Ghattie’s Beyond Music stirs emotions in UK
ACETNews
Dubrek Studios in Derby, United Kingdom, recently became a space of reflection, healing, and cultural connection as creatives gathered for Beyond Music: An evening of creative expressions that transcend sound and culture. Among the performances, it was the spoken word presentation by Anthonio Ghattie that emerged as one of the evening’s most emotionally resonant moments, drawing strong audience reactions and personal testimonies from attendees.
Ghattie delivered an original poetic piece that explored themes of identity, resilience, mental wellbeing, cultural memory, and hope. The performance moved beyond entertainment, creating a shared emotional experience that connected deeply with members of the audience across different backgrounds.
Witnesses described the piece as “powerful,” “healing,” and “deeply human.” The response extended beyond applause, with several attendees approaching Ghattie after the performance to express how profoundly the words had affected them.
One testimony in particular underscored the wider social impact of the performance. An audience member shared that his son was currently going through “a dark place” emotionally and that he believed Ghattie’s spoken word could help him find encouragement and perspective. He requested that the work be shared with his son, describing the performance as something that carried “hope, understanding, and strength.”
This response illustrates the growing recognition of Ghattie’s work not only as artistic expression but also as a meaningful contribution to emotional wellbeing and community connection through the arts.
Reflecting on the evening, Ghattie said: “For me, spoken word is not just about performance; it is about reaching people where words are often needed most. If a piece of poetry can make someone feel seen, give them hope, or help them through a difficult season, then the work has achieved something far greater than applause.”
He added: “I want to keep building within the creative industry, especially creating spaces where African stories and culture can be shared authentically on global stages.”
Ghattie’s performance at Beyond Music forms part of a broader body of work that combines artistic excellence with cultural advocacy and social impact. Through poetry, theatre, and community-based creative projects, he has continued to champion authentic African storytelling while engaging diverse audiences within the UK’s creative landscape.
The event at Dubrek Studios highlighted the increasing role of spoken word as a tool for dialogue, healing, and intercultural understanding. In this context, Ghattie’s contribution stood out as evidence of an emerging creative practitioner whose work demonstrates both artistic distinction and meaningful public impact.
As the UK creative sector continues to value voices that combine cultural authenticity with social relevance, Ghattie’s growing portfolio reflects a clear trajectory toward sustained contribution within the national and international creative industries.
