultural Ambassador and the first premier talking drummer in Europe. He eats, breaths and promotes African culture to a wider audience.

AYAN DE FIRST is a miracle child who could not start his primary education until 9 years old due to illness and passing out frequently. He was born to a family of drummers/performers. He started his career at the age of five performing with his dad and uncles. During his primary school days, he was a member of dramatic society as he started promoting community cohesion and inclusion within his vicinity. During secondary school days, he organised drama plays and performances for the community people. As his talent grew as a very young performing artist, it became apparent that he was destined to become a musician which became a dilemma as a science student. His ambition was to become a pharmacist or Medical Doctor. But through his father’s advice and passion for music he changed his career and went to study Contemporary Arts at Ori Olokun College of Arts and later studied drama art at African department Obafemi Awolowo University Ile Ife Osun State Nigeria.

AYAN DE FIRST

His love for the community continued after his graduation as he organised art exhibitions in Nigeria and some West Africa countries which were officially opened with cultural displays. He moved to Britain as a performing and visual artist to work within the educational sectors. He has since worked with over 500 private and community schools within UK organising educational workshops on arts of Africa. Ayan works hand in hand with different Boroughs centres and libraries across the UK on different Africa art projects. He attended London College of Arts Camberwell, London school of Graphics Elephant and Castle to broaden his talent in arts and has recently graduated from Coventry University after obtaining BA Honours in Tourism and Hospitality Management. Ayan has worked with different organisations like Sakoba, Dupe Ariyo OBE (Afruca), Peter Badejo OBE (Bami jo), Femi Elufowoju Ensemble, Utopia theatre, Joyful Noise, Pati Boulaye, Nigeria Community Woolwich, Active Horizons, BME United Doncaster, Culture discovery Liverpool, African Diaspora Festival Milton Keynes, Ede Mi (My language), Art in the Park -Milton Keynes promoting community cohesion and inclusion as well as keeping the youths busy to be well informed as better citizens. Most of Ayan’s performances are charitable as he is passionate about impacting others positively and encourages and promotes unity, family values and respect within the community

Ayan De first is no stranger to serenade the British royal family

with his African drums in Buckingham Palace.

He has performed for the 95 year old Queen of England HRH Queen Elizebeth who recently in the Queens platinum jubilee birthday message of her 70 year reign, confirmed Prince Charles will be King alongside Camila to be made Queen consort of England. He has equally performed for Prince Charles Mr Culture, has managed to keep beating his African drums even during lockdown. He started special rendition surprise grams sent by loved ones to perform happy Birthday song to loved ones. The ever-popular performer was heavily booked for online events filmed at studios which were amongst the few businesses allowed to operate during lockdown in United Kingdom.

His African Rhythms spiced up dull moments during Covid19, bringing people to their feet’s even in their living rooms.

The cheery ever smiling drummer remains humble having performed for decades at prestigious events and in front of global dignitaries such as high commissioners and heads of states. The iconic symbolism of Africa has bridged the gap of culture

and class, the beat is loved by young and old and draws humanity together in forgetting themselves and focusing on celebrating life and even the death of loved ones.

Ayan De first has defied the African belief of following traditional careers having a background in science he chose to follow his passion which made room for him at the top table to perform for Kings and Queens.

His appearances on British TV include “Come DineWith Me”, and extends to other international media platforms such as CNN, radio FM and BBC radio. Ayan De first makes Africa proud with his multi-faced career which includes theatre arts. He is the CEO and founder of African Cultural Gala Night UK, Oduduwa Talking Drummers and ADF School of Arts and Culture. His theatre plays includes Tickets and Ties, The Secret Of Baba Segi’s Wives directed by Femi Elufowoju Junior and Iyalode Of Eti directed by Moji Kareem Elufowoju.

Ayan De First, also runs drumming workshops to ensure the tradition is passed on to future generations. He believes in legacy and very proud of his strong African heritage. He has been known to make appearances at British airports that caused a spectacular carnival-like experience. Mr Culture presents authentic Yoruba, Ibo and Hausa music from Nigeria as well as music and cultural heritage from other African countries such as Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Congo etc. With the African trade agreement, the African drum connects the whole of Africa as a unified language that the whole of Africa sings in unison. His name entered record books when he became the First African musician to be invited to perform on Channel 4 ‘s programme ‘’Come Dine With Me’’. He has been interviewed severally on BBC Radio and FM.

The impact of technological development on performing arts and music is very remarkable.

Ayan De First is a regular performer for Dignitaries amongst are, former President of Nigeria Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Abubakar Salam, African Ambassadors, Alaafin Of Oyo, Ooni Of Ife, Harriet Hamman, Oba of Lagos, Peter Mandelson, African Ambassadors, Lord Mayor of London, Sir Richard Branson, Madonna (hip hop artist) and many more.

He performs at different festivals across Europe and has performed at top venues such as Royal Albert Hall, Royal Festival Hall, Ronnie Scots, Heathrow Airport, Somerset House, Apothecaries Hall, and many more highly recognised venues in United Kingdom and in Europe.

The growth of digital enhancement on the performance of musical instruments is equally overwhelming. That said, the traditional skills and styles of performing music and entertainment cannot be replaced by tech especially in live acrobatic performance meaning that the skills and contributions of musicians like Ayan De First known as Mr Culture will continue to be appreciated for many more years to come.