Alain ‘Fusion’ Clapham Talks SUPERORGANIC, High Vibration Music and Building Cultural Connection

Alain ‘Fusion’ Clapham is a producer, broadcaster and cultural curator whose work has long connected music, storytelling and community.

As the founder of SUPERORGANIC, Clapham has created a platform where hip hop, jazz, spoken word and improvisation collide through live performance, collaboration and artistic exchange.

From spotlighting artists such as Nas, Lauryn Hill and Dr. Dre in the UK, to building spaces that champion emerging voices and cross cultural dialogue, Fusion continues to shape conversations around music and creativity through both live experiences and documentary storytelling.

He reflects on the vision behind SUPERORGANIC, the importance of artistic community, and why music remains one of the most powerful tools for connection.

Please introduce yourself …
My name is Fusion. I’m the founder of SUPERORGANIC, a culture lab that mixes hip hop, jazz and spoken word to bring you high vibration music. I’m a Leo (we bring fire to the world). Born in Tottenham, north London, my dad hails from St Vincent in the Caribbean and my mum is from the Philippines. I started painting at the age of seven, it gave my imagination a canvas for expression; Hip Hop provided me with a frame of reference; the world is my gallery.

Describe your life in one word or a sentence …
A voyage of self-discovery.

Why are we here?
We came here to raise the spirit level. Every single one of us is part of a bigger puzzle with 8.3 billion pieces and counting. Understanding your piece is how you find peace. The aim of the game is to live, laugh, love and discover our purpose before we get tipped back into the box. My ‘spirit level’ philosophy is a reminder that balance is key. Every day is another chance to level up with care, clarity and courage. Remember to seize the moment. Time is the most valuable commodity we have.

Beyond SUPERSORGANIC itself, what kind of energy or conversation are you hoping people tap into?
I want people to connect and find that common ground that is music. Art helps people open up, say things they normally wouldn’t and hear things differently. We want our audience to come, have a great time, discover new artists, make friends and ultimately leave better than how they came.

This Rich Mix edition brings together sounds, traditions and influences that do not always share the same space. What excited you most creatively about building this line-up?
It’s exactly what you said. Giving people a taste of the unexpected and curating it in a way that is irresistible. I very much doubt there is a gig where someone has played the ney (end blown flute) and been followed by somebody playing the steel pan. I think it’s a crazy idea, but I’ve seen these two artists in the same space, at an artist residency for Take Five, and the distance between the two isn’t that far. Hip Hop shrinks it even further. SUPERORGANIC is always a melting pot of music. When the vibe is right, it becomes a story that takes the audience on a memorable adventure.

“Ancient Sounds x Future Focus” sits at the heart of the night. What drew you to pairing the ney and steel pan together?
The ney and steel pan are both instruments of empowerment and resistance. The ney itself is around 5,000 years old, making it one of the oldest instruments still in use today. Faris Ishaq is a master of his craft who is taking the practice into new realms. He’s from Palestine and his music is a reminder that ancient cultures still carry stories the world needs to hear. Similarly, Marlon Hibbert is taking the steel pan to new frontiers. It’s an instrument traditionally associated with carnival and celebration, but its origins, through the transformation of discarded scrap metal and oil cans, reflect the innovation and creative spirit of diasporic people overcoming the odds. His work in jazz is truly groundbreaking and it’s all going to happen on stage alongside Faris and some emerging talent representing the best of the youth.

Both instruments carry deep histories of migration, spirituality and survival. What do you think music can communicate across cultures that language sometimes cannot?
Music has the ability to transcend language and cultures simply because sound existed long before we created language. A chant can enchant or bring you to tears; a beat can raise you to your feet and a melody can make you smile regardless of age, place or belief. I feel we need to remind people of this in a time where conflict and division are becoming commonplace.

National Buy a Musical Instrument Day is woven into the experience too. Why was it important for SUPERORGANIC to encourage people to actively engage with music rather than simply consume it?
With the advance of technology, it’s important not to confuse convenience and comfort with value. National Buy a Musical Instrument Day is a reminder that effort is its own reward. The first step to mastery is taking part. The first day I got my turntables, I was overwhelmed by the complexity of cutting and scratching. I had the same feeling when I got my first drum machine and keyboard, but you’re standing at the foot of the mountain as you gain skills and confidence, you’ll realise how far you’ve come. The journey to mastery is the enjoyment itself. I’d love to inspire more people to pick up an instrument for their own enjoyment. We plan to make this an annual thing, so who knows what could happen in a year’s time.

You’ve moved through pirate radio, journalism, production and cultural storytelling across different eras which of those experiences most shaped the way you build spaces like this?
Stories shape the way I build spaces. I’m always moved by the testimony of artists who have performed on the stages we’ve created or been profiled in a magazine; listeners locked into radio shows; audience members who come up to me months, sometimes years later remembering moments from shows that stayed with them. That’s special.
The very reason why I built the BMT Culture Hub was to create a home that was welcoming, accessible and uplifting. We’ve done art exhibitions, poetry nights, launch parties and SUPERORGANIC was born from that journey. Which feels good.

You helped spotlight artists like Nas, Lauryn Hill and Dr. Dre in the UK at pivotal moments. What do you think has changed most about hip hop culture and audiences since then?
It’s amazing to think that hip hop is now over 50 years old. The artists you mentioned are iconic because they’ve shaped the culture. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to interview them and share their stories. We’re at a critical time for the music, we need a resurgence of spiritual, political and critical voices. Hip hop was always a movement created to mobilise the masses. Public Enemy reminded us that we can “Fight The Power”. We’re here to connect with a new generation ready to take that baton. Artists like La Reezy, Kofi Stone, Jah Digga, Tobe Nwigwe and my SUPERORGANIC family are already putting in the work. We want to connect with more.

Collaboration has always been central to your journey, from producing records with Estelle and Fallacy through to curating SUPERORGANIC. What have you learned over time about bringing the right people together?
I’ve learned that talent is an essential ingredient, but it only gets you so far. Tenacity, integrity, vision and the humility to learn and listen allgo a long way towards making an artist great. The most impactful music has always been a marriage of many minds. If you can put your ego aside and put yourself in service to the art, the rewards speak for themselves.

The artists involved in this edition all bring very different energies and perspectives. What were you looking for when curating the room?
Our mantra is ‘create high vibration music‘. We draw on hip hop, jazz, spoken word and other genres that thrive in that mix. Core artists such as Apex Zero, AyHearts, Rory Scott and Mizz B Ryan move effortlessly across worlds, moving crowds with poetry, raps and sung vocals while working with the band to make the flow seamless. As the host, producer and curator, I find the story that brings it all together and then bring that to life.

Access, mentorship and community are deeply embedded within SUPERORGANIC. Why has creating space for younger and emerging voices always mattered so much to you?
The further we go on this journey of life, we have to see ourselves in others, especially the youth. Creating access for emerging talent helps shape the artists and audiences of the future. That’s a real responsibility and privilege. Honouring those who paved the way is our duty. It keeps us grounded and also revitalises the essential messages in their work for a new generation to embody and build upon.

As this continues to grow into something bigger with Rich Mix, what would be a satisfying outcome?
I want people to leave feeling satisfied, like when you’ve had an amazing meal at a restaurant. Music is a living thing. I would like our audiences to apply the messages to their lives, continue championing the artists who moved them and spread the word about what we’ve created together. Our fourth anniversary is approaching and we’re excited to bring the tribe together for a very special show in November.

Looking ahead, where do you see SUPERORGANIC evolving next more live experiences, international collaborations, films, retreats, or something completely unexpected?
I have a restless mind when it comes to creativity. We’re going to continue to do all of those things. More live experiences in London and definitely beyond. We’ve already begun conversations with different regions about how we can collaborate. The retreat was a huge success, and we definitely will be going away to create more music for future projects. Film number two is already in production, it’s a great way to document the journey and reach even more people with our story.
We recently did a show in collaboration with the Royal College of Art and opened up a whole new world of live visuals inspired by everything from Indian hip hop to Chinese wave music. We’re SUPERORGANIC we always say, “anything can happen and usually does.” So, watch this space.

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

If not this, then what? I’d be a journalist telling stories of the artists that inspired me.

What’s made you sad, mad, & glad this week? Sad – too much, to be honest. Mad – getting attitude from a random woman trying to get me to switch electricity suppliers on road. Glad – receiving an unexpected voicenote from a friend reminding me that even on the toughest days, somebody’s got your back.


What are you watching? My back.


What are you reading? Rapthology: Lessons in Life and Lyrics by Wretch 32.

The last film you watched? Michael.

The last play you saw? The Effect, created by Lucy Prebble, starring Paapa Essiedu and Taylor Russell.

The last live music event? Redman.

What’s currently on your playlist? I Am Not A Lyricist Baby Keem, Nasa Case Killah Priest, Analog Man Marlon Craft, I Love You, But Maya Delilah, Queen Tobe Nwigwe, Bully YE, Juls ROOTS, Under Attack Mom Tudie & Tia Gordon, Beautiful Day Keyon Harrold & PJ Morton, Symptoms Tha God Fahim & Nicolas Craven, Broken Blokes Jah Digga & Jackson Walker, Nights Like This Donae’o, Omar & Lemar, House Gospel Choir.

Which podcast are you listening to? Kwick Brain from Jim Kwick for brain hacks. Bite-sized bits of Drink Champs and One Song hosted by Diallo Riddle and Blake “LUXXURY” Robin as they appear on my timeline. Desert Island Discs when an intriguing guest washes up on the beach.

What’s on your bucket list? A seafront view.

Where’s your happy place? My mind.

Celebrate someone else … SUPERORGANIC’s band MD Rory Scott. That’s my brother. He leads with his heart and approaches every endeavour with complete commitment to the moment and its meaning. We connected when we started jamming in that Hoxton basement in those early days and have never looked back. Proud of how he’s brought his beautiful musicianship to the mix, championed and enriched the SUPERORGANIC family and recently stepped into fatherhood all while being a great friend. That’s rare.

Celebrate yourself … I’m proud of creating music that has stood the test of time, honing my craft as a storyteller who can communicate and connect with company directors and primary school kids alike, and curating events that have stayed in the memories of the people who were there. The deeper I get into this journey, the more I realise the impact of the work, and that’s truly rewarding. I’m grateful for everything and continue to create with the belief that the best is yet to come.

Where can we find you?
@wearesuperorganic for the movement
@fusionhosts for me and my many missions

Where can we watch you at work?
SUPERORGANIC presents Tale of the Tape the story behind a new wave of high vibration music find out more here
Next documentary loading…