"I had a group of people actually instigate a panic attack behind the decks... and I still had to finish the set. That was the closest I came to quitting."
Where are all the Black women composers? It's a simple question but one that reveals just how invisible some of the most important creative work in film, television and audio storytelling still is.
In this special feedwarmer episode of Rigour & Flow, Aiwan sits down with award-winning turntablist, composer and sound designer NikNak for a conversation about creativity, resilience and the hidden power of sound.
Drawing on their collaboration on Audible's Hidden Histories, they explore what it means to build sonic worlds that audiences feel but rarely notice, why sound is one of the most overlooked elements of storytelling, and how Black women continue to navigate industries that struggle to imagine them beyond familiar creative roles.
NikNak reflects on surviving racism in the music industry - including the moment she experienced a panic attack behind the decks - and why staying true to her artistic voice became an act of resistance rather than compromise.
🎙️In this episode:
- Sound is 50% of Your Film: Why audio is often a filmmaker's biggest afterthought - and why great storytelling depends on getting it right
- Where Are All the Black Women Composers? Why so few Black women are recognised behind the mixing desk and why representation matters just as much behind the scenes as it does on screen
- Panic at the Decks: NikNak's powerful story of facing racism in the club scene, surviving a panic attack mid-set and choosing not to let the experience end her career
- The Politics of Sound: From Hidden Histories to sampling Palestinian graduation speeches, how sound becomes a way of preserving memory, resisting erasure and telling stories differently
- Industry Gatekeeping: Why some of the creative industry's most celebrated institutions and awards still struggle to recognise experimental Black artists and what that says about who gets to define excellence
Whether you're a filmmaker, musician, podcaster, creative practitioner or simply curious about the invisible craft behind the stories we love, this conversation offers a rare glimpse into the people shaping what we hear - and why that matters.
About NikNak:
Award-winning turntablist, DJ, music artist/producer, composer and an afrofuturistic, sonic storyteller. A pioneering figure in the UK turntablism scene, NikNak became the first Black turntablist to win the Oram Award in 2020, and the Pop‑Experimental Award at the ZKM Gigahertz Festival in 2025. Her work pushes the boundaries of what turntables can do, merging live improvisation with immersive electronic production.
🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts
🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/YK1nwrMjSX4
📸 Photo credit for artwork for this Feedwarmer: Sophie Jouvenaar
🔁 Share with someone who'll never hear films, music or podcasts in quite the same way again
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