Black music from the UK has shaped the sound of modern Britain for generations, influencing everything from reggae and jungle to grime, drill, and UK rap. To celebrate and explore this legacy, Complex UK is partnering with an exhibition «"Music is African American Music: A British History"» The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) hosted a special panel discussion at ELAM, celebrating the artists, communities, and cultural movements that continue to shape Black British music today. The discussion featured leading music industry figures—Darcus Busy, Shanice Charvey, Comali Scott-Jones, and Alec Boateng—who shared their personal connections to Black British music and how this culture continues to evolve today. From pirate radio and soundsystem culture to YouTube freestyles and digital platforms, the conversation explored how creativity has often thrived amidst constraints, resistance, and self-created opportunities. The discussion also explored issues of identity, activism, and representation in the industry, highlighting the importance of celebrating leaders, organizers, and creatives who have historically gone unnoticed. . Music is Black: A British History« , Spanning over 125 years of British music history, the event celebrated not only world-renowned artists but also the communities, innovators, and behind-the-scenes figures who continually pushed the culture forward. Ultimately, the discussion recognized British music not as a fringe phenomenon, but as a defining force in British cultural history and a vital part of its future. Click play above and enjoy these masterpieces.
Image courtesy of Henry Goodfellow.
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