The V&A East Museum's groundbreaking exhibition, 'The Music Is Black: A British Story', is a testament to the profound impact of black music on the UK's cultural landscape. This immersive experience takes visitors on a journey through 125 years of black British music, showcasing how imported genres like jazz, reggae, and blues have shaped the nation's distinct sounds. What makes this exhibition truly remarkable is its ability to intertwine the personal with the political, the artistic with the historical, and the musical with the social. One of the most striking exhibits is Stormzy's stab-proof vest, designed by Banksy and emblazoned with the Union Jack. This powerful statement, made by the first British rapper to headline Glastonbury, is displayed near the end of the exhibition, illustrating how music can address issues of national identity, street crime, and prejudice. The vest is a symbol of ambition pursued against legal restrictions, moral constraints, and racial discrimination, and it serves as a reminder of the beauty of street art, graffiti, and rap music in challenging us to confront difficult issues. The exhibition frames Stormzy's statement in a historical context of protest and rebellion, and it takes visitors on a cross-continental, decades-long journey, showing how music from Africa and the Caribbean was shaped by colonialism and religion, then transported to the UK, where it took on new life. Before rock and roll's rebellion, there was jazz, and jazz's rebellion emerged from the blues, which is a stripped-down, less churchified incarnation of gospel. This historical context is crucial in understanding the evolution of black music in the UK, and it sets the stage for the exhibition's exploration of how black music has underpinned popular music in America and Northwest Europe. Another highlight of the exhibition is Winifred Atwell's battle-scarred upright piano. This instrument, bought in a second-hand shop, was used by the Trinidad-born musician to compose 'Let's Have Another Party', which became the UK's first number one single by a black artist in 1954. The piano is pockmarked with graffiti, etched into its body by fans at Atwell's request, showing how she broke down racial barriers to become one of the UK's most prominent musicians. The exhibition also features original sketches for the 2-Tone record label logo, the Nintendo console used by grime star JME to make his first tracks, and the dress Dame Shirley Bassey wore for an Oscars' tribute to James Bond. The exhibition is not just a collection of artifacts; it is a living, breathing experience. Specially-programmed headsets react to the environment, creating a personalized DJ Mix as the music evolves from juke joints and jazz clubs to reggae nights, carnival, and pirate radio. As visitors walk through the exhibition, they are immersed in the sounds and rhythms that have shaped black music in the UK. The exhibition illustrates how early reggae bands were championed by venues like the Four Aces, founded by Newton Dunbar in East London. Their success birthed British genres like Lover's Rock, Brit Funk, Drum and Bass, and Garage, and it reflects the findings of a recent report by UK Music, which stated that black music accounted for 80% of the UK music industry's £30bn revenue over the last three decades. The exhibition is a powerful testament to the enduring legacy of black music in the UK, and it serves as a reminder of the importance of documenting and celebrating this rich cultural heritage. In my opinion, the V&A East Museum has created a truly remarkable experience that will inspire and educate visitors for years to come. The exhibition is a celebration of the unique style of black music in the UK, and it is a testament to the power of art to penetrate and get through, even in the face of legal restrictions, moral constraints, and racial discrimination. The Music Is Black: A British Story is a must-see for anyone interested in the history of music and the cultural impact of black music in the UK. It is a powerful reminder of the importance of art in challenging us to confront difficult issues and in celebrating the beauty of diversity and creativity.
