One of the most talked about issues in recent years surrounds the usage of the term “black”. There is tension over the use of an adjective (a physical descriptor) to describe a culture. We have recently seen how Sadiq Khan’s recent announcement of a new Black cultural event
This was great, I enjoyed reading this. A nuanced take on things and something I’ve wondered about myself.
I wonder also how much the evolution of the vocabulary around race in recent years (probably deriving from America) also affects this question. An example of what I mean would be Jungle, which you talk about.
If you go back and watch documentaries and read interviews about it from the early 90’s, the Jamaican sound system roots were always talked about (it’s how I got into dub reagge - just following that line from Jungle) but the scene itself, was often talked described as being multi-cultural. Which it was. When I started going in the early 2000’s, it really was a representation of working class London and the surrounding counties.
These days, I don’t think it would be described that way anymore, it would described as ‘black music’ or ‘black british.’ Personally, I think they’re both valid.
Either way, great stuff, look forward to reading more of your work
I think this subject could have been explore from all sort of angles. However, yes, truthfully - Jungle genre is really a reflection of multicultural London however in common parlance we would refer to it as 'black music'. However, more than anything, it is a distinctly British sound. You are not hearing this sort of music anywhere in the world.
Your comment is much appreciated. This is a topic that I hope delve in further - particularly with regards to the UK.
This was great, I enjoyed reading this. A nuanced take on things and something I’ve wondered about myself.
I wonder also how much the evolution of the vocabulary around race in recent years (probably deriving from America) also affects this question. An example of what I mean would be Jungle, which you talk about.
If you go back and watch documentaries and read interviews about it from the early 90’s, the Jamaican sound system roots were always talked about (it’s how I got into dub reagge - just following that line from Jungle) but the scene itself, was often talked described as being multi-cultural. Which it was. When I started going in the early 2000’s, it really was a representation of working class London and the surrounding counties.
These days, I don’t think it would be described that way anymore, it would described as ‘black music’ or ‘black british.’ Personally, I think they’re both valid.
Either way, great stuff, look forward to reading more of your work
Many thanks for reading Paul!
I think this subject could have been explore from all sort of angles. However, yes, truthfully - Jungle genre is really a reflection of multicultural London however in common parlance we would refer to it as 'black music'. However, more than anything, it is a distinctly British sound. You are not hearing this sort of music anywhere in the world.
Your comment is much appreciated. This is a topic that I hope delve in further - particularly with regards to the UK.