The Music is Black: A British Story

Description

Black British music has been thesoundtrack to periods of profound political, social, cultural and demographicchange. It is the music of identity, indefatigability, resistance, anger,celebration, love, loss; it is the music of possibility and hope. Opening with an exploration of the sound and identity of theAfrican diaspora as shaped by the tumultuous forces of British imperialism andcolonialism from the 1400s to 1900, Jacqueline Springer then surveys the blackmusical landscape in Britain from 1900 to 1970. Two major imports – American rap and Jamaican ragga- are singled out for their vital contributions to the homegrowngenres central to the publication: Lovers Rock, Brit Funk, 2 Tone, Jungle,Drum & Bass, Trip Hop and UK Garage and Grime. Each genre is then considered with an academic framing ofits social and political landscape and artist interviews that include, CarrollThompson, Neville Staple, Kenny Wellington, BlueyMaunick, Fabio and Grooverider, Skye Edwards and Ross Godfrey ofMorcheeba, Megaman, DJ Target and Slimzee. Epic in scope and personalrecollection, The Musicis Black bears witnessto the resilience, ingenuity and heart of all those who create.