Ty Memorial Celebration - 5th Anniversary (17.08.25)
London, UK – Prompt Response, a groundbreaking creative company specialising in transformational storytelling, officially launches with a powerful tribute to the late UK rap pioneer Ty (Benedict Chijioke). To mark the fifth anniversary of Ty’s passing, Prompt Response presents five short films, each reimagining a seminal album cover from Ty’s distinguished career as a lyricist, performer and cultural innovator.
Each film corresponds to one of Ty’s five studio albums, presented in chronological order:
Awkward (2001, Big Dada Records)
Upwards (2003, Big Dada Records)
Closer (2006, Big Dada Records)
Special Kind of Fool (2010, Barely Breaking Even)
A Work of Heart (2018, Jazz re:freshed)
Directed by Fusion and produced in partnership with George Malsbury Films, the cinematic series will premiere during a special memorial event on Sunday 17th August, 7–10pm at Brixton Blues Kitchen. The evening will feature performances from key figures in Ty’s musical circle, including Skeme, Truemendous, Archa, Watusi87 and Karl Hinds. Proceeds will benefit Brixton Soup Kitchen, a community initiative Ty supported during his lifetime.
Pass The Torch was founded by UK Hip Hop legend Ty in 2019 to showcase new and established UK artists, with its debut at The Jazz Cafe selling out. After Ty’s passing in 2020, SKANDOUZ (Chas WISDM) revived the event as a birthday tribute in 2021, bringing together Ty’s original band with Phillip Harper and DJ Psykhomantus. What began as a one-off became an annual celebration of Ty’s life and legacy, raising over £4,000 for Brixton Soup Kitchen and staying true to his vision. Now based across Brixton venues, where Ty’s memory is honored with murals, Pass The Torch marks its 5th anniversary in 2025 at Brixton Blues Kitchen with SKANDOUZ, Fusion, and BMT, featuring a stellar lineup and short films reimagining Ty’s album artwork.
Prompt Response describes itself as “storytellers for a new age,” blending forgotten histories, rich archives and contemporary culture into immersive experiences. The company merges analogue textures with digital innovation, redefining how stories can be told and felt.
Director Fusion states, “When we honour those no longer with us, we have to channel their energy and create something they’d be proud of, Ty was an innovator, a maverick. He challenged convention, embraced his awkwardness and made music that mattered. We’ve tried to match that spirit with this tribute.”
The tribute exemplifies Prompt Response’s dynamic approach to storytelling. Through connecting media and music communities to engage with the project, the films aim to inspire reflection, interaction and legacy-building.
Through their SUPERORGANIC creative partnership, Fusion and DJ Porge (George Malsbury) have shaped a visual and sonic experience that honours the legacy of hip-hop artistry while breaking new ground.
“These short vignettes celebrate the visual brilliance that accompanied Ty’s sound,” says Fusion. “Artists like Benji Reid and Benjamin Wachenje brought his work to life visually. Now we’re doing the same with moving image. We’re passing the torch while keeping it lit for the man who carried it so powerfully.”
For Fusion, the project is deeply personal as well as professional: “Ty wasn’t just a cultural icon. He was my friend. We grew together in the UK hip-hop scene, laying foundations as artists, journalists and producers. I even wrote the sleeve notes for Awkward. To now honour his legacy through a new medium feels like a full-circle moment.”
The films will premiere at the memorial, followed by a series of digital releases. Prompt Response invites the public to join in honouring Ty’s life and cultural contribution.
Event Details
Ty Memorial Celebration
Date: Sunday 17 August 2025
Time: 7:00–10:00pm
Venue: Brixton Blues Kitchen (350-capacity club room)
Host: Fusion
Organised by: Skandouz in partnership with BMT Culture Hub
Confirmed Lineup:Skeme, Truemendous, Archa, Watusi87, Apex Zero and Karl Hinds
Cop Tickets Here.
Afterparty Venue: The Chip Shop, Brixton
An intimate continuation of the celebration at a space close to Ty’s heart, featuring a mural and dishes in his honour.