YolanDa Brown breaks a Guinness World Records title for grassroots venue.

Sunday, March 24, 2024

Saxophonist YolanDa Brown has raised a record-breaking £248,148 for her music venue and restaurant ‘Soul Mama’ which is the largest amount raised by a restaurant on Kickstarter globally.

We have received the following press release;

YOLANDA BROWN BREAKS A GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS TITLE

THE MOST MONEY RAISED BY A RESTAURANT ON KICKSTARTER WORLDWIDE

YOLANDA BROWN OBE DL PUSHES BOUNDARIES AND RAISES QUARTER OF A MILLION POUNDS FOR MUSIC VENUE AND RESTAURANT ‘SOUL MAMA’

YOLANDA BROWN - CHANGING THE FACE OF VENUE OWNERSHIP

Today, musician, broadcaster, composer and philanthropist, YolanDa Brown OBE DL, alongside music manager, creative entrepreneur Adetokunbo “T” Oyelola have been honored with a Guinness World Records title for the most money pledged worldwide for a Kickstarter restaurant project. YolanDa raised a record-breaking £248,148 for her music venue and restaurant ‘Soul Mama’ which is the largest amount raised by a restaurant on Kickstarter globally.

In an annual report from Music Venue Trust, the charity found that 125 spaces permanently closed to live music in 2023. Aiming to bring new opportunities for independent artists whilst changing the narrative of venue ownership and creating more diversity in this underfunded space, YolanDa is breaking boundaries with a Guinness World Records title for the most successful restaurant Kickstarter ever.

Speaking about the Kickstarter and Soul Mama, YolanDa says:
“In setting a Guinness World Records title, Soul Mama didn’t just secure funds; we wove a tapestry of dreams shared by thousands. A testament to what we can achieve when we unite and believe. This record is not just a number—it’s a promise to fill every visit with laughter, comfort, and a sense of belonging. At Soul Mama, we’re more than a music venue and restaurant; we’re a home for dreamers and believers who see the world not just as it is, but as it could be, full of joy, connection, and shared moments that linger in the heart long after the night ends. A big thank you to everyone who supported us so far and the new people who will discover us along our journey and jump on the Soul Mama Train.”

Amy Lamé, Night Czar, said:
“We’re really excited to see Soul Mama open later this year, adding another fantastic music venue and restaurant to the streets of London. YolanDa’s work to source funding through Kickstarter is an amazing achievement and we look forward to further supporting her and the team as we build a better London for all.”

Craig Glenday, Editor in Chief of Guinness World Records said
“This is an astonishing achievement, and a testament to the passion, drive and determination it takes to make a game-changing project like Soul Mama come to fruition. And how exciting that this is just the start for this ambitious fusion of food, music and culture - I can’t wait to see what happens next!”

Kickstarter CEO, Everette Taylor says:
“What we’ve seen YolanDa Brown and T Oyelola achieve with their Kickstarter project is a perfect example of what we want for every creator that comes to our platform: to be brave enough to pursue a dream and in return, get the community, support and funds they need to bring that dream to life.
The Soul Mama project is now the highest funded restaurant project ever on Kickstarter, which is an incredible feat. We want to see more creators of colour thrive on the platform and I’m hoping the success of these two incredible entrepreneurs will inspire creators of colour and creators in the food/restaurant space to chase their dreams.”

Soul Mama, YolanDa’s brand-new London-based grassroots music venue and restaurant was listed in the “top restaurants to look forward to in 2024 list” by the Evening Standard. With an eclectic programming planned, Soul Mama will bring Jazz, Soul, Gospel, Reggae, Comedy, Fireside chats, concerts for children and family audiences, plus much more to London, alongside the most delicious cuisine fusing authentic tastes of Africa, the Caribbean and South America. With some of music’s most exciting names taking to the stage, Soul Mama is first and foremost grounded in community and will be providing a much-needed platform for underrepresented musicians and chefs from across the globe, filling a gap in the UK’s live music and restaurant space.

From a menu inspired by mamas from around the world to sourcing ingredients ethically, the venue will not only be a space for food and music lovers to enjoy, but it will also bring opportunities to undiscovered and emerging artists to touch our souls. Soul Mam is set to open this Spring, more information will be revealed soon.

ABOUT YOLANDA BROWN:
YolanDa is a double MOBO Award winning artist, her music is a delicious fusion of reggae, jazz and soul. She has toured with The Temptations, Jools Holland’s Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, Billy Ocean, Dave Stewart from Eurythmics, Kelly Jones from Stereophonics and Rick Astley.
The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, in January 2024 appointed YolanDa Brown as a Member of the Arts and Media Honours Committee and in 2022 was appointed Chair of BPI - the representative voice for record labels in the UK (organise The BRIT Awards and Mercury). YolanDa was awarded an OBE for services to music, music education and broadcasting in the 2023 New Year Honours List by his Majesty the King. She was Chair of Youth Music for six years, sits on the Arts Council National Council, is a trustee of the PRS Foundation, an ambassador for the Prince’s Trust and London Music Fund and on the advisory board of the London Philharmonic Orchestra.