Key Points:
- Boroughs United, a talent show marking its 25th anniversary, returned to the Hackney Empire in north-east London.
- Created by The Crib, a Hackney-based youth project, the event aims to combat postcode rivalry and honour victims of knife and gun crime.
- The show featured performances by dancers, singers, MCs, and spoken word artists from across London.
- Hosted by Jaydon Rhule, 19, with contributions from individuals like Michelle McPhillips, whose son was killed by knife crime, and Laurette Josiah, artistic director of Islington-based Amberliegh group.
- The Crib works with vulnerable youth and provides support to families impacted by violence.
- A video memorial honoured young lives lost to violence in the past year.
- The event also develops young people’s skills in production, with past participants like Pembe Tokluhan, now running her own company.
- Founder Janette Collins MBE highlighted the ongoing funding challenges for sustaining the initiative.
Talent Show ‘Boroughs United’ Marks 25 Years of Building Unity Through Music and Dance
What is Boroughs United, and why does it matter?
Boroughs United, an annual talent show bringing together youth from across London, celebrated its 25th anniversary at the Hackney Empire this weekend. Created by the Hackney-based youth project The Crib, the event fosters unity among young people while tackling postcode rivalries in London’s communities. It also serves as a poignant tribute to young lives lost to knife and gun crime.
“We started this production to show you can bring people together,” said Janette Collins MBE, founder of The Crib, based on the De Beauvoir Estate in Dalston. “Music and dance interest most young people, and that’s where we saw an opportunity to engage them positively.”
How does the show honour victims of violence?
A video memorial played during the event honoured the lives of young people killed in London over the past year. Among the speakers was Michelle McPhillips, whose son Jonathan (JJ) was killed in Islington in 2017.
Addressing the audience, she said: “The Crib gives you a place of home and safety in the community.”
The theme of unity resonated strongly with performers like Tyrelle Johnson, a 21-year-old dancer from Waltham Forest’s Leaders Community group. “I’ve lost people to knife crime, so I feel it’s a really important subject,” he said. “But dance brings everyone together. It’s a safe space where we can express ourselves.”
What impact does Boroughs United have on young performers?
The show provides a platform for performers across London, including groups like Islington-based Amberliegh, whose drumming and dance routine was a highlight of the evening.
“What The Crib does is amazing,” said Laurette Josiah, Amberliegh’s artistic director. “The young people look forward to it every year. It boosts their confidence and gives them something to aim for.”
For some, the experience has been life-changing. Pembe Tokluhan, now a 27-year-old production manager, began attending The Crib at the age of 10. “Boroughs United was my first exposure to backstage work, and it inspired me to pursue a career in event management,” she said.
Can Boroughs United continue for another 25 years?
Despite its success, funding remains a challenge for The Crib. “We have so much work to do, but it’s getting harder,” said Ms Collins. She expressed hope for the future of Boroughs United, saying: “It celebrates young people who lost their lives and those striving to make a difference. It shows we can have unity in our communities – it’s an important message.”
As the event concluded to a standing ovation, its legacy of promoting unity and providing opportunities for young people shone brightly, reaffirming its vital role in London’s communities.
