24 influential Bristolians under 24

Rife magazine have gathered together 24 influential people in Bristol under the age of 24.

The list covers music, film, technology, online, green issues, social issues, politics and art.

It includes well-known names such as musician George Ezra and gymnast Claudia Fragapane, alongside FGM campaigner and Bristol24/7 magazine cover star Fahma Mohamed and YouTube dancing sensation Levanna McLean, whose video (below) of her dancing along Broad Street in Staple Hill has now been seen by more than 1.3 million people.

The youngest name on the list is 13-year-old birdwatcher Mya-Rose Craig, whose blog birdgirl ranks in the top 50 worldwide.

The Rife team said: “We want to celebrate everything they’ve done for Bristol and for youth culture in the city. This isn’t the be all and end all of lists – no, its a conversation-starter. It’s a list designed to get you thinking.”

Number 24 is still open for inclusion with Rife asking for nominations on Twitter using the hashtag #24under24.

Visit www.rifemagazine.co.uk/2014/12/24-influential-people-bristol-24/

Here is the list in full, and a justification of each choice:

1) George Ezra (music)
“An undeniable champion of Bristol’s music scene. You’re probably humming that ‘da-deedee-dum’ song as we speak.”

2) ThisisDA (music)
“ThisisDA has never compromised his sound and the fact that his star is in ascendance  shows that artistic integrity pays.”

3) Abi Ward (music)
“She knows her stuff. She’s a tastemaker in the Bristol music scene. If you see her at a gig, you know it’s a good one.”

4) Teez (music)
“In a city teeming with young MCs, this one has a record deal and collaborations spilling out of his ears.”

5) Mya Rose-Craig (green)
“She’s only just a teenager and already she has one of the world’s most looked-at bird blogs.”

6) Down and Out With Plastic in Bristol (Terri and Anna-May) (green)
“As we head to European Green Capital next year, these young people really care, and are doing a lot to make us care too.”

7) Rondene Vassell and James Gibson (politics)
“Both our youth mayors show that having your say in the way your city is run can change things.”

8) Just Scribble (art)
“Impressing impressive people is a hard thing to do. Just Scribble has. And continues to.”

9) Camille Rearden (art)
“Their commitment to using art to talk openly, frankly and authentically about social issues is an inspiration.”

10) SimzCityTV (digital)
“Simeon has created one of the most popular YouTube channels showcasing local talent and is tireless in uncovering Bristol’s next-to-blows.”

11) Naz Ahmed (digital)
“Jack of all trades and is continuously developing her own talents on the side of film, photography and fashion. A huge inspiration to her followers and peers and is always aiming high and excellent quality in her own work.”

12) Levanna McLean (digital)
“Showing that online there’s no such thing as niche, Levanna has injected personality and energy into cultivating a YouTube following.”

13) Silas Adekunle (technology)
“Robots! Fun! Robots! Gaming! Robots!”

14) Chloe Meineck (technology)
“Chloe’s Music Memory Box project is a wonderful concept that will bring families together digitally when we’re constantly told online lives are driving a wedge between them.”

15) Vanessa Kisuule (poetry)
“Bristol’s poetry scene is filled with exciting talent – so when someone like Vanessa crosses over nationally, and gets her first collection published before she’s 25? Well, she’s one of the best.”

16) Kristian Baxter (social issues)
“Campaigning for something important to your local community is as important as fighting for a big issue and Kristian has shown that you can affect change through tirelessness and passion.”

17) Chlo Winfield (social issues)
“Chlo has created this campaign entirely of her own volition and has ensured that such an issue receives the noise and attention it deserves.”

18) Fahma Mohamed (social issues)
“Fahma continues to campaign for real change around gender inequality and gender-based violence. She’s won awards, spoken at an international level and has created a movement, with Integrate Bristol’s help, that has captured the attention of those at the top.”

19) Ryan Edmundson (sport)
“Ryan has turned an award-winning, world-beating kickboxing record into a mini-empire by using it to help him set up his own martial arts centre.”

20) Claudia Fragapane (sport)
“She’s one of the most successful gymnasts in the country, this year and of all-time.”

21) Jordan Wynter (sport)
“He is single-handedly helping to return Bristol City to glory.”

22) Rhys Buchanan (media)
“Rhys knows his stuff, and that’s why he’s considered a taste-maker for so many music establishments.”

23) Maisie Williams (film)
“She’s on Game of Thrones! What more information do you need? It’s GAME OF THRONES.”