South of the Bridge: Welcome to the Vibration and Energy of Brixton, London

Experienced by Kimatni D. Rawlins,
www.PoeticThought.com

The observance of life led me to the diaspora and Caribbean flavor of the Brixton side of London. Energized with Black culture from Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad, and nations all across Africa, such as Ghana and Nigeria, the town was sprawling with positive energy, one love, vegan eateries, and people vibing to reggae and Afrobeats!

In my short time at Brixton Village, I met Brixton Streetwear owner Pete, a political and history correspondent who was working out but stopped by the iTal eatery — Veg & Tings — where I was reasoning with owner and chef Brian Danclair while grubbing on a veggie roti and plantains, purchased new roots reggae from a Rastaman selling mixtapes, picked up fresh fruits and veggies at The Black Farmer grocery store which was playing Damian Marley’s Welcome to Jamrock. How cool is that?

It’s vitally important to understand that music is the central theme in Brixton. Every shop or restaurant I walked past highlighted dance-inspiring rhythms. For example, a BMW drove by rocking Nas while I was on my way to All Roads soul food restaurant, chilling out to its mellow vibe. Newly opened, the traditional ethnic cuisine of African Americans with deep roots in the American South attracted the likes of London’s finest. At the same time, oldies, R&B, and Afrobeats filtered through our ears in the background. Reggae concerts and performances are omnipresent here, from local shops to bigger sets at Brockwell Park. Tarrus Riley and Dean Fraser will be in town soon, as well as The Roots Picnic and Nas close by in Crystal Palace.

From an entertainment perspective, I asked everyone I met about the show Top Boy and if it was a natural depiction of Brixton gangs and king pens, or sensationalized theatrics to garner more views for Netflix. They said the outlook is currently not representative of the vibrant London Borough of Lambeth, but it was a few decades ago. However, I did walk through one of the neighborhoods where key scenes were shot.

Back to the culinary experience, meet the man who feeds Brixton Market: Brian Danclair, chef and founder of Fish, Wings & Tings. Everyone in the Market knows Brian, and Brian knows everyone. He buys local when he can, teams up with the neighboring kitchens instead of competing with them, and hires from the community. It’s his strategic method of running restaurants. You’ll find him moving between his four spots: Brixton Village, Fish Wings & Tings, Veg & Tings, and Danclair’s Kitchen. His roots stem from abject poverty while growing up in a one-bedroom hut back in Trinidad. Today, he is overflowing with gratitude and serves plates, shakes hands, bridges people together, and makes sure nobody leaves Brixton Village hungry or unnoticed. So come say hello!

But keep in mind—like most urban communities around the world, from Harlem, NY to Fells Point, Baltimore—gentrification has also hit Brixton, which residents from all nations now represent. And with that comes increased real estate prices. A small two-bedroom flat could easily run you 700,000 quid. A dichotomy of new opportunity and trepidation of what the future presents for businesses and locals is the narrative in Brixton. Hopefully the community and its soul prevail.

In Brixton, I enjoyed the inviting energy, the art, the vegan cuisine, the unifying conversations, and the elevational vibrations. So, travel wide and live the life you love, people!