ABOVE PHOTO: Rosemary Fiki (Photo courtesy of rosemaryfiki.com)
By Kharisma McIlwaine
The Roxborough Music Festival took over the Gorgas Park on Ridge Avenue for a full day of fun for the entire family. An array of local vendors set up shop as they displayed the best of their jewelry, clothing, and food. Little ones took part in rides and put forth their best efforts to win a variety of game prizes. The adults decorated the lawn with blankets and chairs as they listened to an impressive line up of live music. Among the eclectic line up was RoseMary Fiki, a local Afro-Punk artist making quite the name for herself.
Nigerian American, Poconos native RoseMary Fiki made her way to Philadelphia to further her education and pursue her music career. Similar to the stories of many others, the Philly music scene captivated her and eventually became her home. “When I came to Philadelphia, I connected with like-minded creatives who were also writers, artists, producers and from there for me at least it was trial and error. You kind of have to write and do different things to see what your sound is.”
Many new artists find it difficult to find their niche in the music world. Very often artists of color in Philadelphia find themselves placed in the neo-soul category that has become a big part of what’s known as the “Philly sound”. Fiki explained how she was able to create a lane for herself outside of the normal expectation. “For all intents and purposes we are not your typical R&B band, and really that just organically happened. My business partner found Afro-Punk. She said “These people are so raw! The organization and what they stand for is everything we believe and we stand for.” We reached out and felt a natural relationship with them. We did “Battle of the Bands” in 2013, and since then we’ve supported them, volunteered, did some hosting events with Afro-Punk in D.C., and continued working with them.”
As Fiki continues on her journey, she keeps finding herself in the right place at the right time. Fellow musician Ben Arnold heard something he liked which resulted in Rosemary Fiki being added to the Roxborough line up. “About a month ago we did “Beyond the Bars”, which is a benefit concert to donate books and instruments too young teens that are incarcerated. We were on that bill, the show was at World Café Live. Then Arnold, who’s actually going to be playing after us was on that lineup as well. He heard us, we talked afterwords and he said “I put together a lineup at the Roxborough Festival, and I would love to have you and your band perform.” I said absolutely that’s a no-brainer!”
Stay tuned for RoseMary Fiki’s newest single “I Got It” which she describes as “an infusion of my Nigerian roots and the Pop music I grew up on.”
Visit www.rosemaryfiki.com for updates and follow @rosemaryfiki on all social media platforms to keep up with this electric performer.
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