My name Adam Taha. In the Yemen and in the Yemeni community in Sheffield I’m known as Alawi Abdulla Abu Bakir Taha. My performing name is the One Dark Angel. I was born in Yemen and my parents, like so many Yemeni parents, left the Yemen to come to Sheffield due to the boom of the steel industry. I followed later with a passion for music, singing and song writing. I started writing songs and singing from a very young age age, butÌý kept it a secret for 18 years.
 | | Scene from Adam's comic |
I’veÌý worked with different bands that played Jazz, Soul and Blues. I’veÌý worked with DJs that moved the floor with Drum N Bass, Garage, RnB and House music. Whatever flava came my way I took it with an open mind because it gave me the opportunity to work with musicians from all levels. I am now a solo artist, IÌý hire musicians to follow the music I write. MyÌýalbum will be released in December 2004. SKILLZ - THE HIP HOP COMIC
I successfully received funding from Creative Burngreave which is a creative and performing arts initiative to revive and support Creative Arts within Burngreave. This has given me the opportunity to bring the legends back to life: Malcolm X, Marvin Gaye, Martin Luther King and present legends such as James Brown in aÌýHip Hop comic that tells the story of a character called Skillz. The education system failed him. The system doesn’t help him set up in his dream, which is his own recording studio, and record label. He is confronted with the temptation of crimes and drugs but the legends appear and work hard to remind him of the many great black achievers in the past.
 | | Cover of Adam's book |
This comic couldn’t have come alive without the funding, the support of Creative Burngreave and I thank them for believing in my work. KEEP THE FAITH TRILOGY – HELLO WORLD
I've written the first volume of a series of books called Keep the Faith. The book and the Hip Hop comic is about a Yemeni boy’s life in Yemen and in England.
It details the experiences a youth goes through when his parents leave them in Yemen and bring them to England, how the education system fails and still fails the black and ethnic minority students. It will open the minds of readers to the reason why Yemenis and other cultures are in England. It’s a heart wrenching story of friendship, brotherhood, faith, abuse, neglect, courage and hope. YEMENI NEWSPAPER – YEMENI RHYMES
The Yemeni youths aren’t being engaged in schools and colleges. I realised how ignorant many communities are of what Arabs/Muslims contributed to the West. I am working towards setting up a newspaper that unites all the Yemeni youths and youths from all communities. I am applying for funding for a newspaper to be set-up. Local youths will be the journalists, photographers, and graphic designers, engaging Yemenis in schools and colleges. This newspaper will grow from local to global. I don’t trust the education system and believe we have to take responsibility to inspire the youth. THE HOOK MAGAZINE
Due to the lack of support for artists within Sheffield, the lack of the Asian Scene being celebrated and seeing that such magazines are always coming from outside Sheffield i.e. London and USA; I thought it’s time to provide a a magazineÌý to celebrate Sheffield artists within the RnB, Hip Hop, Garage artists and the Asian Scene and culture.
 | | Scene from Adam's comic |
The magazine is under wraps until the first issue is out, in November.Ìý Due to the positive partnership with a Sheffield music magazine called Sandman, we’ll have future opportunities to distribute nationally. THE FUTURE
I am a singer and songwriter first, my vision is to use my songs and adapt them into creating films but using Arabian andÌý Asian culture in England. I didn’t start this journey for a record deal because I don’t want anyone putting me in some box or genre of music. I just want to make create my songs and make them into films. I would like to build a Performing Arts Academy but I don’t know if Sheffield is ready for such a vision. I always look out for artists who need support, I am always willing to use my contacts, if they meet me half way. Some I have helped, others fade away and stay in the same rut. I’m not in the business of baby-sitting but supporting those who will also work for their dreams!
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