In Conversation with Tony Supreme

What does it mean to create spaces where people feel seen, heard and able to connect?

For Tony Supreme, the answer exists somewhere between music, movement, wellness and community. A DJ, presenter, yoga practitioner, facilitator and community builder, Tony’s work is rooted in a belief that these practices are not separate. They are different ways of creating connection to ourselves and to the things or people that help us feel more present.

As the founder of Soul Surge and Soul Surge Wellness CIC, and through his work with Jazz re:freshed, Tony has created spaces where music and wellbeing can meet. His practice is also deeply personal. From growing up surrounded by his father’s vinyl collection, to therapy, fatherhood and his experiences in prison, the different parts of his journey have shaped how he understands care, healing and the importance of creating the spaces he once needed himself.

We spoke to Tony about the relationship between his creative and wellness practices, the role music plays in our wellbeing, what it means to hold space for others, and how he is thinking about the future of Soul Surge and the communities around it. Read on to hear his full perspective.

Tony’s multidisciplinary practice did not emerge as one clearly defined path. Instead, different experiences and practices found him at different points in his life; eventually converging around a shared purpose: connection.

Your work sits at the intersection of community, wellness, music and creativity. What first brought these different parts of your practice together, and when did you realise they were connected?

These parts of my practice came to me at different points in my life, whether it be growing up in a household where my dad always played his vinyls, my time in therapy, working in the charity sector and the need to create space for my own healing. Soul Surge was born out of a desire for a space that represented who I was as a fan of Soul music, knowing that I'd be able to find my tribe.

You move between being a DJ, presenter, yoga practitioner, facilitator and community builder. How do these different practices inform one another?

These practices are all about supporting connection and getting to the core, beyond the masks and the layers. I believe in the power of connection and these practices allow us to feel connected to each other but also to self, the medium is simply a conduit for this connection. My early days of writing poetry and understanding the flow of words transitioned into my way of presenting radio, DJ'ing and facilitating spaces.

For Tony, community isn't simply about bringing people into a room. It is about understanding who is in that room, why they have come, and what they might need from the experience. His approach to care is informed by his own experiences of feeling overlooked and unheard, making intentionality and reflection an important part of how he builds spaces for others.

A lot of your work seems to centre creating spaces where people can feel connected, present and looked after. What does meaningful care look like to you in practice?

I value seeing people for who they are and understanding what connects them to the work I do, the need I am fulfilling, and how I'm supporting them allows me to be more intentional with how I create these spaces. I've experienced being overlooked and unheard within the spaces I occupy, so I always want others to feel seen, heard and included. Part of this includes evaluation and reflection from the community to see how I can improve and continue showing up.

What is something people might not immediately see about the work that goes into creating spaces where others can feel safe, welcome and able to be themselves?

Part of the work involves identifying what's missing and filling those gaps for myself and others like me, while intentionally studying the space I'm in and the community I'm serving. I think there's also an honesty in recognising that we often create spaces as a direct response to our own needs; however, the deep inner work is essential and informs the direction of these spaces. For example, Soul Surge came from listening to an album that healed a part of me from the inside out while I was in prison, upon release, I immersed myself in Soul music. Creating and sharing any platform I create has always been secondary to my personal connection to the experience. Sharing it with others feels like a duty because the experience is so deeply profound. 

Music sits at the heart of Tony’s practice. But for him, its value extends far beyond entertainment. It can offer an escape, a place to imagine, a way to articulate feelings and, sometimes, simply somewhere to rest.

Music is such a significant part of your work. What do you think music can offer us beyond entertainment, particularly when it comes to wellbeing, connection and community?

Music offers a space for escapism, imagination, creativity and at times, a safe space to rest. In my experience, words, melodies and instruments articulate and express my thoughts and feelings in ways I might struggle to otherwise. Music has been a significant force in my wellbeing journey as I can feel the connection and shift in my energy depending on what I choose to listen to, there is a physiological experience that affects the nervous system and has the ability to support our healing and connection to self.

You’re also a father, and you've written about choosing “presence over perfection”. Has becoming a parent changed how you think about presence, care or the way you show up for others?

Becoming a father has been an interesting journey; no matter how prepared I thought I'd be, there are always new learnings and opportunities for self-reflection. I think about how I'm communicating with my son, what it means to be fully present with him and also what it looks like to cater to his needs. There are parallels between fatherhood and my creative practice; often, I'm thinking about what my community needs and how I can respond to that through my work, while also knowing what I can offer that would be beneficial.

The ability to care for others also requires space to receive care ourselves. Tony’s understanding of community has been shaped by unexpected places and people, from his experiences with peers in prison to the influence of his parents, wife and therapist.

Who or what has poured into you and shaped the way you understand community, wellness and your own practice?

Reflecting on my experiences in prison, I can see how much community and care existed in that space, even though that image isn't what people typically see. Sharing, checking on each other, talking and supporting, are all things I experienced growing up with my parents, but experiencing that from my peers adds another perspective. In regards to my wellness and personal practice, my wife and my therapist were instrumental in encouraging me to actually look inward and start to take care of my own wellbeing, while accepting external support. 

Your work asks you to hold space for other people. What helps you sustain yourself while continuing to give so much to your communities?

My personal practices such as yoga, breathwork, meditation and going to the gym are tools in my wellbeing toolbox that I can tap into to decompress, process and have moments for myself. I enjoy spending time in the sauna and cold plunges as a way of truly experiencing some down time where I'm not with my phone or laptop and I can just sit with my thoughts. 

Looking ahead, Tony’s ambitions for Soul Surge extend beyond individual events. He wants to contribute to the infrastructure and economic sustainability of the Black British Soul music industry, while creating tangible pathways for emerging artists to develop, connect and access paid opportunities.

If you could dream big about the future of the communities you’re building through Soul Surge and your wider work, what would you love to see grow or become possible over the next five years?

With Soul Surge, I would love to be an integral part of building infrastructure and economic sustainability within the Black British Soul music industry, with the ability to create tangible pathways within and beyond the UK for emerging artists. I would love to build recognisable and accessible Soul Surge communities around the world where artists can access artist development opportunities, support and paid opportunities.

What are you currently working on or looking forward to that you'd love our community to know about?

Currently, Soul Surge is developing it's first Artist Development Programme for emerging Black British Soul artists who need support taking their career to the next level with access to vocal coaching, performance coaching and songwriting support as well as masterclasses and studio access. I'm also continuing to develop my wellbeing practice and offering classes for people who want to participate in yoga, breathwork and meditation to support their own wellness.

Across Tony’s work, there is a recurring invitation: to slow down enough to notice what we need, to connect with others, and to find the practices that help us return to ourselves.

Whether through a song, a yoga practice, a conversation or a shared space, his work reminds us that connection can be a form of care, and care can be something we actively create for one another.

Written by: Gloria Tergat