About Me

Hi, I’m Tom. I’m a record collector, radio show host and the founder of Mother of Mankind.  My love for African music started when I was a child, with my papa playing me records from Fela Kuti, King Sunny Ade, The Bhundu Boys, Lijadu Sisters and many more.  Much of my dad’s African record collection now resides with me in my own collection at home in Frome, Somerset. 

With twenty years of experience running parties and club nights, I launched 'Mother of Mankind in the Secret Basement' in Frome, as well as DJing at We Out Here, Secret Garden Party, ION in Albania plus Frome Festival a bit closer to home.

The Mother of Mankind radio show started during lockdown and explores the music of Africa, one country at a time.  The journey around Africa has now covered more than twenty countries, and has featured interviews with a number of artists, including Chief Boima of the Kondi Band, Kora player Seckou Keita, Cuban Pianist Omar Sosa, Simo Lagnawi of Gnawa London and Electric Jalaba, Nomagik, Sudanese producer SUFYVN, and author of A Quick Ting on Afrobeats Christian Adofo.

As a DJ I draw upon a broad spectrum of music from across the continent of Africa and beyond.  From Soukous to Afrobeat, Township to Tsapiky, Desert Blues to Makossa, Chimurenga to Benga, I try to bring new music and positive vibes whether on the radio or in the DJ booth. Outside of my focus on African music, I have also been known to play disco, soul, funk, hip-hop and house, and even some drum and bass back in the day!

In 2020 I teamed up with a speaker design specialist to build a bespoke, striking and compact audiophile soundsystem.  The system was designed to elevate the sounds of African voices and instruments and to create an intimate and energising atmosphere.

So why the love for music from Africa? First of all, because my dad played me a wide range of African music when I was a kid, much of it has a comforting familiarity.

I love how it can bring people together - because the rhythms feel so instinctive to dance to, it crosses boundaries of age and backgrounds and connects people in a unique way.

I studied Ethnomusicology at University so have a curiosity about the culture, people and instruments that converge to create the music. Apart from anything else, I have a strong African connection in my family with my great grandfather having been born and brought up in South Africa.

NOTE - For a long time my DJ name was DJ Trickey, but in the spring of 2023 someone stopped me in Frome and asked me “Are you Mr Mankind?”. The name kind of stuck from there so DJ Trickey was no longer!

I’m open to discuss new opportunities either as a DJ or with the addition of the soundsystem. Get in touch below if you want to chat!