Society Gists

Ayan De First-Mr Culture officially known as Ayanwole Ayantola, a multi-Awards winner is an African cultural Ambassador and the first premier talking drummer in Europe. He eats, breaths and promotes African culture to a wider audience.

He is the CEO of African Cultural Showcase which showcases African Cultural Gala Night and CEO Oduduwa Talking Drummers Limited and ADF School of Arts and Culture in UK.

Ayan De First a miracle child who could not start his primary education until 9 years old due to illness and passing out frequently was born to a family of drummers/performers. He started his career at the age of five performing with his dad and uncles. As his talent grew as a very young performing artist it became apparent that he was destined to become a musician which was a dilemma as a science student.
His ambition was to become a pharmacist or Medical Doctor. But through his father’s advice and passion for music he changed his career and went to study Contemporary Arts at Ori Olokun College of Arts and later studied drama art at African department Obafemi Awolowo University Ile Ife Osun State Nigeria.

In Britain he attended London College of Arts Camberwell, London school of Graphics Elephant & Castle. He recently obtained his secondary from Coventry University as the first Talking Drummer to graduate from British University
He was brought to Britain as a performing and visual artist and has since worked with over 500 private and community schools within UK organising educational workshops on arts of Africa.
He works hand in hand with different Boroughs, centres and libraries across the UK on different Africa art projects.

A pioneer in many ways and a versatile artist, he has broken boundaries when he became the first African Talking drummer to perform for Her late Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II of Britain and The Royal Family at Buckingham Palace during Golden Jubilee anniversary.
Followed by another performance for HRH Prince Charles now the King of Britain at St James’s Palace and in Croydon London respectively.
He performed for Sir Richard Bramson at London Heathrow Airport during inauguration of first virgin Atlantic first flight from London to Lagos.

He has appeared on all British Television channels TV severally and on CNN, and in all Nigerian and British national and local newspapers.

His name entered record books when he became the First African musician to have appeared and performed on British Channel 4 ‘s programme ‘’Come Dine With Me’’. He has been interviewed severally on BBC Radio and FM Radio channels in Britain

Mr Culture has performed for the likes of Prince Bola Ajibola, former Nigeria President Alhaji AbdulSalami AbuBakar and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, late Alaafin Of Oyo, late Ooni of Ife, Eleganza Chief Rasaq Okoya, Adetutu Kensington, Senator Bukola Saraki, Gov Dapo Abiodun, Erelu Fernandez, His Impreial Majesty Ooni Of Ife, Oba of Lagos, African Ambassadors, Lord Mayor of London, Madonna (hip hop artist) as well as Super Eagles -Nigeria National Football team during a match in London.

The first Talking Drummer to perform for the boxer during a bout has performed at British Labour political party campaigns many times for Harriet Hamman MP, former Transport Secretary Peter Lord Mandelson and former Labour Leader Jeremy Cobyn in London.
He recently performed for His Majesty King Charles III and He gave Him a rare recognition when He broke a protocol and walked straight to Mr Culture to exchange greetings.
He performed on London street while the road was closed in Central London at the New Year’s Day mayoral parade, and he became livery man of city of London (free man in city of London) when he was awarded an historical British medal.

He worked in conjunction with the ground force and BBC during the Africa 05 at the British museum London to celebrate 100 years of abolition of slavery.
He has a regular weekly drumming and singing physically and online tutorials with the youths to keep the culture alive. He broke a record when he organised the first cultural evening at Nigeria High Commission in 2019 which gave Nigerian British born citizens a great opportunity to showcase their skills and talents.

He performed at Benin Bronze restitution in Cambridge University which was aired on all television networks in Britain and Nigeria

He works within educational sector and has worked with over 500 community and private schools within the UK.
Also works hand in hand with different organisations like Sakoba, Dupe Ariyo OBE (Afruca), Peter Badejo OBE (Bami jo), Femi Elufowoju Ensemble, Utopia theatre, Joyful Noise, Pati Boulaye, Nigeria Community Woolwich, Active Horizons, BME United Doncaster, Culture discovery Liverpool, African Diaspora Festival Milton Keynes, Ede Mi (My language), Art in the Park -Milton Keynes promoting community cohesion and inclusion as well as keeping the youths busy to be well informed as better citizens.

He performs at different festivals across Europe and has performed at top venues such as Royal Albert Hall, Royal Festival Hall, Ronnie Scotts, Heathrow Airport, Somerset House, Apothecaries Hall, and many more highly recognised venue in Britain and in Europe.He has performed on few famous musical albums for example Ijo Ya by Weird Mc,Festival of love and others

Ayan De First has survived 6 major and 4 minor car accidents in his lifetime. He is also a stage actor and has been part of different stage plays.