Black British Dynasties in Music: A Family Affair is a powerful new exhibition currently on display at the Barbican Music Library.
Hosted by the Black Music Collection, the selection of especially commissioned photographs feature some familiar faces who happen to be related and are moving and shaking in the music industry.
Taken by iconic photographers Nathaniel Bailey and Dennis Morris, the photos are also accompanied by audio interviews from broadcaster Rob Bruce.
They celebrated a successful launch on October 31st, a recap video for which you can see below, with the free-to-enter exhibition running until 25th January 2023.
Black Music Coalition executive member, Char Grant, said, “This is about joining the dots of legacy, which is something that has not been possible for a lot of people in the black musical community and indeed, black communities at large, for various reasons.
“They have been unable to tell a story of their experiences in a way that connects to a bigger picture which would show quite how seminal many of their contributions to music have been, so this exhibition is about being able to tell their stories which are all at once their family legacies and our shared legacies.”
Be sure to head down to the Barbican to check out the exhibition ASAP. You can see the families featured in full below too.
@nathanielbaileyphotography @dennismcevoymorris and @blackmusiccoalition for more on those involved too.
· Matty Brown and Nicky Brown
(Stormzy, Little Simz, Pa Salieu, AJ Tracey, Dave, Emeli Sande, Sugababes, Not3s, Shakka)
· TSB and Maestro The Baker
(J Hus – Big Conspiracy, Dave, Stormzy, Loski, Ama Lou, Headie One)
· Haile Alexander and Ras Kassa PRGRSHN Alexander
(Tiana Major9, Angel, Roll Deep, WSTRN)
· Tre Jean Marie and Lincoln Jean Marie
(Mabel, Craig David, Kaytranda, Ella Eyre, Kamille, Piece by Piece)
· Kwame Kwaten and Namali Kwaten
(D’Influence, Shola Ama, Ego Ella May, Pip Millett, Sampa the Great, Kojey Radical, Angelique Kidjo)
· Jonathan Mensah (Jae5) and Kruddz & ODG (NSG)
(J Hus, Dave, Skepta, NSG – Roots, Burna Boy)
· Michelle Escoffery and Shaun Escoffery
(Liberty X, All Saints, Beverley Knight, Truce, Shaun Escoffery – Days Like This)
· Mo Samuels and Harmony Samuels
(Alesha Dixon, Craig David, Ella Mai, Krept and Konan, Wretch 32)
· Alexandra Burke and her posthumous tribute to her mother, Melissa Bell