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The impact of African and Caribbean music on British culture
To celebrate Black History Month in line with 2024’s theme ‘Reclaiming Narratives’, Judge & Priestley has produced three articles looking at the contribution of Black people in Britain over the last hundred years in all walks of life from the armed forces to music and entertainment, to reinvigorating local communities. In this third piece, we examine the extraordinary contribution of the Black community in influencing and developing popular music styles in Britain.
African and Caribbean music has had a profound and lasting impact on British culture, particularly in the post-war period. Genres such as reggae, ska, calypso, and Afrobeat have not only enriched the UK’s musical landscape but also played a crucial role in shaping social and cultural identity, especially within Black British communities. Over the decades, these musical styles have influenced fashion, language, and social attitudes, helping to forge a unique multicultural heritage in Britain.
The arrival of the Windrush Generation in 1948 marked the beginning of a significant cultural exchange between the Caribbean and Britain. With them, these immigrants brought the vibrant sounds of calypso, a genre rooted in African musical traditions and the Caribbean’s colonial history.
Artists like Lord Kitchener and Mighty Sparrow became household names, with their music offering both entertainment and a means of articulating the experiences of Caribbean people in the UK. Songs like Lord Kitchener’s "London is the Place for Me" captured the optimism of the Caribbean immigrants, while others reflected the challenges of integration and identity in a new country.
Calypso music quickly gained popularity, not just among the Caribbean diaspora but also within the wider British public. Its catchy rhythms and socially conscious lyrics resonated with audiences and provided a platform for Caribbean artists to express their identity and critique societal issues. Calypso’s influence extended beyond music and into the burgeoning Black British cultural scene, particularly in London. This genre became a foundational sound at the Notting Hill Carnival, which remains one of the largest and most vibrant celebrations of Caribbean culture in the world today.
In the 1960s, ska and rocksteady, two genres that originated in Jamaica, began to make their mark on British music. These genres laid the groundwork for the development of reggae, which would become one of the most influential musical styles in the UK. Artists like Desmond Dekker and The Wailers, fronted by Bob Marley, brought reggae to British shores. Although Marley was Jamaican, his influence on the British music scene was immense, and he became a symbol of resistance and empowerment for Black Britons.
In the UK, reggae was embraced by both Black and white audiences, contributing to its widespread popularity. It became the soundtrack for the struggles and aspirations of Black Britons, addressing themes of oppression, resistance, and empowerment. Reggae also helped foster cross-cultural understanding as white British youths began to adopt elements of the genre. This cross-cultural exchange was particularly evident in the rise of 2 Tone, a musical movement that emerged in the late 1970s and early 1980s, blending elements of ska, punk, and reggae.
The Specials, a notable band in the 2 Tone movement, were a perfect example of how black and white musicians came together to create something culturally and socially significant. The Specials, with hits like "Ghost Town," not only achieved commercial success but also used their music to address issues of urban decay, unemployment, and racial tensions in Britain.
Their racially integrated lineup sent a powerful message about unity and social cohesion at a time when far-right groups like the National Front were gaining ground. Through their music and collaborations, The Specials helped to combat prejudice and foster a sense of solidarity between black and white communities.
The influence of reggae also extended beyond the genre itself, shaping fashion, language, and social attitudes in the UK. The rise of sound systems in Britain, often run by Jamaican immigrants, became a cultural phenomenon. These mobile setups transformed street corners and community halls into spaces of musical expression and social gathering. The sound system culture gave birth to new musical genres such as dub and later jungle and drum and bass, which continue to influence the UK's underground music scene today.
African music styles have similarly left an indelible mark on British culture. Genres such as highlife, afrobeat, and soukous were brought to the UK by African immigrants, particularly from West Africa. Artists like Fela Kuti, the father of Afrobeat, gained a dedicated following in the UK, influencing a new generation of musicians. His politically charged music resonated with young Brits, especially during the rise of activism in the 1970s and 80s. The incorporation of African rhythms into British music contributed to the growing cultural diversity and helped broaden the scope of what could be considered "British" music.
The 1990s saw the emergence of the MOBO Awards (Music of Black Origin), an event that celebrates the achievements of Black artists in Britain and beyond. The MOBO Awards have been instrumental in promoting African and Caribbean music, giving a platform to genres such as reggae, hip-hop, R&B, and grime. Artists like Ms. Dynamite, Craig David, and Stormzy have all been recognised by the MOBOs, further highlighting the ongoing influence of Black music on British culture.
From the underground scenes of grime and UK hip-hop to the mainstream success of artists like Stormzy, the sounds of the African and Caribbean diaspora continue to shape and redefine British culture. The fusion of African and Caribbean music with British styles has created a rich and diverse musical heritage that reflects the multicultural fabric of the UK.
This cross-cultural exchange is not just a feature of the music industry but also a testament to how music can act as a tool for social cohesion and cultural understanding. By blending musical traditions, black and white musicians have been able to combat prejudice and foster unity, making music one of the most powerful forms of cultural expression in the UK.
