“We have a right to make our voices heard in the music industry, and we deserve the opportunity to leave our mark on its history,” states Iquao Aluko.
The 18-year-old student of vocal artistry from West London is among numerous young talents at Access Creative College in Tower Hamlets, all aspiring to build careers in the creative sector.
The college aims to bridge the gap for young individuals from underprivileged backgrounds, providing them pathways into fields traditionally dominated by their middle-class counterparts.
Iquao, who is set to perform at the Wireless Festival in Finsbury Park this Saturday, believes that people from working-class origins “possess incredible stories.”
She remarked, “Music is rooted in our identities. It’s a medium for storytelling.”
For those of us who may not come from privileged backgrounds, we have remarkable narratives to share.
In communities or working-class areas, we’ve cultivated a wealth of talent; our perseverance fuels our creativity.
For those of us deeply passionate about our craft, we absolutely deserve a platform in the industry.
We ought to have the opportunity to imprint our legacy on the evolution of music.”
Iquao credited her performance opportunity to the college’s partnership with the Wireless Festival.
Access Creative College, which launched its new Whitechapel campus in September 2023, reports that over half of its student body identifies as part of ethnic minorities.
According to the British Sociological Association, individuals raised in professional households are four times more likely to enter creative professions than their counterparts from non-professional backgrounds.
This finding is supported by The Sutton Trust, which noted that top-selling musicians are six times more likely to have attended private schools compared to the general population.
Leoni Ryan, an 18-year-old media student at the college, expressed the importance of being part of a creative environment.
“You can forge friendships, and in the future, those connections can lead to collaborations,” she shared. “I think that’s a unique aspect.”
Nathan Loughran, the director of the London campus, emphasized that the college welcomes students from “all walks of life” in one of London’s most economically challenged boroughs.
“What we provide is a distinctive educational experience centered around creativity,” he explained. “Our new facility diverges from typical school or college settings; it’s heavily focused on industry practices.”
