Meet the Team
We are a team of volunteers, artists, dancers, lyricists and musicians.
Co-founder/ Director / Chair
Paul Ashford
Paul is a designer and member of Northern Soles Crew. He sits as the Chair for the charity. Besides the administrative work involved in running 5th Element, Paul develops and maintains the charity's brand identity, organises grassroots events, and regularly teaches breakin' workshops.
After 20 years of Breakin' and running high caliber events, Paul's new passion is giving back and guiding anyone interested in HipHop culture, while volunteering his time to help develop 5th Element NI.
Director / Head of Programming / Secretary
Darryl Forsythe
Darryl, aka Daz, owns and operates SkankFM, one of Belfast's longest running online radio station. When he's not recording and producing dozens of artists, and organising music events, Daz also heads up programming at 5th Element, delivering incredible workshops across NI, as well as helping to develop and build the future for the charity.
His influence and support for local up-and-coming musicians is undeniable, mentoring many on their journey to becoming recording artists
Co-founder / Trustee
Terry Conlon
The man, the myth... Terry Conlon is a co-founder of 5th Element NI. With over 20 years working in the charity sector, both overseas and nationally, Terry's passion and desire to help others is unmatched. Terry works with many youth organisations supporting disenfranchised kids, refugees, and minorities. He is active in the breaking scene in Belfast, often found teaching and inspiring the next generation that come through. Terry has the special ability of connecting people, encouraging everyone to pursue their passion.
many hands make light work
GAFF Shields
Volunteer / Breakin' Facilitator
Gareth, AKA Gaff is a former member of BCB and current member of Northern Soles Crew. Involved with HipHop for over 25 years, Gaff now supports 5th through facilitating workshops, while helping to manage and maintain the 5th Element hub.
SAM BARRY
Volunteer / Resident Artist
Sam is a well established tattoo artist in Belfast. As a resident artist Sam facilitates workshops and provides large scale murals for many local business and community groups. To Sam, everything is a canvas.
Boo BURTON
Volunteer / Bboy
Brian, aka Boo, is Belfast's longest active breaker, having started breaking in the late 80s as part of Belfast City Breakers. 40 Years later Boo is still promoting breakin', guiding the new generation with his wisdom after all these years, while also helping to manage our creative space.
Aidy Mclaughlin
Volunteer / Event Manager
The man behind Plan-B, and our champion fundraiser. Originally a member of Belfast City Breakers, Aidy now runs and promotes Plan-B in memory of David Anderson. Aidy's efforts with Plan-B helps fund a lot of what we do here at 5th Element.
paul haywire
Volunteer / Videographer / DJ
Haywire by name, Haywire by nature. Haywire volunteers his time as an in-house videographer. When there is a drone flying through, you know Paul is about. He is also an accomplished DJ and event organiser, known for his high energy raves.
Niall Smyth
Volunteer / Resident Artist
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Niall, also known as Track2, is a resident artist at 5th Element, known for his unique stencil based artworks, as well as having painted many community hubs and schools with large scale murals.
SEBa krezel
Trustee / Bboy / Volunteer
Member of Northern Soles Crew, and trustee of 5th Element, Sebastian brings 20+ years of breaking experience to 5th Element. 'Seba' is also on the committee for BreakingIreland, the official Irish body helping Irish Bboys and Bgirls make it to the Olympics.
A brief history
5th Element NI was founded by Terry Conlon and Paul Ashford in 2018. The idea was to set up a charity organisation to promote HipHop culture as an alternative means to creativity and self expression. The first step was to unite the HipHop elements in Belfast. ​5th Element NI brought together some of the most influential names in Belfast's HipHop scene, launched a 'HipHop Hub' and the rest is history.
Since its inception 5th Element has grown from strength to strength, as a result of the incredible people who have dedicated their time to support its vision. As a result we have entertained, taught, and inspired 1000s of people with music, dance & art through community engagement projects, events, and workshops, as well as supporting a ton of local creatives.
resident projects
At 5th Element NI we also run our own in house projects.
More info coming soon.
SKANK FM
RADIO
Established in 2010, Skank FM is a 24/7 online radio station featuring live evening shows and curated playlists across various genres, fostering a diverse musical community and supporting local and underground scenes.
SkankFM actively promotes emerging talent, providing opportunities for Irish artists through various platforms. In late 2019, Skank FM partnered with 5th Element Charity, emphasising its commitment to supporting individuals from all backgrounds in embracing and creating quality music.
PLAN B
Plan B is a series of private fundraiser events run by Aidy McLaughlin. Plan B showcases some of the best local talent from Belfast's underground electronic dance music scene. These events not only pay tribute to the influential DJs and producers who have made a mark on the region but also inspire new talent, while growing a community of veteran party goers.
Esteemed artists like David Anderson (RIP), Timmy Stewart, Jonny McAllister, Ramie Burns, Simon Sheldon, David Holmes, and Iain McCready lend their support to the 5th Element NI project, recognising its importance in nurturing grassroots creativity.
NORTHERN SOLES CRU
Northern Soles Crew (NSC) is a long standing Bboy crew based in Belfast. Following on from their predecessors, the Belfast City Breakers, NSC continues to fly the flag for HipHop culture and the art of breakin’ in Belfast and across Ireland. From running international Bboy events, to performing, teaching, and battling across Europe, to starting launching 5th Element NI, and now sitting on the committee of the Irish Olympic Breaking Team, NSC are endlessly proactive when it comes to pushing the scene forward.
They embrace the mantra of ‘Each one, teach one’ and continue to engage the younger generations that follow, hoping to instil the same values that HipHop has offered them.
more artist profiles coming soon
We hope to update our website with more artist profiles, services, and even merch.