Reclaiming the Narrative: Creative Engagement Services Launch the Waltham Forest Black Music Legacy Awards
Creative Engagement Services CIC (CES) truly reflects Waltham Forest’s vibrant mix of cultures. To launch our brand-new Masterclass Series. CES Founder and Leyton-born Wayne George (DJ Dlux) recently hosted a dynamic, hands on masterclass at Big Penny Social in Walthamstow, breaking down the true essence of DIY Culture, Local Talent, and Heritage.
Speaking to a room of the next generation of young creatives, Wayne delivered a powerful session on the reality of how the foundations were built. He took the group back to the roots—explaining exactly how music was made, distributed, and driven forward in the era before social media, where raw talent, physical community, and sheer determination were the only algorithms that mattered.
Central to this masterclass was the legacy of Leyton’s own music pioneer, Lennie De Ice. Credit with pioneering the worldwide phenomenon of Jungle music with his seminal 1991 track “We Are I.E.”, Lennie sadly passed away in December 2024. Wayne shared personal reflections on the invaluable support he received from his friend Lennie in the early 90s, using that history to inspire the young producers in the room to understand the shoulders they stand on.
Partnering with Rendezvous Projects CIC, this initiative is designed to do more than just look back—it’s about fueling the future. By celebrating our diverse community and honoring Lennie’s monumental blueprint, the Black Music Legacy Awards will actively support and elevate emerging Black electronic music producers and creatives right here in Waltham Forest.
The frequency has been set, the history is being preserved, and the next generation is ready to create.
Creative Engagement Services CIC is also one of the boroughs Space4All Youth Hub Providers, operating several free weekly activity sessions aimed at 11 – 25’s including mentoring, multisports, podcast-making, crafts, cooking, gaming, and music and video production.