Crafting Community: A South London Renaissance with the Owner of The Prince of Peckham and The Queen of The South
Bawo, Courtesy of Ben Gibson
16th April 2024
By Esi Mongo
Clement Ogobonnaya stands, unyielding against the ongoing battle that is gentrification. Reclaiming pivotal spaces that serve as havens of Black British culture, his unstoppable spirit has left a lasting mark on the fabric of South London, one postcode at a time. Now, against the backdrop of a rapidly changing landscape, emerges The Queen of the South in Tulse Hill, following the rich legacy that is The Prince of Peckham.
A space engrossed with colour, The Queen of the South, houses many walks of life who connect through rhythm, flavours of our mother’s kitchen and murals that frame her face. It’s a Friday night, the opening night of the 2nd South London Renaissance, and the bar pulses with infectious energy from a buzzing, diverse crowd. Bartenders expertly craft tasty cocktails to quench guests' thirst, with the bold sponsorship of Hennessy.
A conversation with the owner reflected the ambience of the night. Mr. Ogbonnaya’s charismatic nature revealed a man on a mission, showing no signs of stopping anytime soon. Reflecting on the beginning of his hospitality career, Clement revealed his journey began hosting family friends within his Nigerian Peckham home during his formative years.
“You know, when your uncles and aunties come around, your mum will say ‘give uncle/aunty a drink’. What she means is don't come out with just a glass, bring the bottle,” he reminisced.
"I wanted to create a space for someone that can experience that all the time.”
With many journeys of success, come obstacles. Yet, driven by a sense of obligation and an unwavering belief in his vision, Clement remained resolute in his pursuit. Recalling a significant conversation with his late cousin, he felt compelled to push forward despite the challenges."I remember telling myself [what I wanted, out loud] … because I was speaking it into existence," he stated.
Clement Ogobonnaya, courtesy of Khushi Vora
“I was in a space where I knew I had to. There was more I needed to contribute. I decided I was no longer chasing the pound because that’s when you make short-term decisions. If you make magic, ultimately you make money.”
There, in February 2017, emerged The Prince of Peckham, leaving the saga to continue. The South London pub hosts various gatherings, perfect for parties and weekend catch-ups with friends. Through the location’s growth, came partnerships, such as the one with Hennessy. As the world was forced to shut its doors to the outside in 2020, Hennessy continued to show their support towards Clement's endeavours.
Reflecting on how their 2024 collaboration finally became a reality, he recounts, “The Renaissance was something I wanted to do years ago; I just needed someone to power it. I first approached Hennessy pre-lockdown. They provided us with some funding, and we were finally going to make it happen.”
“They let me keep the money. They bought vouchers to give to their team and staff. They supported us through lockdown,” he expressed with great gratitude. With the business's survival, The Prince of Peckham finally witnessed the first Renaissance. Envisioning it as an opportunity to provide a platform for young creatives and musicians in the community, inspiring them to pursue their passions. “When I think of the Renaissance, I think of old school, Black musicians being given a platform to perform music of the ages,” he shared.
Courtesy of Khushi Vora
“There aren’t many live music spaces in South London, or even London, that actively support their community. The South London Renaissance was born to allow young people, musicians, and creatives to reach stardom right in their own neighbourhood.”
“I don’t see why it can’t become a festival. I believe with Hennessy, and Cloud X, there’s a formula. Through these micro-situations, we can truly build demand. We want the Renaissance to outlive our careers.”
A formula Clement has mastered is hosting environments with diversity and inclusivity front and centre. Conceiving it as an opportunity to provide a platform for young creatives and musicians in the community, to inspire them to pursue their passions.
"I foster this by being open to challenges, and open-minded in my desire to learn. That's evident in the events we organise, the activations, and the collaborations. There's a night we used to do called 'Let's Have a Keke.' I didn't know what 'house' was, but I knew voguing from Madonna. I didn't know there was a whole culture, a whole scene. The energy, the vibes! You have this whole LGBTQ+ community in MY space! The pride?! The real joy I felt."
In reflecting on his entrepreneurial journey, Clement emphasises the fundamental role of passion and consistency in business endeavours, stating, "Commitment gets you started, consistency gets you finished." Despite facing challenges and moments of doubt, Clement underscores the importance of finding a passion that propels you forward through adversity.
“Find that passion that gets you out of bed. I’ve got staff that need to be paid. The light bill needs to be paid. The taxman needs to be paid. The mission doesn’t stop.”
Clement's journey is a testament to being authentic in your learning while creating spaces for those who may not always see themselves. “When I created the business plan for the Prince of Peckham, the ethos, the values never changed. Inclusivity? That was happening from the start!”
Through enthusiasm and resilience in achieving entrepreneurial success, Clement Ogobonnaya’s story proves to future business owners and creatives that their dreams, determination, and dedication are more than enough.
Courtesy of Ben Gibson
WHAT: A SERIES OF GIGS AT THE QUEEN OF THE SOUTH CURATED BY CLOUD X AND POWERED BY HENNESSY CELEBRATING SOUTH LONDON AND ITS CULTURE
WHEN/LINE UP:
April 19th ETTA BOND / TARA LILLY
April 26th - FINN FOXELL / SANTIANO LE SAINT
TIME: 9PM - 2AM
DRINKS: Henny and Apple // The Hennessy Bramble // The Duke
ADDRESS: 367 Norwood Rd, Norwood, London SE27 9BQ
Insta:
Hennessy // Cloud X // Queen Of The South
Website - https://queenofthesouthpub.co.uk/