This year has been truly remarkable for me, filled with milestones and firsts. It began in January, when I received the Best Community Music Workshops (East of England) award at the Global Excellence Awards — a recognition that set the tone for the months ahead.
Throughout the year, I’ve had the privilege of delivering a wide range of workshops and masterclasses across schools, colleges, universities, and community settings throughout the UK. Each session reinforced my passion for using music as a tool for education, creativity, and connection.
Representing MU members
In July, I was honoured to join the MU’s East and South East England (ESEE) Regional Committee, and attend the 2025 Musicians’ Union Delegate Conference as a delegate for the first time.
The experience was both inspiring and insightful, offering opportunities to network with incredible musicians such as Emily Saunders (Queen of Jazz Fusion) and Roger Wilson (Director at Black Lives in Music).
Xidus attended this year’s Musicians’ Union Delegate Conference as part of the ESEE delegation.
Taking Edutainment to the U.S.
One of the highlights of my year was my Edutainment Tour of the East Coast of America, where I became one of the first UK artists to deliver masterclasses at Howard University alongside the legendary Dr. Msia Clark.
The sessions sparked deep discussions about global hip hop, the UK scene, and Black identity, while students produced impressive lyrical work using my writing exercises.
During my visit to Howard, Professor Jazz Young (MBA) — a music icon known for over 30 years as Promotions Coordinator at Def Jam Records, working with artists such as Jay-Z, DMX, LL Cool J, and Run-DMC — attended one of my masterclasses.
She was so impressed that she invited me to the Warner Music Blavatnik Center, where I was warmly welcomed by students who had researched my work. They had my videos on large TV screens as I was welcomed into the building, and they interviewed me about my journey.
Professor Young expressed interest in forming a partnership and thanked me for my contribution to advancing hip hop culture globally.
Building global connections
My U.S. tour also included a masterclass at George Washington University with Dumi Right of the legendary group Zimbabwe Legit, as well as creative collaborations in Connecticut with Stars of Beyond and Brooklyn rapper Shadow Star, where we recorded a podcast and new music.
Another unforgettable moment was touring The Hip Hop Museum in the Bronx, thanks to CEO Rocky Bucano and his son Kyla. The museum is a stunning tribute to the genre’s legacy — a cultural landmark for music lovers and the Bronx community alike.
While in New York, I also received a special artifact: the Microphone of Peace — a microphone crafted from melted gun metal, designed by students in West Philadelphia and produced in Sweden using Humanium Metal, in partnership with Hip Hop Loves. Much like the Olympic torch, this microphone travels the world as a symbol of peace and the power of words to inspire positive change.
The Microphone of Peace is a unique musical artifact made from melted gun metal, symbolising peace and unity through music.
Spreading the message at home and abroad
Just before returning to the UK, I was invited by the world-renowned Sofar Sounds to be a panelist at their first-ever Fringe event in London, held on October 11. It was an incredible experience where I had the opportunity to be interviewed by Rafe Offer, one of the founding members of Sofar Sounds, and to connect with an inspiring community of fellow musicians and passionate music fans.
Throughout October, I’ve been taking the Microphone of Peace across the UK, particularly to rural communities, where I’ve been leading workshops that celebrate hip hop’s history, collaboration, and self-expression while promoting respect and understanding between people.
In November, my journey continues with workshops, performances, and panel appearances at Hip Hop Cinefest in Barcelona, Germany, and Italy — and of course, I’ll be accompanied by the Microphone of Peace.
Keep the movement going
If you or your organisation would like me to bring the Microphone of Peace to your community, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Let’s keep spreading knowledge, creativity, and unity through music.
Revisit Xidus’ 2024 Black History Month blog, where he reflects on his personal journey through hip-hop — from cyphers to social impact.