Venna’s Malik: Redefining Jazz Fusion with Soul and Conviction
On September 5th, 2025, British saxophonist Venna released Malik, his long-anticipated debut album. For years, Venna has been celebrated as one of the brightest musicians in London’s dynamic jazz scene, but until now, his solo projects had come in shorter formats: two well-received EPs, Vennology (2021) and Equinox (2023). Malik changes that. More than just an album, it is a bold artistic statement that redefines what modern jazz fusion can be, blending tradition, experimentation, and personal introspection. From South London to the Global Stage To understand the significance of Malik, it is worth looking back at Venna’s journey. Born and raised in South London, Venna grew up surrounded by a rich mix of musical cultures. In that part of the city, jazz rubs shoulders with grime, Afrobeat, reggae, hip hop, and R&B. This eclecticism shaped his musical DNA from an early age. His instrument of choice, the saxophone, became his voice. Unlike many young players who struggle to find relevance for jazz in a contemporary context, Venna never saw genre boundaries as a limitation. His saxophone could flow as easily over a soul groove as over a drill beat. Very quickly, word spread about this versatile, charismatic musician who could bring warmth and depth to any track. That reputation led to collaborations with some of the biggest names in contemporary music. Venna has worked with Burna Boy, WizKid, and RAYE, expanding his palette by stepping into Afro-fusion, R&B, and pop territories. His skill and adaptability eventually earned him one of the industry’s most prestigious honors: a Grammy Award. And yet, despite this success, Venna was not content to remain in the background as a “session player” or side musician. He had a vision of his own, and he was determined to make it heard. Early Solo Steps: Vennology and Equinox Venna’s first solo project, Vennology (2021), was a statement of intent. With its jazzy textures, soulful atmospheres, and rap influences, the EP introduced audiences to a world where saxophone melodies intertwined with contemporary urban rhythms. It wasn’t simply jazz revivalism — it was jazz reimagined for a new generation. Critics praised the EP as “a glimpse of a brilliant future,” and it created buzz among both jazz aficionados and wider audiences. Two years later, Venna returned with Equinox (2023). If Vennology was a promise, Equinox was confirmation. The project included one of his most memorable tracks to date: Sicily in the Box, featuring acclaimed drummer Yussef Dayes. The track stood out for its hypnotic rhythm and cinematic atmosphere, earning Venna even greater recognition. Both EPs showcased his ambition: to remain rooted in jazz while refusing to be boxed into a single category. But they also hinted that Venna was preparing for something bigger — a work that could synthesize his influences into a coherent, mature artistic vision. Malik is exactly that. Malik: The Album as Breakthrough Read more
The Evolution of Movie Posters: From Artworks to Algorithms
I’ve always loved movies, but something that struck me is how little we actually talk about their posters. They’re everywhere, in cinemas, on walls, now mostly online, but we don’t really pay attention to them. And yet, those posters say a lot. They don’t just sell a film, they show how Hollywood plays with our Read more
Billionaires, Publishing, and the Political Power of Books
A year after Fayard was acquired by Vivendi and Lise Boëll, former publisher of Éric Zemmour, was appointed as its director, the house is now releasing Ce que je cherche, the first book by Jordan Bardella, president of the Rassemblement National (far-right french political party). Vincent Bolloré, the French billionaire, already controls a vast media Read more
Nantes and Royal de Luxe: The Elephant in the Brume
Nantes has an elephant memory, and it is time to tell it. This article is not only the tale of a giant mechanical creature wandering through the mist of a once-industrial city, but also of how entrepreneurship and innovation, mixed with a cultural strategy, can reshape a city’s identity. Nantes at a crossroads In the Read more
The story of the free party movement, caught between freedom and repression
“We gather our forces. Then we surround them, and afterwards we strike.”These words, spoken on September 2 by the resigning Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, targeted a free party that had been taking place for two days on land devastated just weeks earlier by wildfires, near the village of Coustouge in the Aude region. A striking Read more
Hazbin Hotel and Helluva Boss: The Most Human of Hells
Introduction: What is the Hellaverse? At first glance, Hazbin Hotel and Helluva Boss seem to be nothing more than irreverent animated series with catchy music and colourful characters. HOWEVER, to limit oneself to their deliberately provocative tone would be to miss out on a universe of unexpected richness, where every laugh hides a wound, where Read more
The Unmeasurable Heart of the Museum – Counting More Than Just Visitors
The spreadsheet on my desk declared the previous quarter a success: visitor numbers were up, acquisition targets were met. But late one night, alone in the Jianghai Museum under the soft glow of the exhibition lights, that success felt curiously hollow. I was preparing for a « Museum Night » event, and the silence around me wasn’t Read more
Transitional urban planning in Nantes
Le Lieu Unique is now one of the most striking cultural venues in the city of Nantes. It is one of the faces of the capital of the Pays de la Loire region and clearly demonstrates Nantes’ ability to use its real estate heritage to develop its cultural activity. Le Lieu Unique was formerly the Read more
San Luigi dei Francesi – a dialogue between cultures
Located between the Pantheon and Piazza Navona, the Church of San Luigi dei Francesi (Saint Louis des Français) is one of Rome’s most significant French landmarks. It was built as the national church of France in Rome and this is immediately obvious, simply by looking at its façade, decorated with French monarchs and saints. It Read more
« Debí Tirar Más Fotos »: Bad Bunny’s Love Letter to Puerto Rico
Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny returns to the spotlight with a new album, Debí Tirar Más Fotos. An introspective and profound project, where the artist moves away from the festive themes that brought him success to explore his roots and addresses topics that are both personal and political. A Musical and Cultural Homecoming After a Read more