Alain “Fusion” Clapham Interview | Respect the Dreamer
Fusion is the creative visionary behind SUPERORGANIC – a producer, strategist, and Transformative Storyteller with over two decades building creative enterprises. As an award-winning presenter and journalist, he has interviewed the likes of Beyonce, Nas, and Stan Lee, delivered a TEDx talk on “Creativity as Currency,” and produced music for Estelle, Durtty Goodz, and Dawn Penn, as well as remixing songs for The Streets and Ty. Through SUPERORGANIC, Fusion champions “high vibration music,” curating conscious hip hop, jazz, and spoken word as tools for community building and creative empowerment.
What inspired you to pursue your dream, and how did it all begin?
As long as I can remember, I've always trusted my imagination and enjoyed creativity. I was doing oil paintings of landscapes I’d never seen at age seven! I can honestly say my decision to pursue music really came out of a friendship at school with a boy who came from Trinidad. He took the time to introduce me to the power of hip hop. Listening to Public Enemy, Big Daddy Kane, and NWA blew my mind, so when my friends started their own hip hop group, I didn't hesitate to try my hand as their DJ.
Can you share a defining moment in your journey that shaped your perspective and fueled your passion?
One defining moment was going to see Gangstarr at Kentish Town Forum. Prior to that, hip hop was something I listened to amongst friends or at home, and all of a sudden I was at this concert with a sea of people moving as one and loving the same sounds that were moving me. It made me feel part of something much bigger. The way Guru (Rest In Power) and DJ Premier rocked the place set the bar.
How do you handle setbacks and keep pushing forward in the pursuit of your dreams?
Setbacks are really just setups for success. I always visualize big changes and transformations, then imagine who I have to become to make them a reality. It often requires great sacrifice and deep empathy, especially when you need to bring people along on the journey. Nothing ever goes according to plan — sometimes it’s better than you imagine, sometimes you face unexpected obstacles. There’s a lesson in all of it that makes the journey memorable. When you recover, you apply the lessons and do it all again!
Are there specific individuals who have inspired you along the journey?
During my time as a music journalist and presenter, I was truly blessed to spend time with some of the most creative minds. Whether it was sitting down with Eminem to talk about storytelling, listening to Nas unpack the experience of sharing his rhymes live on stage, or learning from Kool Herc about the block parties that birthed the culture — all those conversations deepened my love of hip hop and taught me about my role within it.
Beyond hip hop, mentors such as reggae musician and dub pioneer Spider J have helped shape my sound and mindset, while cultural innovators such as Dean Ricketts from The Watch-Men Agency have taught me how to navigate the creative industry with integrity, confidence, and purpose.
How do you maintain a balance between pursuing your dreams and handling everyday responsibilities?
Building a good team and maintaining a healthy mindset are integral to this journey. You have to lose yourself in the creative process to discover something that inspires you and others. Once you have that insight, the real work begins — aligning opportunities and resources to manifest those ideas in their truest form. Your intuition is your compass. You’ll know when you’re short of the mark or when you hit that sweet spot.
How do you overcome self-doubt and stay confident in your abilities?
That’s a big question. I believe it’s a daily practice. Without self-examination, you can’t make the necessary adjustments to achieve anything great; however, you need to be discerning enough to share what you know with conviction. I’m a firm believer in sharing your art, speaking your truth with care and compassion, and allowing the experience to shape you.
Also, always update your practice and stay open to learning. Feed your curiosity and it will reward you.
Can you share a memorable success story or achievement that resulted from your determination?
When I was working on my first solo project, I had a vision of bringing hip hop together with multiple genres. One artist I really admired at the time was the legendary Drum & Bass MC Skibadee (Rest In Power). I produced a song for him called “The Greatest Show,” and so began our creative process. When it came time to release the track, I pitched the idea of a remix and put together an all-star lineup including MC D AKA Silent Eclipse, Skeme, MC Det, and Shabba D.
With no major label backing, we produced a groundbreaking video that went to No. 1 on Channel U — as voted for by the people — and won an award. This was at a time when grime and US hip hop dominated, so seeing us on top ahead of Akon, Ja Rule, and grime’s elite was a revelation.
In what ways do you stay motivated during challenging times?
I see the best in people and strive to share the best of myself. In challenging times, it’s easy to give in, but that’s when you need to double down. How can you inspire others if you’re not prepared to dig deep and share what you discover?
Art plays a crucial role in helping us remember our humanity and process emotions. When artists inspire us to confront our fears or wrestle with life’s complexities, we should receive their work with gratitude. I make art for people who can’t, and it’s my hope that they see the service and see themselves in our work. Through that recognition comes real transformation.
What dream are you living right now?
SUPERORGANIC is the dream I’m living right now. I’m immensely grateful for the musicians, DJs, poets, lyricists, vocalists, visual artists, and the wider community that have come together under its name. Over the last three years, we’ve created a unique space for high-vibration music, cultural storytelling, and performances that connect with audiences and leave them better than when they came.
For me, the dream is a return to one of my first loves — hip hop and its rich culture. Being able to shine a light on pioneers and elevate emerging talent while celebrating the transformative power of music among friends is a real blessing. I’m enjoying the journey.
What advice would you give to someone with a dream?
SUPERORGANIC is the dream I’m living right now. I’m grateful for the musicians, DJs, poets, lyricists, vocalists, visual artists, and the wider community that have come together under its name. Over the last three years, we’ve created a unique space for high-vibration music, cultural storytelling, and performances that truly connect with people.
For me, it’s a return to hip hop and its culture — being able to shine a light on pioneers and uplift emerging talent while celebrating music’s transformative power. Enjoy the journey and trust your creative process.
Photography Credit
Portrait photo credit – Poet Curious
SUPERORGANIC – Tim Bull
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wearesuperorganic.com
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